OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread

[jgvol]

I think it was more related to being a generation that really had so few struggles that they had to invent things to complain about.  They had zero perspective on what it was like to live a tough life.  They didn't even live with the Cold War terror that my generation grew up with. 

I was a latchkey kid, pretty much all of my friends were as well.  It didn't turn me into... whatever those kids became.

I assumed you were close to my age.  Maybe not?

I can assure you we had the cold war terror drills as youngsters, as did the guys (slightly older) that were making that teenage angst music.

Those Gen-X kids mostly became me, and most of us on here.  We're fine.  LOL

[utee94]

Yeah I'm GenX.  Born in 71.  My mom went back to work when I was 8 years old and I was latchkeying from that point on. 

So I suppose it was some of our generation that were MAKING the whiny complaint rock, but it wasn't me or my peers that were listening to it.

[betarhoalphadelta]

That's a crock.

Some Boomers (and GenX) are guilty for sure.

They coddled their offspring into being lazy slugs, sending them off to college for a garbage degree, then allowing them basement space as they try to figure out life, collect Pokeman cards and order Door dash.

This rather than inspire their kids to work hard, take risks and support society.

Big mistakes were made.

I think the annoyance is with takes like this one. 

What OAM is pointing out is that Boomers were the beneficiary of a lot of demographic and historical advantages, which they didn't cause but are more than happy to take credit for. And then they're dismissive of those who came after them when those advantages have evaporated, acting like every generation behind them has struggles because they just didn't work as hard. 

I think it gets a little hyperbolic when people start talking about thinks like "intergenerational theft", because it's not like the Boomers were doing anything wrong, malicious, or illegal. But it's not silly to highlight that they grew up in a different time than other generations, benefited from it, and that some of their actions and government policies that they voted for have made things harder for those who came later.

[Honestbuckeye]

I think the annoyance is with takes like this one.

What OAM is pointing out is that Boomers were the beneficiary of a lot of demographic and historical advantages, which they didn't cause but are more than happy to take credit for. And then they're dismissive of those who came after them when those advantages have evaporated, acting like every generation behind them has struggles because they just didn't work as hard.

I think it gets a little hyperbolic when people start talking about thinks like "intergenerational theft", because it's not like the Boomers were doing anything wrong, malicious, or illegal. But it's not silly to highlight that they grew up in a different time than other generations, benefited from it, and that some of their actions and government policies that they voted for have made things harder for those who came later.

Interesting opinion.

[jgvol]

I think the annoyance is with takes like this one.

What OAM is pointing out is that Boomers were the beneficiary of a lot of demographic and historical advantages, which they didn't cause but are more than happy to take credit for. And then they're dismissive of those who came after them when those advantages have evaporated, acting like every generation behind them has struggles because they just didn't work as hard.

I think it gets a little hyperbolic when people start talking about thinks like "intergenerational theft", because it's not like the Boomers were doing anything wrong, malicious, or illegal. But it's not silly to highlight that they grew up in a different time than other generations, benefited from it, and that some of their actions and government policies that they voted for have made things harder for those who came later.

Spot on.

[utee94]

Vitriolic, hyperbolic claims and assertions, are a problem, no matter which way it is generationally directed, either up or down.

The emotion removes the capability for honest discussion.  It distracts, enrages, and polarizes.

[utee94]

Vitriolic, hyperbolic claims and assertions, are a problem, no matter which way it is generationally directed, either up or down.

The emotion removes the capability for honest discussion.  It distracts, enrages, and polarizes.

That said, I can still blame the emo kids for all the whiny complaint rock that permeated the airwaves in the 90s.  Screw that generation (even if it's my own).

[847badgerfan]

I was a latchkey kid, pretty much all of my friends were as well.  It didn't turn me into... whatever those kids became.

I think it was more related to being a generation that really had so few struggles that they had to invent things to complain about.  They had zero perspective on what it was like to live a tough life.  They didn't even live with the Cold War terror that my generation grew up with.

Don't forget the pending ice age.

[MikeDeTiger]

I think the annoyance is with takes like this one.

