To the ITulip Community - A Worldview from Some of Another Generation

[sunskyfan]

Re: To the ITulip Community - A Worldview from Some of Another Generation

Funny how the world and the internet works. I grew up in Haysville, Kansas. A few miles West of Derby in a house very similar to the one you high-lighted (my 85 year old Father still lives there). Derby has Boeing and McConnell AFB to feed it. Not many small towns in America have such a luxury. There are cheap homes and low cost lifestyles but the paradox is that, generally, there are no jobs either. There are as many churches as businesses in that part of the country. There is a reason for that.

[cindykimlisa]

Re: To the ITulip Community - A Worldview from Some of Another Generation

Boomer here 58 years old

I live in my first home with no dishwasher and no ac that I paid $31000 for. I made big bucks. I drove 15 year old cars. I paid cash for my kids college tuition - no debt for them- no debt for me. I got money in the bank and I retired in my 40's. I shop at the outlet malls and buy everything out of season at deep discounts. I am clergy now, I make one fifth of what I used to make, It doesnt matter if you are a boomer or a groomer but it does matter if you and your family make good choices. It is true that due to circumstances that some people heve no good choices available - But I do not drink $3 coffee and have or have a hundred dollar a month cell phone either.

Cindy

[Raz]

Re: To the ITulip Community - A Worldview from Some of Another Generation

I am 47 and have three "boomer" brothers ages 53-60 now. I work with PHD types in their late 20s and have two teenage sons. I see into these worlds via these people and their friends and have some thoughts. Just observations.

I can't see a difference in quality of people but I do see a difference in expectations and ground rules.

Boomers tend to have a lot of faith in humanity and that if we redirected our resources to what we need to do all will be okay. We can stop global warming. They are, however, ultimately selfish and want a very high standard of living no matter what the cost to everyone else. They still want their SUV. Because of the pill they were taught sex equals liberation. Because of Vietnam they were taught war was about control.

Those born after replace selfishness with rudeness and they have been happy to go into debt like no one before them. They like stuff and gadgets. They are very independent except for the debt thing. If they purchase correctly they will solve global warming. They are cynical about everybody else but optimistic about themselves and their friends. Very clickish. They will totally ignore who they are with to text chat with someone else. Because of AIDS they were taught sex equals death. Because of Desert Storm they were taught war was bloodless and easy and could be carried out remotely and painlessly. IF a ruthless horrific leader rises the next 40 years it will be out of this generation.

Those born the last 20 years are completely disengaged and cynical about everything from war to sex. Global warming will give us something to do. They are the home video game generation totally. They don't seem to have any sexual hangups but since condoms are now a part of everything sex is a very disengaged exercise like everything else in their lives. They see war as "The War on Terror" and really think it is about economics more than anything else. It is the engine that drives our lives. Bush's utterance about "go shopping" in response to 911 resonates with these folks and they have and will. But buying to them is about consuming or experiencing not about having. Debt to them is just a credit card which is like money. A means to an ends with no end. Everything is about entertainment and importance is indicated by drama. Most of their families are openly dysfunctional. They are good to each other and are very clued into the world when they decide to pay attention. They sense something is coming and it will change their lives. Things are out of their control. They don't know whether the change is going to be like one of the parents leaving them or another 911. To them it, deep down, just does not matter. They are pretty sure the world is on its way to hell but that's okay because they have been trained to live in a post apocalypse world via Halo and Call to Duty since day one. Even the Un-dead are no match for them.

EXCELLENT post, Sunsky. I'm ten years older and hail from the opposite end of the political spectrum,
yet find myself in complete agreement with you on this one.