Generation Me Rhetorical Analysis

Over 75% of 12-17 year-olds own a cell phone, according to a recent study performed by Pew Research Center. (Madden) This percentage is a dramatic increase from just decades ago. The image “Mobile Phones for Teenagers” shows how many members of Generation Me interact with technology. This image utilizes the Aristotelian appeal to pathos and shows how obsessed with technology Gen Me’ers are, as pointed out by Dr. Jean Twenge in her book Generation Me. In the image, there are four teenagers; two boys and two girls, probably around age 16 to 18. They are standing against a brown, brick wall outside all staring at their cell phones, which look like smartphones. One of the boys is smiling, the other boy and one of the girls looks confused,
and the other girl looks interested in whatever is on her phone. They are all leaning against the wall and look relaxed. One of the girls is wearing a light blue tank top and a pair of blue jeans, and the other girl is wearing a gray dress. Then, one of the boys is wearing a white and gray striped long sleeve shirt and a pair of blue jeans, and the other boy is wearing a brown t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. All of them have brown hair, expect the girl in the dress who has blonde hair. They could all possibly be texting each other, or just their other friends. Both of the girls have similar posture, one arm holding phone and other arm across stomach. The boy in the brown shirt has his foot up against the wall and his finger in his pocket. The boy in the long sleeve shirt is holding his phone with one hand and has the other arm down at his side. It can be seen that none of them is interested in each other as much as they are their phones. This image depicts many Gen Me’ers relationship with technology. (Mobile) This image described appeals to members of Generation Me. The people in this picture look like they are from Generation Me, because of their age and the fact that they are all on their cell phones. It shows their lack of in-person communication skills. Many Gen Me’ers are used to just texting or calling, as opposed to always talking in person. It also shows their obsession with technology. The majority of Gen Me’ers use some type of technology, such as a cell phone, computer, video game, etc. This image also appeals to older generations, including Baby Boomers. Many adults also own cell phones, and some people are constantly on them. In today’s society, there is a large portion of people that are obsessed with their cell phones, and just technology in general. Gen Me’ers and Baby Boomers are the target audience of this photo.
After viewing this image, Baby Boomers and members of Generation Me will be influenced by the photographer’s use of Aristotelian appeals. The photographer uses pathos to appeal to the viewers’ emotions. This picture shows older generations, such as Baby Boomers, how Gen Me’ers interact with technology. Also, this picture depicts how teenagers are always on their phones, even when others are around. This can often come off as offensive to others and cause them to feel like they are being ignored. For members of older generations that do not use cell phones, this may make them angry seeing how Generation Me acts. The photographer’s use of pathos reaches out to members of all generations.
Furthermore, these Aristotelian appeals help to analyze the image.
The background of this image is a brown, brick wall. This wall may signify the walls that are put in between people sometimes due to technology. If someone is too obsessed with technology, then they may lose contact with the outside world causing him or her to lose friends. The main colors that are used are from the teen’s clothing, although none of the colors are bright. The dull colors for their clothes were probably chosen so they would not distract the viewer from the main point of the image, the cell phones. Equally important, there are no words on this image. The photographer probably found it unnecessary to add words since this is a self-explanatory photo. The viewer is able to see that these teenagers are clearly more interested in their phones than in each other. It is four teenagers standing next to each other; there are two boys and two girls who are all dressed casually. There is probably a mixture of each gender to show that this technology obsession is not specific to either sex. The camera angle is straight on, making it able to see each person’s face. Since the angle is straight on, it is able to see that each of the teenagers’ eyes is on their phone. This image represents how Gen Me’ers are always on their cell phones. They are so attached to technology that they are unable to focus on the real world that is surrounding them. Also, Gen Me’ers are more obsessed with what is
going on in other’s lives instead of just worrying about themselves. Analyzing this picture leads us to see how Gen Me’ers use technology.
By analyzing this image, the connection between the image and Twenge’s ideas about Gen Me can be seen.
This is mostly discussed in chapter 5 of Generation Me. The image shows that our current culture is too obsessed with technology. Many teenagers are more interested in their cell phones, instead of the people around them. “Media saturation has had an impact on GenMe”. (Twenge 146) These advances in technology are not always a positive thing, there are some negatives. Some members of Generation Me may be abusing technology, by constantly using it. When these teenagers are constantly on their phones, they are not gaining any in-person communication skills. They are also ignoring the people next to them by always being on their phones. “When we’re not watching TV, we’re on the Internet, sometimes on traditional new offshoots like cnn.com but other times trolling through places where we have to wear our skepticism cap at every moment”. (Twenge 146) Some members of Gen Me are guilty to believing everything they read or hear. There are many things on the Internet that are made up, so it is important to be skeptical of what is believed. Twenge states, “Generation Me’s external beliefs are somewhat ironic considering the better health and safety we enjoy. Our generation has never been drafted to fight in a war. Life expectancy is at an all-time high, and advances in medical technology and pharmaceuticals make our lives better”. (149) The technological advances do
have some benefits, as long as they are not abused. This image helps portray Twenge’s view of Gen Me’ers.
In conclusion, this image allows someone to see how many members of Generation Me are obsessed with technology. All of this technology overload may lead to our society going downhill eventually. Members of Generation Me need to make sure they are not abusing technology. Many teenagers should work on spending less time on their phones.