Are We Raising a Generation of Helpless Kids?

[Mudd]

Grandkids are great.

A strain of bacteria cultured long enough in Petri dishes may be better adapted to live there and less able to thrive elsewhere - does that make it "helpless?" Is it making "progress?" Where you sit determines what you see.

 

[KimMH]

^Hmmph. Rub it in why dontcha.

We all lack the benefit of hindsight with which to evaluate this generation. Fifty years from now these kids will bemoan the lack of * __________________ * their kids will evidence.

One thing about getting older is you have more years to be disappointed by life and the world in general and people in particular. I'm hoping grandkids will change my perspective a bit on that.

OT, another thing that occurred to me is that people rise to the challenges they are presented. Older generations had very large obstacles to overcome and worked their asses off so their kids and grandkids wouldn't have to have lives that were as hard as theirs.

The things we and our kids will overcome will look far more modest because they are being fought on different battlefields. Technology and public opinion are the new weapons.

I would think the biggest mark of success for future generations is how equally distributed access is to the basics and more. That must seem like a small thing or even a backwards step; but distribution of resources is still the biggest obstacle to progress I see.

 

[Mudd]

We all lack the benefit of hindsight with which to evaluate this generation. Fifty years from now these kids will bemoan the lack of * __________________ * their kids will evidence.

Of course they will. You know that. They don't believe it. They live in the arrogance and confusion of youth. Others of us live in the arrogance and confusion of...well, in my case probably senescence.

One thing about getting older is you have more years to be disappointed by life and the world in general and people in particular. I'm hoping grandkids will change my perspective a bit on that.

I'm not at all disappointed, but I've probably exchanged one set of illusions for another. Yeah, grandkids are wonderful.

OT, another thing that occurred to me is that people rise to the challenges they are presented. Older generations had very large obstacles to overcome and worked their asses off so their kids and grandkids wouldn't have to have lives that were as hard as theirs.

This is true. One problem is that the parents often unthinkingly expect the kids to somehow learn the lessons they did as a result of being told about them despite experiencing a very different way of life. Doesn't usually work out.

I would think the biggest mark of success for future generations is how equally distributed access is to the basics and more. That must seem like a small thing or even a backwards step; but distribution of resources is still the biggest obstacle to progress I see.

Bingo! And sadly that's not trending well. "Net neutrality" is not "access to the basics," though some folks seem to think so.

The only thing that's happened at this end of the planet during my lifetime that's positive and really matters is the continuing pressure to obtain and to assure equal treatment for all persons under the law - and corollary to that, access to legal redress when that's violated. In most other respects we've been losing ground.

 

[KimMH]

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Bingo! And sadly that's not trending well. "Net neutrality" is not "access to the basics," though some folks seem to think so.

The only thing that's happened at this end of the planet during my lifetime that's positive and really matters is the continuing pressure to obtain and to assure equal treatment for all persons under the law - and corollary to that, access to legal redress when that's violated. In most other respects we've been losing ground.[/QUOTE]





That's a painfully valid point. I actually blame the rise of "corporations as people" and that ilk for the lost ground. It has a lot of tentacles - such as marketing and advertising. I see those as another form of class warfare - large corporations using their marketing and advertising to shape public opinion and perception. Some people obviously know when they're being lied to but who has the time to combat every bit of the tsunami of crap in which we're drowning? This also speaks to net neutrality as access to information should never be a commodity that is sold like a pound of meat at the grocers. It is in danger of falling completely under the control of select corporations which will do just that for profit.

Globally the outlook seems more dismal for places where a strong democratic movement has not had time to incubate. It's like they are skipping the heady heyday of the birth of democracy and going straight to autocratic rule under their glorious new corporate sponsors.

The encouraging sneaky subversive little thing I hold out hope for is electronic media and it's ability to shine a light in dark places.

Hearing about the experiences of people living in repressive regimes may do as much to open those cultures as military coups and toppling governments.

 

[Mudd]

The encouraging sneaky subversive little thing I hold out hope for is electronic media and it's ability to shine a light in dark places.

Hearing about the experiences of people living in repressive regimes may do as much to open those cultures as military coups and toppling governments.

