SydLexia.com - The Forums :: View topic - Does our generation know how to really grow up?

Posted: Sep 02 2008 11:49 pm

For all the peeps on this forum born between 1980-1985 I ask this question. Do you think our generation knows how to grow up?

I am wondering this as a college student who has a 3.8 GPA but was happier as a slacker who played games all day 3 years ago. While I dont necessarily wanna go back to that period full force its hard for me to enjoy my life like I did say in 2004 and 2005. I mean college has totally changed the way I look at life that its hard to look at games the same way and it kinda pisses me off that I have to think logically all the time. I mean they weren't lying when they said "Ignorance is Bliss".

Anyone ever felt this way?

Joined: Sep 17 2007 Location: The Opium Trail Posts: 3474

It is for this reason I would like to start back at June 2003, and relive/perhaps change the past years of my life.

Posted: Sep 03 2008 01:08 am

I don't think our generation knows how to grow up but for completely different reasons than video games. It's just how we were subjected to countless forms of improved education, advertising, and mind fucks. The generation ahead of us realized: people like mind fucks! So we have twist endings, viral marketing, websites that are subject as to whether they can be trusted or not -- hell, can any one of us trust anything? Instead of fearing the Communists, we received an enemy of: Trust No One. Strangers will rape you and/or give you drugs. Women will give you STDs and AIDs. You're better off staying at home ordering everything off a fucking computer or a television, playing your video games and ignoring the world around you. When you do get a job, bitch about it online or sue someone. But most of all: demand $10 back that you didn't spend to see Batman & Robin in theaters back in 1997 because now it is okay to hate an old guy with an effeminate voice which must mean he's gay and deserves to be called the other F word. That's right, keep playing on the internet with MySpace and integrate "games" onto your Facebook. Start a blog that no one will read unless you post links of illegal comic books, CDs, and porn. In fact, why not just go into porn? Your hero director from 1994 just made a movie about how easy it is to get rich quick with pornography and even brings up why isn't everyone doing it? Pay some girl a couple of hundred dollars per hour to take off her clothes and do whatever. Edit that and put it online selling it at $20 a download and after 10 buyers you got back that hour. With the additional profit, expand expand expand.

I am so lost. What were we talking about? Growing up? Man, I still buy action figures, I damn well don't know how to grow up.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

I think people just don't know how to make themselves happy in new ways anymore. The baby boomers thought they were going to be happy being poor hippies, then being rich yuppies. Now they tell the younger generations that the only way you can be happy is to get in a good college and make lots of money. Now people living off of this borrowed ideology realize they're not happy, but still believe it's the only way they can be happy, so they just keep telling themselves it's the way no matter what.

If you want to enjoy your life, think outside of what you're told you should do.

Posted: Sep 03 2008 03:08 pm

whats the definition of growing up?

Docinsano's Channel 63 · Posted: Sep 03 2008 03:19 pm

I wish Doc Brown and Marty McFly would come to my door and tell me to go Back to the Future and then I'd some how influence my past life unobtrusively to make my future better.

Posted: Sep 03 2008 04:44 pm

I was actually reading some stuff about this guy's book about what he called "Guyland," [Ermac] give it some googling and it should definately provide some answers.

Posted: Sep 03 2008 06:30 pm

I wanted to write a book on this subject at one point.

Posted: Sep 03 2008 07:31 pm

Syd Lexia wrote:

I wanted to write a book on this subject at one point.

I think it would sell a lot because you seem to understand the audience that you write your articles to. A lot of people come to this site because you know how to bridge the gap on alot of things that are relevant to our generation.

I think the whole college thing has sort of doomed our generation in certain aspects. I see so many people with 4 year degrees who just end up working mid managment in retail somewhere because their degree is in such low demand and have no idea what to even do with it. I dont think not going to college is an option either unless your some ubertalent in sales and marketing or you just happen to inherit a company from a family member or something. You have a good chance of getting a good job with a college degree, but the guarantee that use to be on one isnt there because of the influx of people who are getting one.

