Comments on: Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/ se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenki Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:30:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: venuspluto67 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-22625 venuspluto67 Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:17:10 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-22625 I had a younger friend for a while at the grocery store at which I work. When he moved on, he wasn't interested in continuing the friendship because he didn't consider it appropriate. At least part of that in my own evaluation seemed to mean that because I wouldn't be a direct part of his pursuit of money and position in society, I was suddenly dead weight that needed to be cut away. He gave me his e-mail address, but aside from one e-mail of a few sentences back in May, he hasn't been responding to my e-mails at all. I mention this because it was kind of the psychological tipping point for me that exposed civilization for what it really was. The stuff I've been gradually learning since the invasion of Iraq is the real reason for the change in worldview, it just took something personal to make it all gel into a critique of where humanity is right now. I had a younger friend for a while at the grocery store at which I work. When he moved on, he wasn’t interested in continuing the friendship because he didn’t consider it appropriate. At least part of that in my own evaluation seemed to mean that because I wouldn’t be a direct part of his pursuit of money and position in society, I was suddenly dead weight that needed to be cut away.

He gave me his e-mail address, but aside from one e-mail of a few sentences back in May, he hasn’t been responding to my e-mails at all. I mention this because it was kind of the psychological tipping point for me that exposed civilization for what it really was. The stuff I’ve been gradually learning since the invasion of Iraq is the real reason for the change in worldview, it just took something personal to make it all gel into a critique of where humanity is right now.

]]> By: Jason Turpin http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6983 Jason Turpin Tue, 07 Mar 2006 01:45:18 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6983 I sense some regret in the original message. Regret is best saved for personal mistakes, and even then only the gravest. Only regret that which, at the time, you didn’t realize was a mistake. If you didn’t know any better then it’s not something to regret (it’s simply a realization, which can upset all life balance; it’s still not a regret). As for your parents, they were just following their script. The title was “your child must go to college in order to succeed.� They were just doing what they thought was best, and this was based on their worldview at that time (“at that time� is a powerful phrase than can turn pot smoking parents into Reagan voters). Effective propaganda defines the status quo. I was the first college graduate in my family; it was pretty much expected of me. Oh yeah, I grew up on a small farm (just feed animals like chickens, cows, and pigs) with my parents squarely in the mid-lower income level. College has done me well (both in career and in relations), but it cost a lot and I just recently finished payment off my school debts. Would I change anything? Only if I knew then what I know now. Not that I regret anything (I regret one thing actually and it’s inconsequential to the grand events in my life). Steve, that’s just a generation living in the most complex society ever trying the things that the complexity makes available. Specialization in a society is pervasive, both in career options and in recreational opportunities. I wish better party choices had been available to me, the rave scene was slightly after me, not that I didn’t try. Don’t knock the drugs users; they are more level headed than both the sugar users and the God users (although most fall for the sugar). At least they recognize their fix. And never knock natural options, things that grow on the Earth. They are the bounty of genetic diversity… Today’s generations can try anything and get away with it, culturally speaking. That is something to embrace. People can finally be whatever they think they are (freaks included). All of that might end within our lifetime due to a collapse of some sort. I’m saddened by this, but also relived that nature might get a respite from our constant raping (I’m not that concerned about nature or biodiversity, there will be plenty of time for reworking of the system after the fall of homo sapiens, billions of years if needed). I sense some regret in the original message. Regret is best saved for personal mistakes, and even then only the gravest. Only regret that which, at the time, you didn’t realize was a mistake. If you didn’t know any better then it’s not something to regret (it’s simply a realization, which can upset all life balance; it’s still not a regret).

As for your parents, they were just following their script. The title was “your child must go to college in order to succeed.� They were just doing what they thought was best, and this was based on their worldview at that time (“at that time� is a powerful phrase than can turn pot smoking parents into Reagan voters). Effective propaganda defines the status quo.

I was the first college graduate in my family; it was pretty much expected of me. Oh yeah, I grew up on a small farm (just feed animals like chickens, cows, and pigs) with my parents squarely in the mid-lower income level. College has done me well (both in career and in relations), but it cost a lot and I just recently finished payment off my school debts. Would I change anything? Only if I knew then what I know now. Not that I regret anything (I regret one thing actually and it’s inconsequential to the grand events in my life).

