I’m mad as hell at the younger generations. If you’re part of this group, I want to tell you why you’ve screwed up a perfectly great world, and just what you need to do next.
You spend your days staring into screens. By contrast, we make eye contact and therefore have empathy and real connection with other human beings.
You have hooking up. We have relationships.
You swipe right. We live right.
You have Apple watches, where all you do is look at your timelines. We have neighborhood watches, where we look out for each other.
You live to get likes. We live for love.
You have influencers. We have thinkers.
You have politicians. We had statesmen.
We make commitments. You rent your furniture.
We win awards for accomplishments. You expect participation ribbons just for showing up.
You have Facebook friends. We have real friends.
We have tolerance. You have cancel culture.
On college campuses, we had open discourse and free speech. Today, you have a McCarthyism of the left and “trigger words,” because any idea you don’t agree with sends you screaming for crayons and teddy bears.
We won the Cold War. You guys have never met a left-wing totalitarian dictator from Castro to Maduro who you didn’t like.
When it comes to personal finance, we balance our checkbooks. You don’t even know how much you spend at Starbucks. (Hint: a lot).
You have McJobs. We have careers.
Culture? Same thing. We have classic music from the 1960s and 1970s – the Beach Boys, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Motown legends, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, ZZ Top and many more. You have Billie Eilish and other whiny balladeers who can only write songs about how some dope you met in the club won’t return your texts.
When I turned 40 I realized I couldn’t stand to be around teenagers any more.
Then I turned 50 and 20 somethings were getting on my last nerve.
60 crashed head on into me as 30 year olds were climbing all over each other trying to get me to punch em in the face. This coming Friday I turn 65 and I can barely tolerate anybody.
I’m joking, of course. But not really. Yes I am. No I’m not. I just learned how to put on a pretty face now and then when I can’t get out of it. When people come around I smile like a jack-o-lantern but in 15 mins I’m looking for the exit sign. It’s not you. It’s me. Honest.
TerryJanuary 28, 2020, 7:05 PM
A rant for the RANToMATIC-
In the classic music section please don’t forget Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. A high energy group unlike the foot dragging dead dorks of “younger generations”. My generation prefers a double ham sandwich with an open-face taco above and with a nice pink sweet pickle at the top. The “younger generations” do not even date. Huh?
I am 75 now and can say that my biggest complaint about the “younger generations” is that they lack common sense.
Donald SensingJanuary 28, 2020, 7:46 PM
Sorry, no. Just no.
My eldest son fought in Iraq as a US Marine and still bears the scars.
My second son is a surgeon in the US Air Force. His wife is also a physician (civilian).
My youngest, our daughter, is a chemical engineer with Ramboll, Inc., a worldwide engineering firm.
Levin needs to get out more.
rabbit tobaccoJanuary 28, 2020, 10:09 PM
Re: younger generations
‘Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us,
and the art of life is to get the message.’
Malcolm Muggeridge
Yes, whatever. You had relationships?? The generation that standardized “free love” and introduced the world to rampant sexual diseases? You had “statesmen”? Wrong again. A politician is a politician, whether it be today or 50 years ago. See Truman’s assessment of politics and wealth. Boomers think they are something special. Along with Millinials. The only REAL bragging rights belong to The Greatest Generation for what they went through, with dignity, and without blowing their own horn. Boomers? Hush. Millinials? Shush! No one wants to hear from either of you anymore.
Annie RoseJanuary 29, 2020, 6:27 AM
OK Boomer. I’m a mom of two millennial women who are two of the sweetest, funniest, most compassionate, hard working people you would ever want to meet. Thanks to them and their friends I have a window into the world of Millennials. My daily job has me working with all GenX and Millennial parents and co-workers. These are for the most part wonderful hard-working people. Like every generation there are certainly those who are bums, whack-a-doodles, and con artists. Some still have a lot of growing up to do, but then so do I, even at the age of 60. I have always enjoyed getting to know people of all ages. You learn so much from them and it keeps you feeling young. I also love some of their music. You should check out The Killers, P!nk, Passenger, Ed Sheeran, and Muse, who I introduced to my kids. They love most of our generations’ music, too. When you close off your mind to others, you invite stagnation and death. Get out there and live.
I agree with those voices that have spoken up in support of the younger generations, many of them if not most are turning out very well and in the face of greater challenges then we faced.