College has turned from an institution of learning to a big money making buisness. The people who go to college straight out of High School is at an all time high. Both those facts corelate because it just means were are mere numbers in a numbers cruntching game with us taking out huge student loans on the hope that we might be able to be successful one day.Colleges get richer and are allowed to teach subjects that have no merrits in high numbers(Communications,Art,Music,etc.) unless you wanna pony up another 100,000 to get your Doctorate

Posted: Sep 03 2008 08:37 pm

I feel the same way as you in some respects. I'm only 16, but people say I'm am "wise" beyond my years, I think it's because I think logically and thinking logically sucks.

Also, don't read up on or take any psychology courses, once you get used to the information you will start analyzing everything anyone says and does and it makes things suck, someone says something you automatically analyze it even though it's likely incredibly unimportant and irrelevent, wasting alot of brain power.

So I'm not in your generation per se, but I understand the feeling.

Posted: Sep 04 2008 02:19 pm

I've noticed that a lot of people from my age group have absolutely no concept of work ethic.

Posted: Sep 04 2008 02:32 pm

Blackout wrote:

I've noticed that a lot of people from my age group have absolutely no concept of work ethic.

I agree to an extent. I also think that a lot of the oldschool definitions of work ethic are outdated and not applicable to modern jobs. For instance: my jobs through highschool in college all had older managers with the motto, even if everything is finished do something, be busy at all times even if it's frivolous bullshit work. With my job now, I have a younger boss, and his motto is more like: I don't give a fuck what you do, as long as your work is done before the deadline. I think that this attitude will eventually become the norm, and maybe it's poor work ethic on my part, but i much prefer the policy that you can do what you want as long as the job gets done. It makes your job much more enjoyable, and considering you spend 40hrs a week at work, it makes for a better quality of life. The old philosophy promotes sandbagging anyways. It's like why should i finish my tasks early, when my reward for being efficient is the honor of scraping gum off the floor etc.

Posted: Sep 04 2008 02:41 pm

Burt Reynolds wrote:

Blackout wrote:

I've noticed that a lot of people from my age group have absolutely no concept of work ethic.

I agree to an extent. I also think that a lot of the oldschool definitions of work ethic are outdated and not applicable to modern jobs. For instance: my jobs through highschool in college all had older managers with the motto, even if everything is finished do something, be busy at all times even if it's frivolous bullshit work. With my job now, I have a younger boss, and his motto is more like: I don't give a fuck what you do, as long as your work is done before the deadline. I think that this attitude will eventually become the norm, and maybe it's poor work ethic on my part, but i much prefer the policy that you can do what you want as long as the job gets done. It makes your job much more enjoyable, and considering you spend 40hrs a week at work, it makes for a better quality of life. The old philosophy promotes sandbagging anyways. It's like why should i finish my tasks early, when my reward for being efficient is the honor of scraping gum off the floor etc.

I agree with that, when I'm the supervisor I have the same attitude, as long as the work gets done I don't care what you're doing. The people I have a problem with are the ones that are habitually 2 to 3 hours late every damn day which throws everyone else of balance whenk it comes down to workflow and breaks and lunchs etc, and then get all upset that they got in trouble for it, OH THAT'S NOT FAIR YOU BIG MEANINE!!! *start crying like a freaking 5 year old* Rolling Eyes

And the lame douchbags that say can you keep me under 40 hours a week? Cause I want to stay on welfare as long as I can an shit. Eh you wanna buy my 100$ food stamp card for fifty bucks? Mad

Posted: Sep 04 2008 02:52 pm

Yeah, that is very true. I understand if you don't give a shit about the company you work for, but when you show up late, call in, etc, you fuck up all your co-workers shit. I know when i worked in retail, we were usually understaffed, so somebody coming in late or calling in would destroy us. I definitely in the mindset that you should do a good job at your work, regardless of what it is. It helps everyone out, and i agree that a lot of people our generation and younger don't grasp this concept.

Posted: Sep 04 2008 03:04 pm

Burt Reynolds wrote:

Yeah, that is very true. I understand if you don't give a shit about the company you work for, but when you show up late, call in, etc, you fuck up all your co-workers shit. I know when i worked in retail, we were usually understaffed, so somebody coming in late or calling in would destroy us. I definitely in the mindset that you should do a good job at your work, regardless of what it is. It helps everyone out, and i agree that a lot of people our generation and younger don't grasp this concept.

