Why is it that change so often is mostly supported by the young?
brianlux
Posts: 42,038
I would think it's the other way around. The older I get, the more I desire to see positive and healthy changes in the world, both environmentally, socially, politically and culturally. Young people generally get what I'm saying here (look at how many young folks are Bernie fans or who participated in the Occupy movement, or the hard-core environmental movements, etc., for example.) But as generations age, they generally seem to become more stagnant in their support of change, more unmotivated regarding change and more docile about being content with status quo. I know I'm generalizing and there are some old farts who are as feisty than ever about moving ahead but my perception based on watching the G.I., Baby Boomer, Gen X (and soon the Millennials) age is that this generalization holds true.
What do you suppose is with that?
What do you suppose is with that?
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
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the young are normally the first to be vocal about things that are unjust and need to change.
the young, in general, are normally a little less selfish and they have less to risk. older people do not want to risk losing what they have, job, money, family, status, etc. the young have less to lose and more time to make it up if they do lose anything. they take more risks because they can afford to.
older people tend to have the power and anybody who has power will fight to keep from losing it. older people see how the world is and they are comfortable with it. they do not want to see big changes because then they will have to adapt.
these are all just generalizations and observations i have made in my 40 years here.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
the younger you are, the more singular you tend to look at things, instead of the bigger picture.
I simply do not have the energy or the time to devote to camping out in front of my legislature when I have kids to raise, a 9-5 job to go to, etc etc.
just looking at the differences in the causes that PJ supports/goes up against, it's a very telling example. when was the last time you heard Ed talk about fur coats and animal welfare and other stuff like that? now he's dealing with things that are closer to his heart, his experiences, his friends' kid's challenges. same goes with most people.
I think becoming jaded can also come into play for a lot of people. as a younger person, you honestly believe that you can make a difference. as you get older, you see how difficult making a difference really is, and it's tough to maintain the drive to keep trying.
www.headstonesband.com
"do you share the same sense of defeat?
have you realized all the thing's you'll never be?
ideals turn to resentments
open minds close up with cynicism.
i've got no judgement for you
come on and ache with me."
-against me
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
www.headstonesband.com
The wisdom that the old can't give away
Goes both and many ways, I think.
Some young ones are bandwagon jumpers, others think for themselves.
Same for those of us in earlier generations.
Somewhere between youth and age comes experience, hopefully a bit of wisdom, and realism (not to be equated with cynicism). More mindset, and it comes in overwhelming forms.
(and B..."always supported mostly"? Got your intent but that wording fucked with me, to be honest
But my perception is that the Gen X'ers will do the same. I hope they prove me wrong!
anybody ever see the george carlin takedown of the boomers? it is pretty much true.
i am at work and can't look for it, otherwise i would post it.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Yet, as we grow older, we become more resistant. Go make sense of that.
Open-mindedness and idealism are associated with the young, i've seen a research article studying the brain on how it changes in ideals as we age ( don't ask, I forget what it said ), but for some reason we resist change as we grow older. Which makes no sense to me because resistance to change is for old grumpy men. Never happy.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
An example: What young person isn't going to be for free college tuition when they are 19 years old and a bunch of 45 year olds are paying for it through their taxes? They aren't paying taxes currently and probably won't be making enough money for several years out of college where they would even be impacted by tax increases.
When they are earning $100,000 a year and $30,000 of it is going to fed/state income taxes, medicare and FICA taxes then they may care a little more about what their tax dollars are being spent on and make sure we are funding those who truly deserve it.
I look forward to your reply where you completely disagree with what I've said. Maybe you could just save us all a lot of time and be the first person to reply to every question with the one and only correct answer.
No idea wtf your last comment is supposed to mean. The one and only correct answer? I don't know why you said that.
And maybe the types of changes make a difference.
I'm guessing perception too.
this is a tiresome argument. you are paying for a 19 year old's college. they will pay for the next person's college and so on. it just happens that you and i got fucked by our selfish baby boomer ancestors.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
you said:
"Here is part of it: Younger people love to spend other peoples' money.
Post edited by bootlegger10 at 1:29PM"
have you considered that people are supporting bernie because of other issues besides the "debt free school at a public college for everyone that has the ambition to go"?
interesting question. do old people use more of our resources through medicare, social security, etc, or do the young use more?
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
#SDC
Like I said, perception.
As to education - some of our schools have failed children, but so too (perhaps moreso) their parents and by proxy what is encouraged, given, ignored, sometimes spoiled and misguided.
I grew up in a frugal household and attended one semester of community college. My guy too and with one parent and his own shit. I consider ourselves educated, in pretty awesome ways. Great foundations and learning along the way.
Living within our means, occasionally splurging. A nice, stable life built, continuing to build.
Some change I'm cool with, others not. Has nothing to do with open-mindedness for me.