Schools too. The very people who instill language in the young always have targets, are shooting for something, are dying to get stuff done, need to whip things out. I brought it up one day in staff meeting and there was a pause while they all looked at me with those dull little teacher stares, then went on with the more important business of “corralling the problem”. Yoikes!
There may be an even bigger issue here. Earlier today, I spoke with a representative of my internet provider. We handled the business and spoke awhile at other things. I'm considerably older than he is (he's only 60), but has a 13 year-old daughter. He bemoaned the fact that, among the young, minimal, true communication is rare, for her nose is stuck to her phone, or she's watching TikTok,and texting, not speaking, with others. This consumes so much of her time, but 5 minutes later she doesn't recall what she has just seen or heard, She and her friends are nearly always in the moment, a moment devoid of meaningful context.
These are the youths we are 'fighting' for, to ensure them of a meaningful future, or maybe any future at all. Yet, how do we enlist them in this worthy effort, when they can't even pay attention to what's happening in the world and have no understandng of what would be the result of a nuclear calamity? To reclaim an expression used in actual war, when the bombs come, 'they won't even know what hit them.'
Yes, we have anti-war and anti-climate change and anti capitalism youths, but they are relatively few and far between. And the challenge they face is how to get the majority of their generation to get off their phones and off of Tik Tok, and how to begin to use their brains for good.
We of the Vietnam War era understand the risks and consequences of all war and of a nuclear armageddon. For most of today's youth, war is something that's happening in the Ukraine, but they don't know any more. The only context some may have, is essentially. 'Ukraine good, Russia bad and it's over there, not here.'
I think this might be a case of physician heal thyself. Why do you think your children ignore you or hide in their phones from you. Maybe ‘cause you’re not anyone they want to emulate? I’m 78 and have lots of friends who are in their late 20’s early 30’s. I don’t know why they like me but they do, and the THINGS they tell me about their parents—-Omygod! The yuppie era is almost over (the oldest yuppie is 62, the youngest, a dissatisfied 47.). Step aside, take your own inventory and support them as they lead us through the mess you created.
I was not talking of my own; my son will be 50 this year and most of my grandchildren are in or graduating college or high school this year. Even when schedules are too tight for getting together, or distances too great, we speak on a regular basis. Even my grandchildren who are from my son's second wife are always saying how much they love me (and I'm not bribing them).
I was relating a concern from someone who still has barely a teenager living at home, who told me what he sees and hears of her and her same-age friends.
My reply was already long so didn't want to include further, similar comments that I'm hearing every day. I will add that, in the past, it was usually responsible parents that opened the eyes of their children. Today, too many adults are working multiple jobs and have other interests of their own, so that many of them have abdicated that responsibility.
Most of my friends have always been - and still are - much younger than I am - and I'm even older than you. Many are dedicated to creating the mind set that the gentleman complained was nearly nonexistent. But others haven't the time, nor money, to spend. When fresh fruits and vegetables are either nonexistent or unaffordable and eggs are $5.00, or more, per dozen and the income from a second job is all but offset by the cost required for the fuel to get to that job. I can understand the dilemma posed to even those with the best of intentions.
I never said that it applied to all youths, but what we tend to overlook is that, under Obama, when 3.5 million activists filled the legislative and executive streets in Washington, D.C. demonstrating to save net neutrality and other matters of great importance that should be of value to nearly the entire population, that number was still only 1% of the country's population. In this country, it is supposed to be that the majority rules. So, for several decades now, the responses out of Washington have largely been to promise, then not to deliver, blaming it on the other party's failure to cooperate. In addition to a well-drafted propaganda campaign from the miltary and the politicians, too many unquestioningly believe what they are told, like members in a vast, nationwide, cult. How can we expect them to pass on the truth, when they, the parents, don't actually know it themselves, or are simply disinterested in it? For the most part, we have a Freddy Prinze society that says, "It's not my job, man." The sad part is that they don't realize that, yes, it is their job, and they're needed badly. Parenting is the most important job of all those that require neither training nor a license. Their children need them as does the rest of society. A government that does not want us to know the truth, laughs at 3.5 million (and tries to eliminate or isolate as many as possible), because its own propagandized army is actually more like 300 million strong. What we need, then, is for 3.5 million activists to grow to 200 million or more., so that we take back the power.
