And this affects me how?

With empathy at an all-time low, Generation Y suffers from a "narcissismepidemic"

Finally putting credit to rumors about the current generation of youth being selfish bloodsuckers, a new University of Michigan study reports that since 2000, college students have become less empathetic than ever before.

The study states that compared to the late 1970s, students are less likely to agree with phrases like, "I sometimes try to understand my friends better by imagining how things look from their perspective," and "I often have tender, concerned feelings for people less fortunate than me." The research — conducted by Sara Konrath at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research — was just presented in Boston at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science.

Konrath based her findings off of surveys conducted with almost 14,000 college students over the past 30 years. According to Psychology Today, this is the largest study to date to quantify the decline.

"College kids today are about 40 percent lower in empathy than their counterparts of 20 or 30 years ago," she explains. "The increase in exposure to media during this time period could be one factor. Compared to 30 years ago, the average American now is exposed to three times as much non-work-related information. In terms of media content, this generation of college students grew up with video games, and a growing body of research, including work done by my colleagues at Michigan, is establishing that exposure to violent media numbs people to the pain of others."

The explosion in social media may also be to blame, as Konrath explains, "The ease of having 'friends' might make people more likely to just tune out when they don't feel like responding to others' problems, a behavior that could carry over offline."

A hyper-competitive academic atmosphere and inflated expectations of success, fostered by warped parenting techniques, may also be culprits. "College students today may be so busy worrying about themselves and their own issues that they don't have time to spend empathizing with others, or at least perceive such time to be limited," says Edward O'Brien, a graduate student who worked on the study.

The researchers are discussing a generation in which children were shuttled between extremely structured play dates and outdoor activities, in which they simply lacked the unstructured atmosphere that encourages understanding. These current college students were also raised under the pernicious notion that "you can't love anyone else until you love yourself."

Psychologist Jean Twenge has previously identified a "narcissism epidemic" among the identified population, with more students exhibiting selfish qualities and increases in traits that can lead to a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder — a condition in which people are so self-involved that other people are no more than objects to reflect their glory.

For those who happen to empathize with the researchers, eHow.com offers detailed instructions on how to increase empathy. Or, you can take the survey for yourself.

Speaking as somebody only one year out of college, I disagree wholeheartedly with the study's findings. Just this week, when my roommate was devastated by an ex unfollowing her on Twitter, I splurged on a new hallway mirror so that we can spend more time primping, thus avoiding painful breakups. Several times during college, when a friend (or even a frenemy) was struck with a mild case of alcohol poisoning, I offered my own bathtub as refuge.

I also remember my freshman year of college, when I first met my roommate — he had an antiquated iPod model, and I just felt so, so sorry for him. I was strong, and never shed a tear — but I was there for him, and years later, when he was gifted the iTouch months before me, I held my head high and bid him a warm, "Congratulations."

Despite a subsequent falling out (his girlfriend drank all of my Odwalla!), we are friends on Facebook to this day, and when I'm feeling extra empathetic, I'll wish him a heartfelt "Happy Birthday" on his profile wall.

This eruption of Gen-Y-phobia is cause for concern — it would be nice if the elderly could understand.

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washed out

Houston DJs remember pioneering music store that's closing after 50 years

Photo by Craig D. Lindsey

Soundswaves announced its imminent closure on Saturday, April 25.

The parking lot of the Soundwaves on 3509 Montrose was well-populated on Saturday, April 25. Earlier in the day, the record/skate/surf shop announced on Instagram that the store would be closing soon and all the merchandise was 50 percent off. Of course, people showed up to grab as many items – LPs, T-shirts, skate shoes – as they could, waiting in line as longtime owner Jeff Spargo rang up customers one-by-one.

Soundwaves was once Houston’s mightiest independent record-store chain, with locations all over the city (its South Main location was frequented by hip-hop heads like the late DJ Screw and famed producer/ex-employee DJ Premier). It all started in 1970 when a then-19-year-old Jeff Spargo opened the Inland Surf Shop in Westbury. Seven years later, he would open up his first Soundwaves near Hobby Airport. He would later merge surfing and sounds when he launched the Montrose location in 1997. An official closing date has yet to be announced, and CultureMap was unable to reach Spargo for comment.

As the new millennium introduced streaming-music platforms that made physical media almost obsolete, record chains like Soundwaves were on the decline. The Montrose store – once a prime destination for local and visiting DJs, with its overwhelming, eclectic selection of vinyl and CDs – would eventually become the last one standing.

We asked a few of the city’s finest spinners if they have memories of stocking up at that location and/or other Soundwaves spots:

Emdee “DJ Kool Emdee” Anderson: “I used to frequent it very often. I remember when DJ Premier used to work at the original Main St. location. And when No More Mr. Nice Guy [from his hip-hop group Gang Starr] was released, he put copies of the album in the front of every record slot. I joke with him about that when I see him.

“That location was a hangout spot for DJs and producers. I got a number of gigs by helping others with music suggestions.”

Kris Stivers: “I have tons of memories (and spent tons of money on records). I was there all the time – practically every location. I introduced my sister to a buddy of mine who worked there and, now, he’s my brother-in-law. My sister then got a job at the Montrose location. She called me once from the store and put Questlove on the phone. I met Little Brother and other artists there. I miss those days.”

GrandfatherCLOC: “I met Blind Rob and Devin The Dude at the one on Gessner & 59. I still have a Soundbombing II T-shirt from when The ARE was working at South Main.

“The most memorable was meeting DJ Theory from [KTRU radio show] 12" Sub, a few years after it was off the air, at the one on Montrose. I heard one of the employees speaking and was like, that's Theory's voice!”

Jason “Flash Gordon Parks” Woods: “I went to all the locations. One of my fondest memories was finding Roy Ayers Ubiquity’s Starbooty and feeling like Steel in Juice.”

Jason “DJ Burb” Rodgers: “I only went to the one on Main. I used to go there every Tuesday after getting out of class at UH-D to listen to some new releases in the listening booths.”

Jason Graeber: “I remember all the great music lovers who worked there. Chris and Brandon always knew about the new EDM artists that were coming out. Bucky was great at introducing people to new rock and underground music. Before you had online influencers, the kids at the record stores drove what people listened to. I remember walking in and checking the end caps from my favorite employees to see what new music they were recommending. I feel that this is something that is missing and why it is harder for great bands to get traction.”

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