OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread

[Honestbuckeye]

Even worse. But as the Florida post I just made showed, this is still a national trend.

And the point being that you talk about what our grandparents did to afford a house, but failed to mention that the houses relative to income are significantly more expensive today.

Oh, and those are increasingly two-income households--which in contrast to what you posted regarding grandparents where the wife predominently stayed at home so they only had one car, necessitates being a two-vehicle household. Yet you blame them for having two cars.

But no... Let's just blame today's generation for being coddled and whiny, while we disregard the tremendous societal changes that actually make home ownership more expensive and harder to achieve.

You are confusing me.

homeownership today is much harder to achieve financially than it was many years ago. I don’t think anybody disputes that and that’s kind of unknown and universally accepted challenge for our country. But it’s not new. It has been trending that way for many, many years. 

but what does that have to do with the boomer generation?

And now you’re yelling at boomers for blaming the “younger generation“ but remember this pot got stirred from somebody blaming the boomers, for basically anything, and everything

so what is your point?

[betarhoalphadelta]

You are confusing me.

homeownership today is much harder to achieve financially than it was many years ago. I don’t think anybody disputes that and that’s kind of unknown and universally accepted challenge for our country. But it’s not new. It has been trending that way for many, many years.

but what does that have to do with the boomer generation?

And now you’re yelling at boomers for blaming the “younger generation“ but remember this pot got stirred from somebody blaming the boomers, for basically anything, and everything

so what is your point?

My point is that what bothers me is that the Boomers are tone-deaf and lack empathy for the generations that came after. 

They rode a wave of prosperity and economic/financial/social conditions that were of enormous benefit. One that later generations didn't have. But when questioned about it, they act like they were the cause of those conditions rather than the beneficiaries, and that the later generations are just whining because they're not as hard-working, or as disciplined, or whatever as the Boomers.

Essentially, to use the old adage, the Boomers were born on third base and think they hit a triple. Or to use a newer one, they've failed to check their privilege. 

There are other policy things--not done deliberately IMHO but merely out of self-interest--where you can make an argument that the Boomers ascended the ladder and then pulled it up after them. That gets a little more dicey to talk about, so I've mostly avoided it. 

But I just don't like their attitude. And that's what I'm calling them out over. 

[847badgerfan]

I'd blame whoever followed the Boomers

you and my brother!

Hah!

A. So, their mom grew up in Pleasantville. 

B. Their Stepdad grew up very far from that area, near some railroad tracks on the other side.

Ask my boys how they were raised.

(Hint: It's not A.)

[Honestbuckeye]

My point is that what bothers me is that the Boomers are tone-deaf and lack empathy for the generations that came after.

They rode a wave of prosperity and economic/financial/social conditions that were of enormous benefit. One that later generations didn't have. But when questioned about it, they act like they were the cause of those conditions rather than the beneficiaries, and that the later generations are just whining because they're not as hard-working, or as disciplined, or whatever as the Boomers.

Essentially, to use the old adage, the Boomers were born on third base and think they hit a triple. Or to use a newer one, they've failed to check their privilege.

There are other policy things--not done deliberately IMHO but merely out of self-interest--where you can make an argument that the Boomers ascended the ladder and then pulled it up after them. That gets a little more dicey to talk about, so I've mostly avoided it.

But I just don't like their attitude. And that's what I'm calling them out over.

Their attitude.  Interesting.  I respect your observations- but I am sure you know that is the sweeepiest of generalizations.

Maybe because I am at the very tail end of the defined years of the baby boomer generation- I have been immersed by people and culture with more of the Gen X traits, so I just don’t see much ( some, yes) of what you describe.  My folks and their friends/family were the Silent generation- so I didn’t grow up with what you are seeing. 
Sure- there has always been the
older, grumpier bitching about young folks and their cloths, their music, etc.  But most of that I witnessed came from my grandparents- The Greatest Generation. 

I will take your word for it I guess. But I just don’t see it.  And I have a career and a geography where if it was prevalent, it would be really obvious.

[betarhoalphadelta]

Their attitude.  Interesting.  I respect your observations- but I am sure you know that is the sweeepiest of generalizations.

