OT - Food for Thought

[MORAY]

Someone sent me this in an email and seems like some here might find it interesting, and some will have a comment. Let's see

A very self-important college freshman, attending a recent football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation.

"You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one," the student said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. "The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing ..... and," pausing to take another drink of beer.

The Senior took advantage of the break in the student's litany and said, "You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young........ so we invent ed them. Now, you arrogant little ****, what are you doing for the next generation?"

The applause was resounding.....

 

[Don Lino]

Reminds me of that Geico commercial with the cavemen... Pretty Good

 

[nauti1us]

JW, I think I know what you're fishing for... unfortunately I think its not going to an easy forum discussion. May be I'm off base, and if so, you can correct me. And if I’m way off base… than ignore my response entirely…

Younger folks have grown up with electronic media methods of communication as a daily medium. Email, web boards and forums are simply easy and completely informal. So what I seem to witness on these forums largely reflects attitudes of younger folks that chew on digital communication as a daily diet. There is a lot less consideration for others and more of a "look at me - look at me" attitude. It's the nature of the beast and forums encourage this. And although it may be hard to swallow for those of us with way too much grey in our beards, selfishness is a hallmark of those who are young, starting as early as toddlers. As people age they gain insight and develop a respect for their peers and communicate in a fashion that gives others the right to give their opinions without reproach. I see threads here filled with “one-liners”, “zingers” and less thought out comments designed to be hurtful or disrespectful… it boggles the mind. But since I’m forced to have to watch to some degree, I’ve developed a better sense of humor and simply accept the fact that forums are a mixed bag.

I take want I want and leave the rest. I have to assume that others have or will learn that over time. I personally think there’s way more good that comes out of these forums than bad. The members of ORCA are good people, some of the finest I know and proud to call my friends. Patience, tolerance and a good sense of humor are the keys to success on these boards.

Again, if I’m way off base… than ignore my response entirely… I’m only on my first cup of coffee… :hmm4:

 

[InLimbo87]

What you see in this discussion, is both parties not understanding one another. Its very obvious that the young man is unable to connect with the older generation due to his reliance on technology (after all, he does state this directly). However, I think what you don't really see to clearly in the statement is the senior citizen's misunderstanding of today's young people. Although many just use the technology of today for their everyday advantage, this doesn't mean that we aren't furthering society. He believes that technology has made us lazy, and in a way it has, but it has also made it easier for us to make progressions in many areas at a faster rate.

I think the common misconception here is that young people are made worthless by technology. We haven't developed the skills that the older generation has because technology can do them for us. But, many of us youger people have learned to master those skills using technology, and hence can further society just as past generations have worked with what they have.

 

[chrisstie]

I think that its just a hilarious (and somewhat true!) anecdote

 

[jsl6v8]

There are really many ways you can take this, my first thought is
A. some of those things didn't happen or aren't in common usage such as man walking on the moon, up for debate with anyone on this on either side I'd love to argue with you but not here, and hydrogen cars which do exist but not really an option for the public as of yet, why thank you GM, Honda, Ford, ect. And thank you wonderfully corupt capitalist congress (gotta love the alliteration)

B. Its not those senior citizens that have invented hydrogen cars, the internet the ever changing computer, media, and TV technology worlds. Granted a lot of the ideas metioned are merely technologys that have been improved upon that were originally conceived by the senior citizen generations.

As for the attitude of this generation of youth or even those, like me, who are in college are cocky and unconcered for the feelings of others really have a great deal to do with the family units of today. We didn't grow up in the 50s with mommy at home baking cookies cleaning house and making sure our precious little worlds are ok, nor did we grow up in the free days of the 70s with the marijuana that made everyone oh so likable. Over 50% of our familys are divorced, are relatives live 1000s of miles away, the one parent we do have doesnt come back from work till 9 so you get get dinner at 10 and spend an hour saying hi and fighting over work/homework/school before you go to bed and start the routine all over again. We are a generation raised by ourselves aware of our own capabilitys and limits, granted in some cases over estimating them, some of us were responsible for the raising of our siblings, and the technology and the youths ability to learn things and adapt quickly really made this possible. My dad or mom wasn't home for me to ask which plannet is the furthest away from the sun based on the particular orbit at that point in time or why the sky is blue so we had to look it up on the internet, they didn't have time to take little joey to soccer practice so the brothers had to, so what I'm saying is that its really a gereration of self reliance made possible by the efforts of those who perhaps unknowningly forced us into it.

As for the the one liners and zingers as they were discribed all I can say is that kids this generation don't watch their mouth, do swear to much and often have no regard for whose feeling they might possibly be hurting when they say things, why? TV, games, bad parenting, the degradation of society as a whole on all scales, not sure what exactly that means but I always wanted to say it. Or it could simply be that we have a better sense of humor, don't take things so personally or seriously and really just don't give a rats *** about what someone else may think because we know who and what we are?

