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Re: Sweet and Nice -- and Very Dictatorial.
Toby Reiter wrote:
>
....
>
> Before the turn of the century, the elderly were often perceived as the
> wise and seasoned members of society. However, at some point in this
> century, we have ceased to respect and utilize the knowledge base which
> the elderly possess. I do not believe elderly choose to live a life of
> golf and shuffleboard, but that they are socially forced into this
> position. The primary reason for this is the severing of the sacred bonds
> which existed between generations for the passing down of knowledge from
> the old to the young. If senior citizens in this country once again
> resumed their rightful positions as sages, instead of being simply
> classified as dottering old geezers, than this country would profit
> tremendously.
>
> Just because I recognize that the elderly in this country are not being
> used to their best potential doesn't mean I feel them as worthless. I
> just feel that a consumption-based society, in which little effort is
> given towards social and moral improvement, and almost all resources are
> dedicated to economic improvement, automatically, out of the need for
> consumer segregation, separates different generations.
I note:
I'd like to propose that what you observe is a social phenomenon
deriving from the 'baby boom' generation. This group has also been
called the 'me' generation - when they were young, media attention and
industry was focused on them because of their numbers, and the buying
power inhereted from and paid for by their parents. This aging group is
now running the country and many of its industries, and seems unable to
escape its 'I'm the only one whose important - everything should be done
for me' attitude, and so we're left with a rapidly disintegrating
economy, weak government, and practical abandonment of social ethic and
responsibility. Exceptional egos and large financial rewards allocated
to themselves by themselves, coupled with alarming inadequacy.
References: