Generation Y's priorities

This is the article with the poll I talked about with some of you on Wednesday:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-01-09-views_x.htm

"The findings that this generation's top life goals are to be rich (81%) and famous (51%) contrast with a 1967 study of college freshmen in which 85.8% said it was essential to develop 'a meaningful philosophy of life,' while 41.9% thought it essential to be 'very well off financially.'"

I've also frequently heard the followup opinion to this finding: that the Baby Boomers coddled Gen X and Y, which is why we have a more materialistic outlook. Erstwhile, the generation that lived through the Great Depression didn't imbue Baby Boomers with a sense of valuing money, which I thought was interesting. (I don't suppose anyone would care to wager a guess about how this all falls into place?)

Actually, my main focus was the notion of 51% wanting fame. This is certainly apt given that we're attending Art Center (a school that has indeed given rise to various famous figures). Nonetheless, I've witnessed the shift towards sustainability (especially in the Transportation Design discipline) so there is some attempt to reel in the egos, so to speak.

I admit the idea of fame has its [sinister] grip on me: every week, I feel the pressure to come up with "the greatest design ever(!)" that will just floor everyone and put me on the path to getting hired. Ironically, the motivating force behind that motivation to be famous is the financial one (i.e. getting a return on your tuition investment)...

Hope to hear from y'all~

-Alejandro