But really, me myself being a cocky smart *** arrogant little $H!T all I have to say is "Come on".









ok no really, these kids do take it to far sometimes, but unfortunatly until the courts make it legal to beat other peoples children when they are "acting a fool", what do you want me to do about it?

man I love ranting, 10 in the morning, earlier than I ever wake up on my own accord, waiting for a freaking plane, this just made my morning.

 

[cschweitzer]

Damn straight jsl...you tell them!! Be that cocky smart ***...own that attitude. It was given to us by the dubbed gen-x name. We truely are the alternative to what most elders would call "normal". Of course, this post was just anecdotal and I think we may have read a little to far into a nice little story of the old getting back at the young for their cocky attitudes.

 

[MORAY]

Wow, I love to get insight into people's minds and thoughts. Some great comments. I think every person on RC has read at least one thread and thought "That's really stupid". Some of those threads may have even been in our own little forum. At least paper wasn't wasted on them. I once heard that 90% of the population goes through life asleep and the other 10% are amazed. Next time you're at a traffic light take a minute to look at the people in the cars around you.

Matt - Not really fishing for anything, but I thought it was kind of interesting and I thought it might get some people to think. It's interesting in the fact that all of us can read it and usually identify more with one over the other. You and I are the same age and I can somewhat identify with both. Personally, since I've been a smart azz all my life I enjoy the snappy comeback of the senior citizen.

InLimbo87 and jsl6v8 - I think you both made excellent comments and I appreciate both of you taking the time to type it.

Bottom line is there are really only a handful of personality types and like types tend to think in similar ways. This hobby attracts a lot of similar types. Of course, many people are a combination of types. But, that's a different subject. I really believe that people are the best and worst part of every day you have whether it be in your work life or social life. Best day at work was because of a person and worst day at work was because of a person.

It's easy to focus on what younger generations aren't doing as well, but they are also doing some things better. Really, older people can learn from the young too if they maintain an open mind. The world we live in is changing at a very rapid rate and I don't think we as humans can evolve fast enough, so it makes it interesting.

I'm 43 so I'm really in the middle. I'll quit boring you all now.

 

[Me No Nemo]

When I was young, my parents were stupid...didn't know anything...I was NEVER going to be like them. Now, I'm the parent and of course now I'm studid, don't know anything and my kids don't ever want to be like me. Of course, they will be when life catches up to them Just the cycle of life!

 

[InLimbo87]

Cue Elton John and african landscapes :lol:

 

[Swirlygig]

Sounds like fun...where can i find some more adults to annoy...hrm...hehe

On a serious note though, as a supervisor in the work environment since the age of 23, I have people from ages 22 - 78 that work under me...I don't get the respect I deserve most of the time...I respect my peers...Personally, I think it is intimidation...A fear that the old is going out and the new is coming in...Older people have a lot of knowledge and I have found they like to rub it back into our faces when they get a chance while still learning from us...

 

[cschweitzer]

Where are you a supervisor at?

 

[flfirefighter13]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10384908#post10384908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MORAY
I really believe that people are the best and worst part of every day you have whether it be in your work life or social life. Best day at work was because of a person and worst day at work was because of a person.

I think a lot of it boils down to changes in society forcing a different mindset onto people. For example when I was growing up (Im 27 so not long ago) If two guys disagreed firmly we would take it outside, someone would get the snot knocked clean out of them and everything was done. My 18 yo brother is telling me stories of people in the same neighborhood getting into arguments over silly high school stuff and next thing you know semi automatic weapons are being pulled. Keep in mind im not talking hardcore gangbangers here, these are middle class kids in decent areas of south florida.

This change in society has forced the upcomeing generation to play bya different set of rules. Being a firefighter I see a lot of different people on a day to day basis in there own surrondings and it seems that a large majority of younger people are either VERY aggresive and harsh or VERY timid and scared. There does not seem to be a lot of truly balanced people. I dont know how was for other generations but I know when I was growing up there was about 80% Normal kids, 10% real aggressive, and 10% coy/awkward kids. there seems to be less of the "normal" range now. Not sure what has caused it, maybe technology has zapped some social skills away. This is also something that all my police buddies have noticed as well, Seems to be a lot more violent and severe crimes being reported while minor little prank type activity is being overlooked. I remeber "Back in the day" haveing 3 cops come chase us for egging houses, now a officer would not even be dispatched, a reprt would be taken over the phone and probally never followed up.
Anyways thats two rants in a short period today, im off my soapbox, stay safe and for goodness sake BE NICE!

 

[taketz]

A very self-important college freshman, attending a recent football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation.

"You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one," the student said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. "The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing ..... and," pausing to take another drink of beer.

The Senior took advantage of the break in the student's litany and said, "You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young........ so we invent ed them. Now, you arrogant little ****, what are you doing for the next generation?"

The self-important freshmen fired right back " Yeah, you're right. So, which one of those did you invent?"