Beloit College Public Affairs Director Emeritus Ron Neif says the annual release of his “Mind Set” list may have become an international phenomenon, but its origins were educational. The list highlights how different the reference point of world understanding is for freshman compared to their professors. Neif says one difference for this year’s freshman is they were born in a new millennium. Other revelations include how visits to a physical bank are rare for this generation, but school shootings all too common. The list also highlights political differences. For 18-year-olds, U.S. Presidents often win the popular vote, but lose the election. Young adults also have only known Afghanistan as embroiled in military conflict, they’ve never used a “spit bowl” at the dentist, and movies have always been available on the Internet.