When your country's leaders prove, to those paying attention, that it cares more for some 60 -70 billionaire sociopaths than it does about the welfare of its citizens, a problem exists. Activists can fight, but can't do it alone, for the powers of government are too vast no matter which party is running it. The vast majority need to become the activists.
Though he's gone, I remain a George Carlin fan as I have been for decades. I may paraphrase him slightly, but I never will forget what he told us decades ago, that, "You are sadly mistaken, if you think that the politicians in Washington, D.C. are there to represent you. Regardless of political party, they are all members in the same Big Club - and you and I are not in the big club. They don't care about you at all, at all, at all."
PS I didn't create the mess. I've been in the trenches of activism for years and have marched in every demonstration in which my health would let me participate, up to and including the BLM demonstrations. My son will be 50 years old shortly and throughout his life I spoken to him about the things that I consider to be important I never try to persuade or force him to my beliefs, merely to lay them out for examination and, in the end, he has chosen most for himself. Between his children and those brought to the second marriage (for both) from his wife, every one of my grandchildren loves me. Everyone is either in or graduating college or highschool this year and when the miles are too great to get together with them, we regulary speak on the phone.
I am exactly not the sort that I was identifying. everything I do is geared to contributing to the effort to make sure that they have a future to enjoy. So, please do not point your finger at me - I have all but run through walls for their benefit and that of the population at large as well. In fact, though the percentage of successses is small, any effort to 'convert' people to a sense of responsibility is worth the effort taken. I've even recruit a few true activists from people standing in front or behind me in supermarket checkout lines. And, I know for a fact, that some I've spoken with are out there doiint the grunt work these days.
I really don’t have time to read about you. Nor interest. I come here for Caitlin’s wisdom, not your autobiography. Besides, I already know what you think. Narsi much?
The difference is that i came to add to the conversation and expand it. I raised a legitimate issue by essentially asking where will the next wave of anti-war activists come from and how can we inrease the numbers? You seem only interested in insulting me Your initial reply provoked what you call my biography. So, we have a joint desire. I'll not bother you any longer.
Schools too. The very people who instill language in the young always have targets, are shooting for something, are dying to get stuff done, need to whip things out. I brought it up one day in staff meeting and there was a pause while they all looked at me with those dull little teacher stares, then went on with the more important business of “corralling the problem”. Yoikes!
There may be an even bigger issue here. Earlier today, I spoke with a representative of my internet provider. We handled the business and spoke awhile at other things. I'm considerably older than he is (he's only 60), but has a 13 year-old daughter. He bemoaned the fact that, among the young, minimal, true communication is rare, for her nose is stuck to her phone, or she's watching TikTok,and texting, not speaking, with others. This consumes so much of her time, but 5 minutes later she doesn't recall what she has just seen or heard, She and her friends are nearly always in the moment, a moment devoid of meaningful context.
These are the youths we are 'fighting' for, to ensure them of a meaningful future, or maybe any future at all. Yet, how do we enlist them in this worthy effort, when they can't even pay attention to what's happening in the world and have no understandng of what would be the result of a nuclear calamity? To reclaim an expression used in actual war, when the bombs come, 'they won't even know what hit them.'
Yes, we have anti-war and anti-climate change and anti capitalism youths, but they are relatively few and far between. And the challenge they face is how to get the majority of their generation to get off their phones and off of Tik Tok, and how to begin to use their brains for good.
We of the Vietnam War era understand the risks and consequences of all war and of a nuclear armageddon. For most of today's youth, war is something that's happening in the Ukraine, but they don't know any more. The only context some may have, is essentially. 'Ukraine good, Russia bad and it's over there, not here.'
I think this might be a case of physician heal thyself. Why do you think your children ignore you or hide in their phones from you. Maybe ‘cause you’re not anyone they want to emulate? I’m 78 and have lots of friends who are in their late 20’s early 30’s. I don’t know why they like me but they do, and the THINGS they tell me about their parents—-Omygod! The yuppie era is almost over (the oldest yuppie is 62, the youngest, a dissatisfied 47.). Step aside, take your own inventory and support them as they lead us through the mess you created.