I think it's the changes they started making in schools that caused it, the whole check minus check check plus instead of F stands for FAILURE you dummy, study more.
They started that crap when I was in 6th grade, because F was seen as to negative the failing grade was categorized as an E. WTF kinda stupid crap is that? Rolling Eyes

No one is allowed to fail or win, everything is fair for everyone, and they turn these kids loose at 18 and they show up to their first job thinking that it's gonna be a cakewalk and that everything will be handed to them. They start complaining about the dumbest things. OH SNAP YO! I spent all my check on this cool new phone and 8 zillion super kewl ringtones and ring back tones, I can't pay my rent. Crying

My landlord is such an asshole! I told him I have the rent next month, and the bastard evicted me! That aint right you can't treat people like that! It's discrimination! Mad

Or they get a speeding ticket and go to court to fight it even though they admit they we're going 78 in a school zone. What kind of scruples is that? If you know you were in the wrong, why fight it? How are the police unfair and the judge an old jerk? You freaking admitted to me that you broke the law! WHAT!?

Oh that's right I forgot, you clearly stated at the end of your bitch session that MAN THAT'S SO NOT FAIR!!! Bleating and Babbling

Who has been telling these retards that everything is fair? Confused

Posted: Sep 04 2008 03:54 pm

check minus?! i remember that in elementary/grade school, but starting in middle/junior high school, it was the A-F scale.

the lack of discipline comes from parenting, imo. parents are too big pussies nowadays to 'man up' and discipline their kids. im not talking about giving them a beating, but a spanking or something similar where the parents lay down the law can work wonders. like a friend says, 'i put the fear of god in my child.' its funny but mean, but i understand wtf he's talking about.

i have two little nephews who were more or less raised by their young mom and their grandparents. so they are some spoiled little fucktwats. and they 'rack a disciprine' like crazy. and they cry about everything when they need to do their chores.

Posted: Sep 04 2008 06:38 pm

My Mom told me point blank when I complained about having to do the dishes, we don't need to buy a dishwasher, that's what we had you for! Laughing

Posted: Sep 04 2008 10:35 pm

username wrote:

check minus?! i remember that in elementary/grade school, but starting in middle/junior high school, it was the A-F scale.

the lack of discipline comes from parenting, imo. parents are too big pussies nowadays to 'man up' and discipline their kids. im not talking about giving them a beating, but a spanking or something similar where the parents lay down the law can work wonders. like a friend says, 'i put the fear of god in my child.' its funny but mean, but i understand wtf he's talking about.

i have two little nephews who were more or less raised by their young mom and their grandparents. so they are some spoiled little fucktwats. and they 'rack a disciprine' like crazy. and they cry about everything when they need to do their chores.

I'm rather disdainful of spanking and other violent diciplining. One, there is a weird crossover with sexual disciplining there and think some of it is due to a confusing of love and violence. Two, if you yell at a dog when you train them they will learn to only respond to yelling. Your escalating the discipline beyond what is needed.

I have a niece and a nephew who are very well behaved despite less than steller parents. Its a matter of setting rules, not giving in to whining and tantrums, and being consistent and fair. A stern voice and standing your ground does wonders.

Posted: Sep 05 2008 01:55 am

RobotGumshoe wrote:

username wrote:

check minus?! i remember that in elementary/grade school, but starting in middle/junior high school, it was the A-F scale.

the lack of discipline comes from parenting, imo. parents are too big pussies nowadays to 'man up' and discipline their kids. im not talking about giving them a beating, but a spanking or something similar where the parents lay down the law can work wonders. like a friend says, 'i put the fear of god in my child.' its funny but mean, but i understand wtf he's talking about.

i have two little nephews who were more or less raised by their young mom and their grandparents. so they are some spoiled little fucktwats. and they 'rack a disciprine' like crazy. and they cry about everything when they need to do their chores.

I'm rather disdainful of spanking and other violent diciplining. One, there is a weird crossover with sexual disciplining there and think some of it is due to a confusing of love and violence. Two, if you yell at a dog when you train them they will learn to only respond to yelling. Your escalating the discipline beyond what is needed.

I have a niece and a nephew who are very well behaved despite less than steller parents. Its a matter of setting rules, not giving in to whining and tantrums, and being consistent and fair. A stern voice and standing your ground does wonders.

u have good points. and im not saying spanking is the only rule, but its not a bad rule. im not saying its a great rule, buty it can happen.