But does it? The question is, how long do people who have resources continue to pay attention to distant events? Making real changes that improve life for those who have least requires a lot of time and effort and - oh, iPhone 6 is out!

So far what the Internet is accomplishing best is making businesses more effective at selling people the things they want people to want.

 

[KimMH]

But does it? The question is, how long do people who have resources continue to pay attention to distant events? Making real changes that improve life for those who have least requires a lot of time and effort and - oh, iPhone 6 is out!

So far what the Internet is accomplishing best is making businesses more effective at selling people the things they want people to want.

So far, yes. The internet is showing people what they lack. People do rush out (camp-out - really?) to buy the newest thing. As a tool of commerce it is unparalleled. Exactly my point.

It should become a weapon in the fight against apathy and poverty and ignorance; and some of that fight goes on in places like this; people talking about it - helping other people see new perspectives and giving/getting encouragement to do the right thing. Vote, speak out against bullying, give someone a sandwich for pete's sake, put spare change in a bucket for the community center or literacy program. Not all the skirmishes have to be large.

Short attention spans aside, I do think social/electronic media does show people that their neighbors are in Africa and Asia and the Middle East (I know that term is outdated.) That is one of the other greatest powers social media has - making the world even smaller and showing us our neighbors aren't really that far away and not that different from us. Realizing that most people far away want the same things we want is a big first step towards doing something about that.

The fight will go to the ones who care about it most - it's our job as parents and grandparents to make them care. I don't expect to do great things with my time here but that's one of the big things I've been working on.

 

[Mudd]

That's reasonable.

 

[Mudang Harada]

But does it? The question is, how long do people who have resources continue to pay attention to distant events? Making real changes that improve life for those who have least requires a lot of time and effort and - oh, iPhone 6 is out!

So far what the Internet is accomplishing best is making businesses more effective at selling people the things they want people to want.

So far, yes. The internet is showing people what they lack. People do rush out (camp-out - really?) to buy the newest thing. As a tool of commerce it is unparalleled. Exactly my point.

It should become a weapon in the fight against apathy and poverty and ignorance; and some of that fight goes on in places like this; people talking about it - helping other people see new perspectives and giving/getting encouragement to do the right thing. Vote, speak out against bullying, give someone a sandwich for pete's sake, put spare change in a bucket for the community center or literacy program. Not all the skirmishes have to be large.

Short attention spans aside, I do think social/electronic media does show people that their neighbors are in Africa and Asia and the Middle East (I know that term is outdated.) That is one of the other greatest powers social media has - making the world even smaller and showing us our neighbors aren't really that far away and not that different from us. Realizing that most people far away want the same things we want is a big first step towards doing something about that.

The fight will go to the ones who care about it most - it's our job as parents and grandparents to make them care. I don't expect to do great things with my time here but that's one of the big things I've been working on.

The internet makes it easier for people to live in a bubble.

 

[Mudd]

But does it? The question is, how long do people who have resources continue to pay attention to distant events? Making real changes that improve life for those who have least requires a lot of time and effort and - oh, iPhone 6 is out!

So far what the Internet is accomplishing best is making businesses more effective at selling people the things they want people to want.

So far, yes. The internet is showing people what they lack. People do rush out (camp-out - really?) to buy the newest thing. As a tool of commerce it is unparalleled. Exactly my point.

It should become a weapon in the fight against apathy and poverty and ignorance; and some of that fight goes on in places like this; people talking about it - helping other people see new perspectives and giving/getting encouragement to do the right thing. Vote, speak out against bullying, give someone a sandwich for pete's sake, put spare change in a bucket for the community center or literacy program. Not all the skirmishes have to be large.

Short attention spans aside, I do think social/electronic media does show people that their neighbors are in Africa and Asia and the Middle East (I know that term is outdated.) That is one of the other greatest powers social media has - making the world even smaller and showing us our neighbors aren't really that far away and not that different from us. Realizing that most people far away want the same things we want is a big first step towards doing something about that.

The fight will go to the ones who care about it most - it's our job as parents and grandparents to make them care. I don't expect to do great things with my time here but that's one of the big things I've been working on.

The internet makes it easier for people to live in a bubble.

