[Golfingnut]

Several threads lately have raised the temperature in TOTV that hit on the subject of SOCIAL CHANGE. I have done my own research to see if there is a collation between US OLD CODGERS and the 20 and 30 year olds. Wow did I see a major difference in views on social changes that have been made in the last 30 to 40 years. We older folks do seem to hang on to what was tradition for us. Remembering when I was a teen ager and had a duck tail in my hair, I wore blue jeans and smacked on gum. Adults close to me in those days swore I was part of a movement to destroy moral values in America. LOL Well, now I see the same old me, but in the older age group talking about how this generation of young people have no moral value and are destroying the traditional fabric of America. Please, I don't know what this means, but in my opinion, my generation is doing just fine and with lots of social changes I think even better than my parents generation. Also, I for one have the utmost confidence in my children's generation, we will see even bigger and better changes in social areas. I also believe when my Generation is pushed out of all the power seats in America we will be on our way to a better America. This is just my opinion and I respect yours even if different than mine.

[ugotme]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Several threads lately have raised the temperature in TOTV that hit on the subject of SOCIAL CHANGE. I have done my own research to see if there is a collation between US OLD CODGERS and the 20 and 30 year olds. Wow did I see a major difference in views on social changes that have been made in the last 30 to 40 years. We older folks do seem to hang on to what was tradition for us. Remembering when I was a teen ager and had a duck tail in my hair, I wore blue jeans and smacked on gum. Adults close to me in those days swore I was part of a movement to destroy moral values in America. LOL Well, now I see the same old me, but in the older age group talking about how this generation of young people have no moral value and are destroying the traditional fabric of America. Please, I don't know what this means, but in my opinion, my generation is doing just fine and with lots of social changes I think even better than my parents generation. Also, I for one have the utmost confidence in my children's generation, we will see even bigger and better changes in social areas. I also believe when my Generation is pushed out of all the power seats in America we will be on our way to a better America. This is just my opinion and I respect yours even if different than mine.

I agree!

I think of it like music - every generation (basically) dislikes the next generations music. And so on and so on.

Most of the "young-uns" I know are good, upstanding people. If you would have asked me about them 15 years ago I might have espoused a different answer.

Life goes on !

[Villages PL]

Looking forward to change in the future implies discontent and some would say neurosis. It reminds me of a book that was written many years ago by psychoanalyst, Norman O. Brown. The titlle was: Life Against Death: The Psychoanalytical Meaning Of History.

I could be wrong, but what I got from it 50 years ago is that people who seek change are neurotic. I believe he compared modern civilization with primitive tribes that never change. If you're totally content with your life, why would you want to change? So I think it makes sense.

This striving for things to be better and better implies that we're in a mess. That's not to say that we are not in a mess but you have to wonder: Where are we going? Where do we hope to be in the future? Are we getting somewhere or just chasing our tails? And if things do get "better" who will it be better for?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Looking forward to change in the future implies discontent and some would say neurosis. It reminds me of a book that was written many years ago by psychoanalyst, Norman O. Brown. The titlle was: Life Against Death: The Psychoanalytical Meaning Of History.

I could be wrong, but what I got from it 50 years ago is that people who seek change are neurotic. I believe he compared modern civilization with primitive tribes that never change. If you're totally content with your life, why would you want to change? So I think it makes sense.

This striving for things to be better and better implies that we're in a mess. So, you have to wonder: Where are we going? Where do we hope to be in the future? Are we getting somewhere or just chasing our tails? And if things do get "better" who will it be better for?

I am totally content with my life, but I am not totally content with how others are having to struggle with their lives, and therein lies my willingness and desire to effect change, and I DO NOT think that makes me neurotic, thank you very much.

[rubicon]

Since I was not counted among that baby boomer generation that believed it best to make love and not war. And since I was not part of that boomer generation that turned on, (drugs) thought Woodstock was a trip equal to religious journey to mecca....I'd say that it is disappointing to find far too many of each subsequent generation pulling away more and more from American values of faith, family moral behavior sacriface, etc. I find far too many of today's youth suffering from chauffeur knowledge thanks to the indoctrination of many of our colleges and universities. Our youth for far too long have been taught to feel and not to think . Critical thinking, debate civics, etc have been substituted for ethnic studies, etc which have only contributed to dumbing down our educational system. If art does imitate real life then based on television shows, movies music we are in a sorry state and according to most movies being consumed by vampires or nuclear holocausts . Compare the greatest generation's movies songs etc. They conveyed true love, signal hope and were clear in their morality .

So one's opinion is relative to where they where and who they were during the good old days.

I opine, you decide

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by CFrance

[/B]

I am totally content with my life, but I am not totally content with how others are having to struggle with their lives, and therein lies my willingness and desire to effect change, and I DO NOT think that makes me neurotic, thank you very much.

If you're not content with others having to struggle, you're not content. That's one of the reasons we feel compelled to change. The way things are set up, it's not even a choice anymore. We live in a culture of change.

I don't think his book was aimed at individuals per se, I think he was describing the condition of "modern" culture. None of us can stop it; we're in it and we just have to deal with it.

[Golfingnut]

Some good points, but one specifically caught my eye was the comment that if your satisfied with your life why change. Good thought and I am 100% satisfied with my life, but so was my parents and things changed that allowed me to be satisfied with mine today. I see changes coming with the younger people that will make my life seem outdated, still too many prejudices that they will change and I sincerely believe that is a good thing. Bring it on younger generation with my blessing and promise of support.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by CFrance

[/B]

I am totally content with my life, but I am not totally content with how others are having to struggle with their lives, and therein lies my willingness and desire to effect change, and I DO NOT think that makes me neurotic, thank you very much.

I also am 100% satisfied with my life just the way it is. That said, the younger generation WILL change things and drop some of our prejudices that are just simply no longer tolerated today. That is a good thing and a progressive way to make the Earth a better place for all mankind. I had so many advantages because of my, well, I had so many advantages that was not fair, and hopfully the younger generation will level the playing field for everyone regardless of their heritage.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

I also am 100% satisfied with my life just the way it is. That said, the younger generation WILL change things and drop some of our prejudices that are just simply no longer tolerated today. That is a good thing and a progressive way to make the Earth a better place for all mankind. I had so many advantages because of my, well, I had so many advantages that was not fair, and hopfully the younger generation will level the playing field for everyone regardless of their heritage.

Wonderful post, golfingnut. Thank you for those statements.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by CFrance

[/B]I am totally content with my life, but I am not totally content with how others are having to struggle with their lives, and therein lies my willingness and desire to effect change, and I DO NOT think that makes me neurotic, thank you very much.

This statement is about as close to any in this thread that I can identify with. It's a fine line between "totally content" and "willingness and desire to effect change" in behalf of those "having to struggle with their lives." Can we be both? What do others think?

I believe we each have our respective individual gifts and with them the responsibility to use them to serve. You do what you do best using those gifts, and I do the same using mine. Service is what we're about, IMHO.

As far as the condition of the world around us, I sometimes question how much has actually changed versus how much our perception based on age and life experience leads us to believe how much has changed. On this too, what do others think?