Instant gratification... today's generation thrives on it. With news being readily available 24 hours a day, on tv and over the internet almost as it happens, instant messaging and emails, and resources readily available, a lot of the young people of today don't know what it's like to wait.

When I was growing up in the Midwest, news was televised twice daily, at 6 pm and 10 pm. Special reports happened only when something earth-shattering occurred, such as President Kennedy's assassination. Or, we had to wait until the next day to read it in the newspaper. In my parent's day, there were newsreels before the movie at the theater. Now, there are 24 hour news channels, and it seems like there are special reports every time anything out the ordinary happens.

I remember waiting anxiously for the mailman to see if I had a letter from my best friend from summer camp, or a birthday card from grandma. Now, the only mail I get is bills... the letters and cards are now all sent by email.

Because of the instant availability of almost everything, a lot of this generation gets upset and aggravated when they have to wait for anything. A lot of people think it is their right to have what they want now, without having to wait. I've witnessed this younger generation be rude to store clerks, waiters and waitresses, and even other customers because they had to wait.

I enjoy using the internet and having instant access to information just as much as the next person, but sometimes I think it gets a little ridiculous. These young kids... God, I'm starting to sound like my parents.