Hip First Globals™

OMG: Slang is Invading Everyday English! claims a recent article posted on NPR.com. David Crystal, a professor of Linguistics quoted in the article, says he “see(s) a brand new variety of language evolving, invented really by young people... It's extraordinary.” A more diverse media and entertainment industry has also contributed to the similarly diverse slang used by First Globals™.

Take a moment to listen to First Globals™ (and yourself) and you may notice that despite differing backgrounds, certain catch phrases and slang that were once common among one community have become more widely accepted.

What are some specific examples of catch phrases or slang that you have accepted into your vocabulary which were previously outside of your network? How did it become a habit? Is slang something you are likely to use in both formal and informal situations and how important is it to your identity?

What happened to the mall?

A recent article in Newsweek magazine poses the question: is the mall dead? The article notes that last year was the first year in half a century where a new indoor mall did not open somewhere in the country. Another recent article notes the high retail vacancy rate in regional malls. Others write that fast-growing “lifestyle centers” – open-air developments that contain some mix of shopping, office space, entertainment, outdoor parks, recreational facilities and housing – are replacing regional and local malls as the new shopping destination of choice.

However, the Newsweek article lays some of the blame for traditional malls’ decline on anti-consumption and pro-environment and fair labor sentiments held by the public. They report that 40% of First Globals prefer to purchase items that are “socially conscious” – ie, environmentally safe and produced through fair labor – and that traditional malls have little to offer that fits this description.

What do you think? Is the rise in the anti-consumption and pro-environment attitudes detailed by Newsweek responsible for the waning fortunes of shopping malls, or are factors like the growth of lifestyle centers and Internet shopping more responsible? Does the economic uncertainty of consumers mean that all shopping centers (and not just malls) are likely to close or have economic difficulties of their own? With the holiday season fast approaching, where do you plan to do most of your shopping – in a mall, or elsewhere?

A voluntary response

When asked whether they have volunteered in their community in the past year, First Globals are the most likely of any generation surveyed to say they have -- 64.7% of First Globals volunteered, compared to 58.6% of those 30-49, 59.5% of those 50-64, and 58.1% of those over 65.

Why would First Globals be more likely to volunteer – do they have more free time? More energy? A greater sense of civic responsibility? More dedication to various causes? Other reasons? As this generation grows older, will they still volunteer in high numbers?

Edited to add:

One of commenters wonders how First Globals' patterns of volunteering vary by political ideology. Arthur Brooks, a scholar at Syracuse University and the author of Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth about Compassionate Conservatism, has made a convincing case that self-identified conservatives are more likely to give to charity, volunteer, and civically engage with their communities than self-identified liberals.

However, when we analyze the responses to our question about volunteering by both age and ideology, our data for this question does not support Brooks' theory. 68.6% of First Globals who say their ideology is progressive or liberal have volunteered, compared to 67.9% of First Globals who say their ideology is moderate, 52.6% of First Globals who say their ideology is conservative or very conservative, and 54% of those who say their ideology is libertarian.

Similarly, of First Globals who identify themselves as Democrats, 74.1% have volunteered, compared to 59.4% of First Global Republicans and 52.3% of First Global Independents.

You are what you eat

For some people, what they choose to eat is linked to a greater environmental philosophy. For other people, food is just food, or the cost of eating with the environment in mind is prohibitively high. There is some indication that First Globals are no different than the rest of the population when it comes to their views on this issue. When asked whether they cared if their milk was hormone-free, 48.3% of First Globals either said yes or yes, but they will drink conventional milk occasionally. More than half (52.4%) of those 30-49, 50% of those 50-64, and 39.2% of those over 65 also felt this way.

We often assume that young people are more environmentally-minded. So why, then, is this an issue that seems to have little correlation with age? Or is the assumption that young people are more environmental incorrect?

Edited to add:
You can find some additional information and perspectives on the hormone-free milk debate here, here , and here. And according to this article from the Los Angeles Times, hormone-free milk can cost up to $1.50 more per half gallon than conventional milk.

Looking for love online?

First Globals’ love of technology does not extend to using technology as a matchmaker. Though some might say that online dating and social networking sites make it easier to connect to potential romantic partners with similar interests and values, First Globals are still fairly traditional about the best way to meet a significant other -- 62.6% of First Globals say the best way is through mutual friends, while only 5.6% say the best way is through online dating and social networking sites. These are almost the same percentages as all other age groups.


Why do so many people believe traditional methods of meeting new partners are better than connecting online? Why do online dating sites seem to be the choice of last resort for many who are looking for love?