‘state of despair’
courtesy of ‘redjoe’

One of my favorite lists that comes out every year is from researchers at Beloit College in Wisconsin. Based on pop culture research, the academians up north compile a list of things that incoming college freshmen have grown up understanding as truths. These include all of those television or technology trends they may not remember, or some things for which they are likely nostalgic.

Two D.C. mindsets stand out the most in this list of 75 items, and while the entire list is pretty entertaining (for example, this round of 18 year olds don’t know Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry, but as a sensitive director), here are two beltway thoughts to make you feel old while we’re at it:

71. The nation has never approved of the job Congress is doing.

72. One way or another, “It’s the economy, stupid” and always has been.

And the kicker: the class of 2014 was generally born in 1992. That’s scarier than anything on that list, if you ask me. What else do you see that’s a little frightening?

Dave Levy

Dave Levy is a PR guy by day, a media researcher on the side and a self-proclaimed geek. He blogs often about how traditional media adapts – or tries to adapt – to the growing digital media world at State of the Fourth Estate. You can follow Dave on Twitter for various updates about everything from sports from his previous home in Boston to eccentric and obscure pop culture references. Read why Dave loves D.C.