Steve, that’s just a generation living in the most complex society ever trying the things that the complexity makes available. Specialization in a society is pervasive, both in career options and in recreational opportunities. I wish better party choices had been available to me, the rave scene was slightly after me, not that I didn’t try. Don’t knock the drugs users; they are more level headed than both the sugar users and the God users (although most fall for the sugar). At least they recognize their fix. And never knock natural options, things that grow on the Earth. They are the bounty of genetic diversity…

Today’s generations can try anything and get away with it, culturally speaking. That is something to embrace. People can finally be whatever they think they are (freaks included). All of that might end within our lifetime due to a collapse of some sort. I’m saddened by this, but also relived that nature might get a respite from our constant raping (I’m not that concerned about nature or biodiversity, there will be plenty of time for reworking of the system after the fall of homo sapiens, billions of years if needed).

]]> By: Jason Godesky http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6956 Jason Godesky Mon, 06 Mar 2006 20:17:51 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6956 I thought those were more "X" than "Y"? I thought those were more “X” than “Y”?

]]> By: Steven Lagavulin http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6955 Steven Lagavulin Mon, 06 Mar 2006 20:00:09 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6955 So I wonder then...how do you resolve this description of Gen-Y (the first generation to be named before they were born) with their other generational characteristics like high recreational drug use (pot, ecstasy), hyper-sexuality (phreak dancing, <a href="http://sptimes.com/2005/08/07/Floridian/Wonderlust.shtml" rel="nofollow">faux lesbianism</a>), and <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2005-08-14-office-etiquette_x.htm" rel="nofollow">"ultra-casual" office culture</a>? So I wonder then…how do you resolve this description of Gen-Y (the first generation to be named before they were born) with their other generational characteristics like high recreational drug use (pot, ecstasy), hyper-sexuality (phreak dancing, faux lesbianism), and “ultra-casual” office culture?

]]> By: speedbird http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6916 speedbird Mon, 06 Mar 2006 10:19:10 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6916 Excellent post. Yes, things were changing at university in the 90's - each subsequent year wanting clearer go/no-go boundaries for 'what is a pass' and 'what is a fail'. Of course, to do this is a sign of failure. But how do you argue against it? I feel I have to dig deeper every year, to get to the root of issues of identity and innovation and the difference between people and machines. * 'If you will tell me precisely what it is that a machine cannot do, then I can always make a machine which will do just that!' - John von Neumann Excellent post. Yes, things were changing at university in the 90’s - each subsequent year wanting clearer go/no-go boundaries for ‘what is a pass’ and ‘what is a fail’. Of course, to do this is a sign of failure. But how do you argue against it? I feel I have to dig deeper every year, to get to the root of issues of identity and innovation and the difference between people and machines.

*

‘If you will tell me precisely what it is that a machine cannot do, then I can always make a machine which will do just that!’

- John von Neumann

]]> By: Devin http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6882 Devin Sat, 04 Mar 2006 15:06:20 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6882 Hooray for Generation "Why?"! It's important to recognize how much the controlling and overbearing techniques for child raising, whether they're in the home or at school, force kids into either the role of the conformist or the role of the rebel. "Either you're with us or you're against us" played out on the intranational scale. I found that in my own story, I couldn't just partially drop out -- the system was set up to push me all the way out. In a way I'm glad, who knows what would have happened had this society provided even more numerous ways for people to acceptably rebel. It seems indeed that this culture has a death wish, just like Colonel Beatty and the rest of the "happy people" in Fahrenheit-451. As it is, death isn't much of a stretch from where people already are. Many people (of all generations) just wish to be put out of their misery, whether it be through drug abuse or video games or all of the fast-paced distractions we have available for us. Death is just the logical next step in "playing the game" of life avoidance. - Devin Hooray for Generation “Why?”! It’s important to recognize how much the controlling and overbearing techniques for child raising, whether they’re in the home or at school, force kids into either the role of the conformist or the role of the rebel. “Either you’re with us or you’re against us” played out on the intranational scale. I found that in my own story, I couldn’t just partially drop out — the system was set up to push me all the way out. In a way I’m glad, who knows what would have happened had this society provided even more numerous ways for people to acceptably rebel.

It seems indeed that this culture has a death wish, just like Colonel Beatty and the rest of the “happy people” in Fahrenheit-451. As it is, death isn’t much of a stretch from where people already are. Many people (of all generations) just wish to be put out of their misery, whether it be through drug abuse or video games or all of the fast-paced distractions we have available for us. Death is just the logical next step in “playing the game” of life avoidance.