Of course. It's not everyone. The ones guilty of it make the sweepiest of generalizations about the younger generation, though. And it's the ones guilty of it who are the loudest, which is why the perception exists that it's more prevalent amongst the generation as a whole. 

The loudest of any group can disproportionately affect perception of said group. 

[847badgerfan]

Try hiring kids out of college these days and let me know how that goes for ya.

[MrNubbz]

My point is that what bothers me is that the Boomers are tone-deaf and lack empathy for the generations that came after.

Wasn't it you that groused to OAM about "sweeping generalizations"? So what infraction are 67 million people all in consensus about? I've stated repeatedly "I weep for the future" so sans myself who ya got?

[utee94]

My point is that what bothers me is that the Boomers are tone-deaf and lack empathy for the generations that came after.

...

But I just don't like their attitude. And that's what I'm calling them out over.

Some are, some aren't.  Some do, some don't.

Just like some Millennials and GenZ really are as lazy and entitled as they're often accused of.  And some aren't.

[Honestbuckeye]

Some are, some aren't.  Some do, some don't.

Just like some Millennials and GenZ really are as lazy and entitled as they're often accused of.  And some aren't.

This is a great point. 

I will admit, I do view some people as lazy and entitled, but I don’t associate it with their age, per se, or their generation.  I’m not sure I could put them into a group of any kind.

And this is a sweeping generalization. I’m about to make so I will admit it ahead of time, but I do think social media certainly enhances it if not causes it at times for many people. 

[utee94]

Social media become an incredibly destructive echo chamber for those who use it.  A deliberately addictive and toxic feedback loop.

I don't click on all the bulljive so my Facebook feed is pretty much just my family and friends, and then some reels that are mostly about classic cars and skateboard tricks (I watch them with my son).

Oh, and for the past week or so, it's also a bunch of Euro people that are in the USA for the World Cup and they're fascinated and overjoyed by places like Buccees and Waffle House.  It's really nice and refreshing seeing our country through their eyes.

[MrNubbz]

This is a great point. 

I will admit, I do view some people as lazy and entitled, but I don’t associate it with their age, per se, or their generation.  I’m not sure I could put them into a group of any kind.

And this is a sweeping generalization. I’m about to make so I will admit it ahead of time, but I do think social media certainly enhances it if not causes it at times for many people. 

As some one else said whose name escapes me right now - "Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please." Who the hell said that?

[betarhoalphadelta]

I don't have Facebook. I deleted my account once when it was toxic, but then opened a new one when I got divorced. Then got sick of it again and deleted it. It made me want to punch people. And the worst thing about it... It made me want to punch people who I agreed with! It's terrible to see someone who has the same position on me on a topic make such dumb and useless arguments that it makes me change my opinion just to avoid being tarnished by association with such a moron.

I technically have Instagram, although I deleted the app from my phone for a long time. Now I've had to get it back since my son is graduated and he's got an account, so I have to be able to keep an eye on things. I look at my Instagram feed about once a week, if that. I even put it on the second page of my phone to keep it out-of-sight, out-of-mind. 

Unfortunately, I'm going to be getting more active on LinkedIn, due to being a slightly more public face of my company. I'd much prefer not to. 

[Honestbuckeye]

Social media become an incredibly destructive echo chamber for those who use it.  A deliberately addictive and toxic feedback loop.

I don't click on all the bulljive so my Facebook feed is pretty much just my family and friends, and then some reels that are mostly about classic cars and skateboard tricks (I watch them with my son).

Oh, and for the past week or so, it's also a bunch of Euro people that are in the USA for the World Cup and they're fascinated and overjoyed by places like Buccees and Waffle House.  It's really nice and refreshing seeing our country through their eyes.

Honestly it’s been so refreshing to see people from other countries going online or on TV and talking about how great America is and how much they like it here.  I even saw a couple last night where they were saying that if they had believed what the media tells them, which is all they really get, they would have thought America was a horrible place but now that they’re here they think it’s freaking amazing! 

[847badgerfan]

Honestly it’s been so refreshing to see people from other countries going online or on TV and talking about how great America is and how much they like it here.  I even saw a couple last night where they were saying that if they had believed what the media tells them, which is all they really get, they would have thought America was a horrible place but now that they’re here they think it’s freaking amazing! 

I saw that too. They like the freedom, the people, the landscape, and the hot dogs.