What OAM is pointing out is that Boomers were the beneficiary of a lot of demographic and historical advantages, which they didn't cause but are more than happy to take credit for. And then they're dismissive of those who came after them when those advantages have evaporated, acting like every generation behind them has struggles because they just didn't work as hard.

I think it gets a little hyperbolic when people start talking about thinks like "intergenerational theft", because it's not like the Boomers were doing anything wrong, malicious, or illegal. But it's not silly to highlight that they grew up in a different time than other generations, benefited from it, and that some of their actions and government policies that they voted for have made things harder for those who came later.

Mostly agree here.  I don't think it's helpful to lean too hard toward either extreme when there is a middle ground with a lot of explanatory scope and power.  

I think a lot of the Boomer criticism is unfair and is theoretical navel-gazing that's so common with those who level it, while ignoring real-world factors that mitigate things a fair bit.  The Boomers are also not above reproach, nor have they done everything well and right, or--in a collective way--seemed to care about what subsequent generations after them are going to deal with.  

I think a lot of the criticisms of the generations after them (including me) are fair, yet it's still fine and logically coherent to acknowledge that we're facing more uphill circumstances in a number of areas than the Boomers.  (And some of that largely applies to Gen Z.  I've previously identified several challenges they have that even Gen X and Gen Y (me) did not, let alone the Boomers.  But then we ruled out politics and I shut up about it.) 

It doesn't have to be an either/or thing.  And I don't think it is.  But I won't say more, because it would get political in a hurry.  

[Honestbuckeye]

“What OAM is pointing out is that Boomers were the beneficiary of a lot of demographic and historical advantages, which they didn't cause but are more than happy to take credit for. And then they're dismissive of those who came after them when those advantages have evaporated, acting like every generation behind them has struggles because they just didn't work as hard. “


This is the annoyance.  Sweeping generalizations and proclamations with ZERO examples or real evidence to back them up.  

[847badgerfan]

I think the annoyance is with takes like this one.

What OAM is pointing out is that Boomers were the beneficiary of a lot of demographic and historical advantages, which they didn't cause but are more than happy to take credit for. And then they're dismissive of those who came after them when those advantages have evaporated, acting like every generation behind them has struggles because they just didn't work as hard.

I think it gets a little hyperbolic when people start talking about thinks like "intergenerational theft", because it's not like the Boomers were doing anything wrong, malicious, or illegal. But it's not silly to highlight that they grew up in a different time than other generations, benefited from it, and that some of their actions and government policies that they voted for have made things harder for those who came later.

Such as?

You don't think Boomers created any demographic or historic advantages for those coming behind them? Am I correct here?

I think people who have owned businesses and created wealth for themselves, and others, have a far different perspective.

[847badgerfan]

“What OAM is pointing out is that Boomers were the beneficiary of a lot of demographic and historical advantages, which they didn't cause but are more than happy to take credit for. And then they're dismissive of those who came after them when those advantages have evaporated, acting like every generation behind them has struggles because they just didn't work as hard. “


This is the annoyance.  Sweeping generalizations and proclamations with ZERO examples or real evidence to back them up. 

Exactly right.

[jgvol]

“What OAM is pointing out is that Boomers were the beneficiary of a lot of demographic and historical advantages, which they didn't cause but are more than happy to take credit for. And then they're dismissive of those who came after them when those advantages have evaporated, acting like every generation behind them has struggles because they just didn't work as hard. “


This is the annoyance.  Sweeping generalizations and proclamations with ZERO examples or real evidence to back them up. 

The generalizations are there, because the conversation would go immediately political, and then the conversation would get nuked from orbit, leaving only blame and finger pointing.

It's really not a difficult exercise to surmise how the country is much different politically, culturally, and demographically --- without casting one single shred of blame on the Boomers --- other than their failure to acknowledge that the times are radically different.

[utee94]

The generalizations are there, because the conversation would go immediately political, and then the conversation would get nuked from orbit, leaving only blame and finger pointing.

It's really not a difficult exercise to surmise how the country is much different politically, culturally, and demographically --- without casting one single shred of blame on the Boomers --- other than their failure to acknowledge that the times are radically different.

If ALL Boomers fit this then you might have a point.  But again this is just another generalization, and it's emotional rather than rational, which then precludes any legitimate discussion or debate.

Nuance, how does it even work???