Instant Gratification

We live in a world where most people's lives are run by their need for instant gratification. Fast food, faster cars, faster downloads, etc... people are becoming obsessed with having what they want, NOW. This is a big problem in general, but is becoming a huge problem in the classroom. I'm in college and every class that I'm in has at least three people in it who everyday, for the entire class period spend their time on MySpace and Facebook. It's pretty ridiculous actually, my generation and every age group below it have been so over-saturated with stimulating images and activities, that they can't resist them. When you or your parents are shelling out over $30,000 at least to be in college and you can't keep yourself off social networking sites so you can chat and look at pictures, you have issues. I'm not in grade schools, middle schools, or high schools anymore, but I know things are the same there because I talk to my friends' bothers and sisters. What ever happened to stressing patience and explaining the satisfaction that you feel when you have to work for something or wait for it, instead of everything being a mouse click away. I know that technology and innovation rule our world, but why. It isn't because it is making everyone happier. Children don't realize that many of the habits that they develop today will stick with them for the rest of their lives, it's up to parents to explain that. How can so many adults around our country not see what type of life they are setting their kids up to have? A child who never learns patience will struggle to succeed in the business world much more than a child who does have patience. I can't give this topic as much time right now as I want to, however I feel it is a very important issue. Children now days spend too much time at home and their friends houses being constantly stimulated, experiencing instant gratification numerous times every hour. I feel that is an issue that must be addressed as well, but should really show people how important it is to keep school a place where children experience something vastly different than their life outside of school.