Posted: Sep 05 2008 08:11 am

Blackout wrote:

And the lame douchbags that say can you keep me under 40 hours a week? Cause I want to stay on welfare as long as I can an shit. Eh you wanna buy my 100$ food stamp card for fifty bucks? Mad

Do you keep them under 40 hours so they can stay on welfare? If so that's pretty terrible of you. Your answer should be "This is a full time position so you either work 40 hours or you go fuck yourself".

Joined: Jun 10 2008 Posts: 172

You know, I think theres this old idea of being a "MAN" that just doesn't appeal to me or a lot of people in this generation. I realize that the generations before us (my parents and grandparents) did lots of things wrong and I am working on not repeating some of those mistakes and if that includes not what some might consider "growing up" then yea, thats how it is. Maybe this is just a me thing and comes from the things that happened in my childhood but quite frankly being the "MAN" (or "WOMAN" for those of that pursuation) just doesn't seem to be that appealing to me. Feels like societies hamsterwheel is you ask me.

Joined: Jul 16 2006 Location: 22 Acacia Avenue Posts: 324

It seems to me that we are the first generation who's later years are going to be harder than our early years.

My parents and grandparents had things really rough in their youth, but the older they got, the more they accumulated wealth and things got easier. You know how they say......6 kids sharing a bedroom and all that stuff they like to rant about.

By contrast, I had a (relatively) easy childhood. My dad worked while my mom stayed home and raised us. But with the rising cost of everything, absense of social security and longer work hours becoming the norm, I think my adulthood and old age are going to suck. I don't see myself making enough money to support a wife and kids without my wife having a job of her own. I may not ever retire. I see myself working until I am physically unable to hold a job anymore, then hopefully some younger relatives will take me in.

In addition to all this, we live in an age where both cost of living and consumerism are at an all time high. I know lots of idiots who make $9 per hour who have $600 I-Phones, and spend $3000 putting subwoofers in their cars. All this makes for a pretty dim picture in the coming years.

Posted: Sep 05 2008 02:08 pm

Dr. Jeebus wrote:

Blackout wrote:

And the lame douchbags that say can you keep me under 40 hours a week? Cause I want to stay on welfare as long as I can an shit. Eh you wanna buy my 100$ food stamp card for fifty bucks? Mad

Do you keep them under 40 hours so they can stay on welfare? If so that's pretty terrible of you. Your answer should be "This is a full time position so you either work 40 hours or you go fuck yourself".

It's not my call but yes we usually tell them to get on board or to piss off. Smile

Avian wrote:

It seems to me that we are the first generation who's later years are going to be harder than our early years.

My parents and grandparents had things really rough in their youth, but the older they got, the more they accumulated wealth and things got easier. You know how they say......6 kids sharing a bedroom and all that stuff they like to rant about.

By contrast, I had a (relatively) easy childhood. My dad worked while my mom stayed home and raised us. But with the rising cost of everything, absense of social security and longer work hours becoming the norm, I think my adulthood and old age are going to suck. I don't see myself making enough money to support a wife and kids without my wife having a job of her own. I may not ever retire. I see myself working until I am physically unable to hold a job anymore, then hopefully some younger relatives will take me in.

In addition to all this, we live in an age where both cost of living and consumerism are at an all time high. I know lots of idiots who make $9 per hour who have $600 I-Phones, and spend $3000 putting subwoofers in their cars. All this makes for a pretty dim picture in the coming years.

Agreed, the future has a high probability of sucking. Sad

Posted: Sep 05 2008 03:47 pm

Avian: I think that things are better for our parents and our childhoods were relatively easy because the bar for standard of living has just generally progressed. People don't have to work as many hours as they do @ 9.00 bucks an hour, they choose to. So many things people have are considered necessities when in fact they are luxuries. I don't think it's going to be any tougher for us when we are old. If you take a look, most elderly people that have amassed a decent amount of wealth did no rely completely on social security. As long as you don't count on that as your only means for income when you retire, you will probably be ok.

Posted: Sep 05 2008 08:24 pm

When I was in elementary school it was A-F, and that continued all the way to the present. That's how it always should be. And as for growing up, my parents were strict. Spanking was basically the A-bomb of punishment, though, and I only got hit a few times in my childhood. I do support the approach, though.