I will always lament the lack of nuance in today's world. I'm glad places like this are here where we can actually speak our piece with one another and peel back the layers a bit, but I also feel like we are up against an inevitable tide of dumbification. Everything shorter sells more ads.
As an "elder", I am quite dismayed by young Americans, and also very fearful for their future. For all the excesses of the 60's, it was a hopeful, and idealistic time, from which many social, cultural, artistic and technological advances came, which are very much taken for granted now. I personally find young people inhibited by a huge sense of entitlement, and victimhood, that does not serve them well in navigating adulthood and the future that looms precariously before them. Recently I read a book that is worth looking at on this subject: THE DUMBEST GENERATION: How the Digiatl Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future by Mark Bauerlein. He believes that social media in particular keeps youth, and American culture, adolescent.
The truth, (according to Mojo Mark), is that one should lead a life based on their own particular values, potential and talents regardless of what society tells you. At least that is what I wished I could have done. I would probably had much happier life.
I was from the generation that said you had to have a higher education or you’re a looser. That was made even clearer by the fact the rest of my immediate family had degrees. It was in my DNA despite my learning deficiencies and low self-esteem. Consequently, it was extremely hard finally getting a degree in my 30s. It wasn’t for lack of trying or persistence. My learning deficiencies had nothing to do with low intelligence, just the filters to the brain. So, what I became was a semiliterate intellectual, which some “friends” tagged as a pseudo-intellectual. Just another outside tag I had to deal with. The fact was most of the people who called me that weren’t particularly interested in ideas. They just could read faster than I did.
I guess my point was I suffered a lot buying into society’s expectations and labels and judgements. And I wished I had the confidence to believe in my own unique way of doing things. If I were more accepting of my limitations and had identified my strengths sooner, it would have been an easier ride.
I will always lament the lack of nuance in today's world. I'm glad places like this are here where we can actually speak our piece with one another and peel back the layers a bit, but I also feel like we are up against an inevitable tide of dumbification. Everything shorter sells more ads.
As an "elder", I am quite dismayed by young Americans, and also very fearful for their future. For all the excesses of the 60's, it was a hopeful, and idealistic time, from which many social, cultural, artistic and technological advances came, which are very much taken for granted now. I personally find young people inhibited by a huge sense of entitlement, and victimhood, that does not serve them well in navigating adulthood and the future that looms precariously before them. Recently I read a book that is worth looking at on this subject: THE DUMBEST GENERATION: How the Digiatl Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future by Mark Bauerlein. He believes that social media in particular keeps youth, and American culture, adolescent.
The truth, (according to Mojo Mark), is that one should lead a life based on their own particular values, potential and talents regardless of what society tells you. At least that is what I wished I could have done. I would probably had much happier life.
I was from the generation that said you had to have a higher education or you’re a looser. That was made even clearer by the fact the rest of my immediate family had degrees. It was in my DNA despite my learning deficiencies and low self-esteem. Consequently, it was extremely hard finally getting a degree in my 30s. It wasn’t for lack of trying or persistence. My learning deficiencies had nothing to do with low intelligence, just the filters to the brain. So, what I became was a semiliterate intellectual, which some “friends” tagged as a pseudo-intellectual. Just another outside tag I had to deal with. The fact was most of the people who called me that weren’t particularly interested in ideas. They just could read faster than I did.
I guess my point was I suffered a lot buying into society’s expectations and labels and judgements. And I wished I had the confidence to believe in my own unique way of doing things. If I were more accepting of my limitations and had identified my strengths sooner, it would have been an easier ride.
Just my take.