We grew up in America, some of them didn’t hear very much English spoken on their city streets growing up. My teachers and coaches were for the most part WWII vets, or lived through it on the home front. Their teachers went to Kremlin U. We had Howdy Doody and Rex Trailer, I can’t describe what they are being fed packaged as “American Culture”; words fail me.
I’m sorry to say the comments don’t get it. It’s an essay. It takes to task an actual divide that is typified by the new phrase: “OK Boomer.” When did we go from Baby Boomers to Okay Boomers? When some smart-assed youngsters got uppity and decided to take down their elders is when.
Essays don’t have to be complete or cover everything. They just have to resonate. levin’s resonates with me since I once had a youngster claim my gen, the Bommers; had ruined the economy and the environment. That is such horseshit it doesn’t even need response. But there you have the brain trust of the next gen: capitalism and global warming are their threats.
I don’t defend being a Boomer. I idolize the Greatest Gen of my father’s era. Yes, I see the talent and good in the younger gens. I love seeing talent in youths. But, if any want to compare generations, I think that mine has a legacy that speaks for itself (both great and epic-bad at the same time). I dare you to top us. BTW, you may know how to code, but you did not create the PC or the MAC. Eat me.
Oh yea, now I remember: to the young whippersnappers like Vanderleun, Levin et al;
OK Bloomers! 😉
SkorpionJanuary 29, 2020, 7:30 PM
For everyone here who idolizes the so-called “Greatest Generation”: weren’t those the folks who *raised* the *Hated Boomers*?
ghostsniperJanuary 30, 2020, 5:22 PM
The greatest generation is also the silent generation.
I didn’t make that up and don’t agree with the premise, which is, that by remaining silent, minding their own business and keeping their nose to the grindstone they allowed tyranny in american politics to grow. I’m not from that generation but if I was I wouldn’t believe it was my responsibility to supervise the behavior of people a thousand miles away. Nor would I believe I have any right to tell them how to behave. It’s none of my business. However, when danger comes a calling no matter it’s source when it gets close it will be destroyed. THAT is my right.
TeeRoy JenkinsJanuary 30, 2020, 6:52 PM
Gen X here. I believe its probable that each gen drops the ball so to speak. The Greatest Gen dropped by producing the spoiled Boomers who screwed the pooch on universities during the 60s. I believe it wasn’t intentional and that they spoiled their children because they had experienced the horrors of ww2 and just wanted to avoid conflict within their homes after returning. Gen X dropped the ball by buying into the materialistic greed and self indulgence was good theme of the era. Now we have the millenials who have received all of the indulgence and protection of our affluent culture coupled with power of hand held instant distraction and information. Short, shallow, attention span theater not tempered by hardship or experience.
My final thought on this subject is to ask is there any generation that didn’t view the upcoming gen through the prism of maturity and wisdom gained by harsh life experiences and not found them lacking?
There before you layeth my lawn, please refrain from treading upon it and depart!
Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Gerard Van der Leun
1692 MANGROVE AVE
APT 379
Chico, Ca 95926
Green Pants Interior by Klahn
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
When I turned 40 I realized I couldn’t stand to be around teenagers any more.
Then I turned 50 and 20 somethings were getting on my last nerve.
60 crashed head on into me as 30 year olds were climbing all over each other trying to get me to punch em in the face. This coming Friday I turn 65 and I can barely tolerate anybody.
I’m joking, of course. But not really. Yes I am. No I’m not. I just learned how to put on a pretty face now and then when I can’t get out of it. When people come around I smile like a jack-o-lantern but in 15 mins I’m looking for the exit sign. It’s not you. It’s me. Honest.
A rant for the RANToMATIC-
In the classic music section please don’t forget Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. A high energy group unlike the foot dragging dead dorks of “younger generations”. My generation prefers a double ham sandwich with an open-face taco above and with a nice pink sweet pickle at the top. The “younger generations” do not even date. Huh?
I am 75 now and can say that my biggest complaint about the “younger generations” is that they lack common sense.
Sorry, no. Just no.
My eldest son fought in Iraq as a US Marine and still bears the scars.
My second son is a surgeon in the US Air Force. His wife is also a physician (civilian).
My youngest, our daughter, is a chemical engineer with Ramboll, Inc., a worldwide engineering firm.
Levin needs to get out more.
