Ten random things: August 21

Ten things that, according to the 2009 Beloit College Mindset List, have always been true for the entering college class of 2013:

1. They have never understood the meaning of R.S.V.P.
2. They have been preparing for the arrival of HDTV all their lives.
3. Bungee jumping has always been socially acceptable.
4. Christopher Columbus has always been getting a bad rap.
5. We have always watched wars, coups, and police arrests unfold on television in real time.
6. They have always eaten Berry Berry Kix.
7. Most communities have always had a mega-church.
8. There has always been a computer in the Oval Office.
9. Migration of once independent media like radio, TV, videos and compact discs to the computer has never amazed them.
10. Agent Starling has always feared the Silence of the Lambs.

The full list can be found here. I have two problems with this year's list; not coincidentally, they are presented her at the top and bottom of the list above. What does it mean that they have never understood the meaning of R.S.V.P.? If the meaning as changed, I'm not aware of it. I suppose it could mean that it is no longer considered socially unacceptable to not respond to an invitation, but if that's what they mean they phrased it very poorly. The bigger problem is the last one, which completely misrepresents the symbolism of The Silence of the Lambs. Clarice wanted the lambs to be silent, because she was haunted by her memories of their screams as they were slaughtered. I mean, come on, the meaning of the title is explicitly stated in the dialogue.