Gaga Has Never Been Baby Talk: The Mindset List is Back!

For the Class of 2017, GM means food that is Genetically Modified, Java has never been just a cup of coffee, and Washington, D.C., tour buses have never been able to drive in front of the White House.

It’s back!

Beloit College has released the Mindset List with 57 more observations about the cultural reference points of fall’s entering class of freshmen. Since 1998, the Wisconsin college has marked the beginning of a new academic year with publication of this list of cultural touchstones for the incoming class. The brainchild of Beloit’s former Public Affairs Director Ron Nief and Keefer Professor of the Humanities Tom McBride, the Mindset List was originally created as a reminder to faculty to be aware of dated references.

Here are some of this year’s highlights:

Eminem and LL Cool J could show up at parents’ weekend.

Gaga has never been baby talk.

Captain Janeway has always taken the USS Voyager where no woman or man has ever gone before.

They are the sharing generation, having shown tendencies to share everything, including possessions, no matter how personal.

For more insights, see the entire Mindset List here.