Narcissistic Praise Junkies

From Wired magazine (online). This is not quite a 'literary' entry (except for some helpful English-English translations provided) but it is a lot of fun. Download it by clicking here.

A US Navy recruitment PowerPoint presentation thinks of young American MySpace generation as a 'somewhat alien life force' whose language and lifestyle is 'almost unrecognizable to adults'. According to the presentation kids in America today are 'coddled' and 'narcissistic praise junkies' and that it will be 'beyond though' to make these 'millennials' join the armed forces.

This Annual Navy Workforce Research and Analysis Conference report also finds that 67% of them are 'less likely to join the military' because of the Iraq War.

The US Navy's typical kid today: 'has always been online', 'has never known a world without digital phones', and his 'best friend may be Chinese'. The report also says:

The Most-Praised Generation

• These kids grew up hearing nothing but praise, all the time, everywhere

• Recent childhood has been defined by ego-stroking

• Soccer trophy syndrome ... 'I am special'

• Can get disgruntled if not praised for simply 'showing up' at work

• 'Narcissistic Praise Junkies'

• Many young adults feel insecure if they are not regularly complimented

There is a lot more. This report is hilarious.