The Steamboat Pilot & Today

The difference between the students of the millennial generation and the students of an earlier time really hit home recently, when I saw an old book laying on the coffee table at a friend’s house. The book was a 1971 publication of “Be Here Now” by Ram Dass — a book that I would categorize as pseudo-spirituality. As the title implies, a general theme of the book is a contemplative approach to living life fully by learning to appreciate every moment. “Be Here Now” was reflective of the culture (maybe a subculture) that stands in stark contrast to the millennial generation. Today, a typical culture of traditional-aged college students is to be everywhere all at once.

Internet-linked laptops, iPods and other forms of technology have made college life a multiplier of possibilities that are being explored continually. Even during class time in some courses and for some students, the Internet-linked laptop is too enticing. Some students have been seen surfing the ’Net, catching up on e-mails and engaging in text messaging while listening to a lecture or participating in a class discussion. And it is interesting to observe how fast students reach for their cell phones and iPods after class. They apparently have had enough of the “be here now” and need to be elsewhere for a while.

As much as I admire this high-tech, multi-tasking generation and admire its quest to absorb as much life as possible, I see two dangers in the new culture of learning. The first danger is displacing the immediate community with an electronically created surrogate community. An important aspect of a holistic education is learning to build effective relationships. There is no adequate substitute for the face-to-face personal interaction with other people, and especially interaction with people with diverse backgrounds.

The second danger is that it is impossible to be everywhere all at once and listen at the same time. And listening is an important life skill that seems to be increasingly lost in this fast-paced, high-tech culture. In the “busyness” of life, there are a lot of cries for help — both individually and collectively. Humanity is suffering, and no one seems to be listening.

If there’s one thing that I would carry over from the contemplative “be here now” culture to help the “be everywhere” generation make a difference in the world, it would be to help students balance their high-velocity motion with an ability to listen ­— really listen.

Dr. Kerry Hart is dean of Colorado Mountain College’s Alpine Campus in Steamboat Springs. Contact him at 870-4414 or khart@coloradomtn.edu.