Somewhat true. It does enable marginal people to have some connection with others, and even organize.

Since watching the Gamergate nonsense for a while I'm somewhat more inclined to answer the OP's question "a lot of 'em, yeah." I'm sure it'll pass.

 

[thumbtack]

The internet makes it easier for people to live in a bubble.

And the problems appear when they begin to insist that their chosen bubble is a reasonably accurate representation of the overall culture that bubble is part of; that it's all quite real, or close to real.


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[Mudang Harada]

 

[Mudang Harada]

So far, yes. The internet is showing people what they lack. People do rush out (camp-out - really?) to buy the newest thing. As a tool of commerce it is unparalleled. Exactly my point.

It should become a weapon in the fight against apathy and poverty and ignorance; and some of that fight goes on in places like this; people talking about it - helping other people see new perspectives and giving/getting encouragement to do the right thing. Vote, speak out against bullying, give someone a sandwich for pete's sake, put spare change in a bucket for the community center or literacy program. Not all the skirmishes have to be large.

Short attention spans aside, I do think social/electronic media does show people that their neighbors are in Africa and Asia and the Middle East (I know that term is outdated.) That is one of the other greatest powers social media has - making the world even smaller and showing us our neighbors aren't really that far away and not that different from us. Realizing that most people far away want the same things we want is a big first step towards doing something about that.

The fight will go to the ones who care about it most - it's our job as parents and grandparents to make them care. I don't expect to do great things with my time here but that's one of the big things I've been working on.

The internet makes it easier for people to live in a bubble.

Somewhat true. It does enable marginal people to have some connection with others, and even organize.

Since watching the Gamergate nonsense for a while I'm somewhat more inclined to answer the OP's question "a lot of 'em, yeah." I'm sure it'll pass.

It also allows ''mainstream'' people to put blinders on. I have not followed Gamergate but could Sarkewhatever be legitimatly citicized for being on Colbert despite the fact that she supported CancelColbert?

 

[Gov Kodos]

The internet makes it easier for people to live in a bubble.

Somewhat true. It does enable marginal people to have some connection with others, and even organize.

Since watching the Gamergate nonsense for a while I'm somewhat more inclined to answer the OP's question "a lot of 'em, yeah." I'm sure it'll pass.

It also allows ''mainstream'' people to put blinders on. I have not followed Gamergate but could Sarkewhatever be legitimatly citicized for being on Colbert despite the fact that she supported CancelColbert?

Sarkeesian, your spelling issues aside, you can back this claim up, right? Or is your lack of knowledge of Gamergate inclusive of hack work like this post?

 

[BigJake]

It also allows ''mainstream'' people to put blinders on. I have not followed Gamergate but could Sarkewhatever be legitimatly citicized for being on Colbert despite the fact that she supported CancelColbert?

You "haven't followed GamerGate" but just by total coincidence would like to discuss the latest lie from GamerGate?

Yeah, seems legit.

 

[Mudang Harada]

My mistake someone i respect presented it as a fact on an another message board and i had not checked. I will go back to not giving a damn about every culture war stupidity that comes up.

 

[Mr Awe]

This article is exagerates the truth and seems to be an ad for the services and products of one Tim Elmore. Sheesh.

Mr Awe

 

[Mr Awe]

Ugh. Dennis, Cut the patronizing crap, It's disrespectful and detracts from any validity your argument might have. You're doing a poor enough job of understanding what I am thinking and feeling now, that you'd even presume to predict what my future mindset will be is laughable. No, I don't know what I'll be like in 30 years, but that it's a mystery to me makes it unfathomable to you, and to argue anything else is not wisdom, it's utter foolishness.

I'm sure he feels quite safe making the prediction because he won't be around to be proven wrong!

The kids these days are fine, and they pretty much always have been.

I agree with this. And, despite a barrage of claims saying that they're lazy and entitled, I actually think the have it tougher than previous generations. And, I'm mainly thinking of college graduates here. Many college graduates can't find a job because they aren't enough and have tons of student loans which must be a huge burden.

Universities have raised tuition so drastically, far outstripping inflation, and even growing faster than health care costs. The Higher Ed systme is shamelessly milking the young folk who are the future of the country for more money!

Mr Awe