Tip of my tongue

Tonight I was telling Steve about my statistics lab, and how my 30-something comrade Bryn and I are the only ones who will open our mouths AT ALL. To answer a question, to ask a question, to read a question out loud -- whatever. We'll wait for a while in awkward silence while no one says anything, and then one of us pipe up to help the poor TA out with a response. None of the teens and twenty-somethings seem to think their silence is rude or in any way out-of-the-norm. They have no expectation whatsoever that they should be participating in our small group discussion.

SO, Bryn and I -- in our old-ladyish, momly wisdom -- have chalked it up to a generational thing. And I was telling Steve this, but I couldn't and still can't remember the word that I want to use to describe this generation of reticent college students. Help me? The word means: expectant that they are deserving of everything. It's killing me that I can't remember. It can be used to describe a generation, Americans, children who demand allowance, and so on. Refresh my memory and I will make my very next blog post all about YOU!

Much thanks.

Also, on an unrelated note, Bryn expressed a theory today that might have some credibility. Tell me what you think. It is that men who wear bowties are predominately Democrat or liberal in political views. Hmmm. The only person I can think of right off is my friend Lindy's husband Keith Johnson, and from what I know of Lindy, I think he safely falls in that category (whether or not he thought the girl he just met at church on Sunday would be posting his presumed political ideology on the world-wide interweb for all to consider). Bowties = Democrat?

Comments

Emily said…
Ha! I just remembered the word! I won't tell you what it is yet in case someone can come up with it and get their very own dedicated blog post. I have a feeling it will be my mom.
Courtney said…
i was going to say entitled too. does amy win her own blog post?
Carina said…
I'm going to blow your theory out of the water:

Tucker Carlson.
amyraye said…
it's the technology-addicted generation; they're completely tuned out to the human world.
They have no need or desire to communicate in a real way; it's all through texting, cell phones, e-mail, etc.
can't believe you're taking a stats class right now! I can't imagine adding that to my busy life.
abby said…
in all fairness, i remember being in statistics and being much to stupid to volunteer any information or even ask a coherent question.

doesn't george f. will wear a bowtie?
Lindy Johnson said…
yes, you are correct. keith is a raging liberal!
Lindy Johnson said…
p.s.
like azucar, i'm not sure the theory holds water. i mean, George Will wears a bowtie all the time.
Richard said…
Number me among the throngs who was going to say "entitled".

Speaking of numbers, I loved "The Wisdom of Crowds", and would like to read "Fooled by Randomness" and "The Black Swan"

Despite 3 stat classes, I still have no idea what heteroscedaticity means...
austinmcraig said…
Entitled was the word I was going with too.

Emily, I'll have to get your help when I'm taking stats this summer via independent study. it's the last class I have to take to get a degree.

And I don't think it's generational. Stats is a required course, or at least it fulfills a general ed requirement. I think you have a classroom full of people who don't want to be there and don't care about the subject.

You, on the other hand, do. I think that's your difference.
amyegodfrey said…
I got here late. Entitled. I'm sure it will cycle the other way eventually. It has to.
Emily said…
Entitled.

What about specifically Provo, UT residents who wear bowties?
amyraye said…
i happened to be checking my blogs just at the right time to get the word first, but i'd much rather read a post about amyE instead of amy. let's give her the benefit of the doubt and call her the winner.
neil said…
Maybe bow ties are universally worn by nerdy political minorities of a certain non-threateningly rebellious stripe. So in Washington you get conservatives like George Will and Tucker Carlson, and in Provo you get your progressive Keith Johnson types.
Emily said…
Yeah, Neil, I'm going with that.
AmyJune said…
A stats class? Really? Are you going for degree number 2? Pray tell.
Sarah said…
Here's the real question: How do you/we raise children that do not feel a sense of entitlement?

And, on a bigger level, are Americans ENTITLED to the financial bailout that is coming down the pipes? It sounds like many people think they deserve a lower mortgage, an easy way out, etc.
amyegodfrey said…
You're nice to say that, AmY, but we'd much rather hear about you! Anyway, you won!!!
Amy said…
I was thinking more about Orville Redenbocker and Colonel Sanders who both wear ties (I'm guessing their both southern Dems).
Sarah- most importantly, how do we train out children not to wear bowties?
Jord said…
Dave Magelby, lives in Provo, Democrat. Kelly Patterson, Democrat. Other political science professors from the university who wear bow ties, Democrats. The theory is true. ;)
pam said…
Several have already said it, but I too thought of entitled.
brandi said…
oooh, i see i got here way to late to answer your ? that is so great you are taking a stats class, what was i thinking not getting my degree before this baby? -nat told me to visit abby's blog so i'm hoping to link up from here, and so you don't forget- third fri of every month. oh and i do hope we are planning to do some socializing this summer- i do live right by af canyon -maybe some tinfoil dinners:)and i think bowtie=democrat ? -maybe in utah, but elsewhere i don't think so, or ya what neil said;)
Kijuana said…
Emily, I have to add my late divergent opinion here. When I lived in DC, there were heards of (mostly) black muslims that sported the bow ties with pride. Alas, their views were mainly conservative....sorry to partially debunk your theory. It may hold true in other areas, i.e. Tucker Carlson.

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