I was not talking of my own; my son will be 50 this year and most of my grandchildren are in or graduating college or high school this year. Even when schedules are too tight for getting together, or distances too great, we speak on a regular basis. Even my grandchildren who are from my son's second wife are always saying how much they love me (and I'm not bribing them).
I was relating a concern from someone who still has barely a teenager living at home, who told me what he sees and hears of her and her same-age friends.
My reply was already long so didn't want to include further, similar comments that I'm hearing every day. I will add that, in the past, it was usually responsible parents that opened the eyes of their children. Today, too many adults are working multiple jobs and have other interests of their own, so that many of them have abdicated that responsibility.
Most of my friends have always been - and still are - much younger than I am - and I'm even older than you. Many are dedicated to creating the mind set that the gentleman complained was nearly nonexistent. But others haven't the time, nor money, to spend. When fresh fruits and vegetables are either nonexistent or unaffordable and eggs are $5.00, or more, per dozen and the income from a second job is all but offset by the cost required for the fuel to get to that job. I can understand the dilemma posed to even those with the best of intentions.
I never said that it applied to all youths, but what we tend to overlook is that, under Obama, when 3.5 million activists filled the legislative and executive streets in Washington, D.C. demonstrating to save net neutrality and other matters of great importance that should be of value to nearly the entire population, that number was still only 1% of the country's population. In this country, it is supposed to be that the majority rules. So, for several decades now, the responses out of Washington have largely been to promise, then not to deliver, blaming it on the other party's failure to cooperate. In addition to a well-drafted propaganda campaign from the miltary and the politicians, too many unquestioningly believe what they are told, like members in a vast, nationwide, cult. How can we expect them to pass on the truth, when they, the parents, don't actually know it themselves, or are simply disinterested in it? For the most part, we have a Freddy Prinze society that says, "It's not my job, man." The sad part is that they don't realize that, yes, it is their job, and they're needed badly. Parenting is the most important job of all those that require neither training nor a license. Their children need them as does the rest of society. A government that does not want us to know the truth, laughs at 3.5 million (and tries to eliminate or isolate as many as possible), because its own propagandized army is actually more like 300 million strong. What we need, then, is for 3.5 million activists to grow to 200 million or more., so that we take back the power.
When your country's leaders prove, to those paying attention, that it cares more for some 60 -70 billionaire sociopaths than it does about the welfare of its citizens, a problem exists. Activists can fight, but can't do it alone, for the powers of government are too vast no matter which party is running it. The vast majority need to become the activists.
Though he's gone, I remain a George Carlin fan as I have been for decades. I may paraphrase him slightly, but I never will forget what he told us decades ago, that, "You are sadly mistaken, if you think that the politicians in Washington, D.C. are there to represent you. Regardless of political party, they are all members in the same Big Club - and you and I are not in the big club. They don't care about you at all, at all, at all."
PS I didn't create the mess. I've been in the trenches of activism for years and have marched in every demonstration in which my health would let me participate, up to and including the BLM demonstrations. My son will be 50 years old shortly and throughout his life I spoken to him about the things that I consider to be important I never try to persuade or force him to my beliefs, merely to lay them out for examination and, in the end, he has chosen most for himself. Between his children and those brought to the second marriage (for both) from his wife, every one of my grandchildren loves me. Everyone is either in or graduating college or highschool this year and when the miles are too great to get together with them, we regulary speak on the phone.
I am exactly not the sort that I was identifying. everything I do is geared to contributing to the effort to make sure that they have a future to enjoy. So, please do not point your finger at me - I have all but run through walls for their benefit and that of the population at large as well. In fact, though the percentage of successses is small, any effort to 'convert' people to a sense of responsibility is worth the effort taken. I've even recruit a few true activists from people standing in front or behind me in supermarket checkout lines. And, I know for a fact, that some I've spoken with are out there doiint the grunt work these days.
I really don’t have time to read about you. Nor interest. I come here for Caitlin’s wisdom, not your autobiography. Besides, I already know what you think. Narsi much?
The difference is that i came to add to the conversation and expand it. I raised a legitimate issue by essentially asking where will the next wave of anti-war activists come from and how can we inrease the numbers? You seem only interested in insulting me Your initial reply provoked what you call my biography. So, we have a joint desire. I'll not bother you any longer.