Re: younger generations
‘Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us,
and the art of life is to get the message.’
Malcolm Muggeridge
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/79/2f/56792fe20ff9388d7c022ee6758405e6.jpg
Yes, whatever. You had relationships?? The generation that standardized “free love” and introduced the world to rampant sexual diseases? You had “statesmen”? Wrong again. A politician is a politician, whether it be today or 50 years ago. See Truman’s assessment of politics and wealth. Boomers think they are something special. Along with Millinials. The only REAL bragging rights belong to The Greatest Generation for what they went through, with dignity, and without blowing their own horn. Boomers? Hush. Millinials? Shush! No one wants to hear from either of you anymore.
OK Boomer. I’m a mom of two millennial women who are two of the sweetest, funniest, most compassionate, hard working people you would ever want to meet. Thanks to them and their friends I have a window into the world of Millennials. My daily job has me working with all GenX and Millennial parents and co-workers. These are for the most part wonderful hard-working people. Like every generation there are certainly those who are bums, whack-a-doodles, and con artists. Some still have a lot of growing up to do, but then so do I, even at the age of 60. I have always enjoyed getting to know people of all ages. You learn so much from them and it keeps you feeling young. I also love some of their music. You should check out The Killers, P!nk, Passenger, Ed Sheeran, and Muse, who I introduced to my kids. They love most of our generations’ music, too. When you close off your mind to others, you invite stagnation and death. Get out there and live.
I agree with those voices that have spoken up in support of the younger generations, many of them if not most are turning out very well and in the face of greater challenges then we faced.
We grew up in America, some of them didn’t hear very much English spoken on their city streets growing up. My teachers and coaches were for the most part WWII vets, or lived through it on the home front. Their teachers went to Kremlin U. We had Howdy Doody and Rex Trailer, I can’t describe what they are being fed packaged as “American Culture”; words fail me.
Ouch!
I’m sorry to say the comments don’t get it. It’s an essay. It takes to task an actual divide that is typified by the new phrase: “OK Boomer.” When did we go from Baby Boomers to Okay Boomers? When some smart-assed youngsters got uppity and decided to take down their elders is when.
Essays don’t have to be complete or cover everything. They just have to resonate. levin’s resonates with me since I once had a youngster claim my gen, the Bommers; had ruined the economy and the environment. That is such horseshit it doesn’t even need response. But there you have the brain trust of the next gen: capitalism and global warming are their threats.
I don’t defend being a Boomer. I idolize the Greatest Gen of my father’s era. Yes, I see the talent and good in the younger gens. I love seeing talent in youths. But, if any want to compare generations, I think that mine has a legacy that speaks for itself (both great and epic-bad at the same time). I dare you to top us. BTW, you may know how to code, but you did not create the PC or the MAC. Eat me.
Enjoy the ride my friends.
I’m 81 & forgot what I was gonna say…
Oh yea, now I remember: to the young whippersnappers like Vanderleun, Levin et al;
OK Bloomers! 😉
For everyone here who idolizes the so-called “Greatest Generation”: weren’t those the folks who *raised* the *Hated Boomers*?
The greatest generation is also the silent generation.
I didn’t make that up and don’t agree with the premise, which is, that by remaining silent, minding their own business and keeping their nose to the grindstone they allowed tyranny in american politics to grow. I’m not from that generation but if I was I wouldn’t believe it was my responsibility to supervise the behavior of people a thousand miles away. Nor would I believe I have any right to tell them how to behave. It’s none of my business. However, when danger comes a calling no matter it’s source when it gets close it will be destroyed. THAT is my right.
Gen X here. I believe its probable that each gen drops the ball so to speak. The Greatest Gen dropped by producing the spoiled Boomers who screwed the pooch on universities during the 60s. I believe it wasn’t intentional and that they spoiled their children because they had experienced the horrors of ww2 and just wanted to avoid conflict within their homes after returning. Gen X dropped the ball by buying into the materialistic greed and self indulgence was good theme of the era. Now we have the millenials who have received all of the indulgence and protection of our affluent culture coupled with power of hand held instant distraction and information. Short, shallow, attention span theater not tempered by hardship or experience.
My final thought on this subject is to ask is there any generation that didn’t view the upcoming gen through the prism of maturity and wisdom gained by harsh life experiences and not found them lacking?
There before you layeth my lawn, please refrain from treading upon it and depart!