Today, as I waded through a stack of magazines to read a week's worth of news and editorial, I was sad to see the cover of one of my favorite pubs with a headline reading "The Lost Generation" and inside, a story warning about the "enduring harm" young people face in this economy.

"Bright, eager—and unwanted. While unemployment is ravaging just about every part of the global workforce, the most enduring harm is being done to young people who can't grab onto the first rung of the career ladder." (Source)

In the very same stack I'd collected for my morning reading, Tavi, a now infamous 13 year old blogger known for turning her interest in fashion, thrift shop finds and smart use of a free blogger account into a powerful new voice in the industry, graced not one, but two limited edition covers of POP magazine. I couldn't help but take note of the powerful contradiction between these two covers- with Tavi as a veritable antidote to the notion that we're a "lost generation."

Yes, the economy has put a strain on everyone and has certainly not helped the post-college job search now faced by many of my friends and peers. But to assume that we are a lost generation is to forget that we are one of the most empowered generations to-date.

"This is not the end of the newspaper business. It’s not the last chapter; it is merely Chapter 11.”

Fred Lebolt, President and Publisher of (and prepare for attribution to an incredibly long title) Sun Times Newspaper Group Suburban News Division and New Media Integration, kicked the Transformation of News Media session off with this rather epic sound bite. Fred was joined on the panel by Mark Marvel (MSNBC), Kinsey Wilson (NPR), Kay Madati (CNN) and moderator David Griesing (The Chicago Tribune).