- Devin

]]> By: Aaron http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6875 Aaron Sat, 04 Mar 2006 07:21:25 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6875 And here's the grammatically correct version This process was starting when I was at university in the early 90s. The year that followed mine was noticeably more study oriented and 'focused' than my year. If this startling difference between two consecutive years has continued every year since, there is even less hope for the future than I thought. And here’s the grammatically correct version

This process was starting when I was at university in the early 90s. The year that followed mine was noticeably more study oriented and ‘focused’ than my year. If this startling difference between two consecutive years has continued every year since, there is even less hope for the future than I thought.

]]> By: Aaron http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6874 Aaron Sat, 04 Mar 2006 07:18:51 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6874 This process was starting when I was at university in the early 90s. The year the at followed mine was noticeably more study oriented and 'focused' than my year. If this startling difference between two consecutive years has continued every year since then there is even less hope for the future than I thought. This process was starting when I was at university in the early 90s. The year the at followed mine was noticeably more study oriented and ‘focused’ than my year. If this startling difference between two consecutive years has continued every year since then there is even less hope for the future than I thought.

]]> By: Eric http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6865 Eric Sat, 04 Mar 2006 01:14:01 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6865 Check out homeschooling/unschooling for one alternative. Some are not doing it for religious reasons. Then turn off the TV, toss 'em outdoors every now and then, and let them be bored until they figure out how to make up games for themselves. Worth doing if you can swing it. (Easier to do than most believe.) Plus, it works. Check out homeschooling/unschooling for one alternative. Some are not doing it for religious reasons.

Then turn off the TV, toss ‘em outdoors every now and then, and let them be bored until they figure out how to make up games for themselves.

Worth doing if you can swing it. (Easier to do than most believe.)

Plus, it works.

]]> By: JCamasto http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6862 JCamasto Sat, 04 Mar 2006 00:53:14 +0000 http://anthropik.com/2006/03/talkin-bout-my-generation/#comment-6862 Well, I'm the other chromosome - genX. (Jezus, was it 1989 I concluded my BS?) Those are some ugly lookin' stats... This article fills in the foundation for the term <i>helicopter parents</i> - those parents that hover, plan, and protect jr. from cradle to grad skool. Like having your own personal assistant, trainer, and lawyer rolled into one... It's like a gambling addiction veiled as maternal love - parents so fully vested in this culture, they think doubling down with their kids lives is the play to make... <blockquote>Interesting. The generation that will face collapse is perfectly suited to not survive it.</blockquote> Sure puts a sharper point on the <i>self-eliminating</i> ways of our culture, for those that haven't seen coming. Maybe folks couldn't see the unsustainablitiy of our ways a couple of generations ago - but this is getting obvious. And exactly what we'd expect to see... <blockquote>Everyone, including the students, wanted MORE structure. </blockquote> This is how many vacation today (literally: vacate their existing lives) - every moment plotted, planed and accounted for, every situation & detail massaged, cartooned, de-loused and scrubbed clean for your protection (Disneyfication). No room for free-thinking, much less free-play. The silence would be deafening. -Jim Well, I’m the other chromosome - genX. (Jezus, was it 1989 I concluded my BS?)
Those are some ugly lookin’ stats…

This article fills in the foundation for the term helicopter parents - those parents that hover, plan, and protect jr. from cradle to grad skool. Like having your own personal assistant, trainer, and lawyer rolled into one… It’s like a gambling addiction veiled as maternal love - parents so fully vested in this culture, they think doubling down with their kids lives is the play to make…

Interesting. The generation that will face collapse is perfectly suited to not survive it.

Sure puts a sharper point on the self-eliminating ways of our culture, for those that haven’t seen coming. Maybe folks couldn’t see the unsustainablitiy of our ways a couple of generations ago - but this is getting obvious. And exactly what we’d expect to see…

Everyone, including the students, wanted MORE structure.

This is how many vacation today (literally: vacate their existing lives) - every moment plotted, planed and accounted for, every situation & detail massaged, cartooned, de-loused and scrubbed clean for your protection (Disneyfication).

No room for free-thinking, much less free-play. The silence would be deafening.

-Jim

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