Is everyone here on the forum under 25?

When I was 19 I knew it all too, friend. But I think back then younger people knew where to draw the line of acting out.

Or maybe that's just the failing memory of a man who just turned 47.

 

While those who are younger (or of younger mindset) can be inexperienced in certain ways, it is evident to one who listens to or works with younger people, that they aren't always wrong; they are very frequently correct.

What is incumbent upon the 'old' folks, is to learn to listen PROPERLY to the gems of wisdom which surely reflect from the minds of the younger thinkers. Again, they (the younger) are not always "wrong", nor are the older folks always correct.

I also say that stagnation and closed mindedness (traditions and stubborn paradigms) affects many more who are older than younger. Here is an example:

Most kids have to be TAUGHT racism, bigotry and fear of others; it isn't something that most learn as reality teaches them. And while many might counter with seeing a 'need' for them to be taught such things, a reasonably open minded thinker likely would/should ask:

Why is that somehow "necessary"?

 

It's actually difficult to tell people's ages on forums like this... MOST liberals tend to sound like they're 15 and MOST conservatives like they're 50.

It's like the saying goes, "A young person who's not a liberal has no heart... an old person who's not a conservative has no brain."

 

I am pretty much in awe of a lot of my friends kids and their friends, most of whom are starting out at university. It could be that I am seeing some of the better kids from that group, but all in all, they seem to be better behaved and better educated (at that age) then those of us born in the late 60s, early 70s.

While I think that we have been better than the boomers that came before us, I think our generation's kids are going to be better.

 

I'm over 25 but i wish i could have a DO-OVER with what i know NOW.

 

I won't say I was brilliant at 15 or even 20, but I was and still to this day are dismissed because of my age(depending on the age of the people). To simply dismiss because of age is quite stupid, and quite frankly arrogant to think someone younger could have a well thought out plan or idea.

Yes there are some who are delusional for most of their lifetime, but the cause is because they think they are right just because of their age. Mature people have a way of absorbing other ideas and thoughts without being angry or disrespectful to someone who is younger. Heck who knows, you might even learn something from someone younger, but to assert simply that age equals wisdom, is far from the wisdom that is needed.

 

They may believe that they know how the world works, but they will learn over time how little they actually know.

That is the biggest lesson people learn as they garner experience. They realize how little they actually know.

 

What you're saying isn't particularly verifiable. Even so, it isn't surprising that many Progressives aren't as lock-step oriented as Conservatives (who tend to value even BAD traditions more readily).

But it makes better sense, to see what of 'value' that ANY person can offer. To relegate the young to being poor or non-contributors (by mere virtue of their "age") is an old mistake, indeed.

 

"Arrogant".... "Bravado".... "Result of coddling".... "Pathetic schools".... "No clue".... "Spoon fed".... "Insipid".... "Reek of ignorance"...

You know how bad it looks to post such an arrogant and conceited post about other people being arrogant and conceited, right?

 

LOL, very true... most of us feel the same way.

 

There are some true chumps around here who sound like they just got out of a Black Eyed Peas concert, when their salad days were actually more in line with The Knack. The ceasing of critical thought happens when the use of the brain runs counter to how things "feel". It's quite bizarre. One of my closest friends is a 63 year old ex hippie, with a heart of gold and a mind of mush. Trying to have a rational discussion becomes impossible because his position always rest on wishes and fantasies. Very strange. But a lovely man, great friend.

 

I was actually going for subtle sarcasm there, hence the smiley.

The idea of writing off someone due merely to age is idiotic.

There are plenty of people here who I think are idiots, not because of their age but because of their arguments or lack thereof.

 

This a perfect example of age not necessarily being a harbinger of wisdom or intelligence.

Cant get past the labels long enough to have ONE independant thought.

 

I know how it looks to one who does not engage in critical thought, but relies on emotionalism. Their shortcomings are not mine to deal with.

 

I'm probably about your age, and it doesn't bother me - and if it starts to, because they get too arrogant and stupid too often, on my i-list they go.

 

Yes, I got that. I was not aware my response would be taken as dismissive or offensive. Perhaps a few more years under your belt would have made my point more clear.

I never write people off due strictly to age. If you read my first post on the subject I say there are a few I have read here whose wisdom and clear thought I find refreshing.

 

A friend of mine told me a story once.

He said that when he was a teenager, he thought his father was the dumbest person in the world. My friend was then sent to Vietnam. He said "You know, in the 2 years I was away from home, my father really learned a lot".

 

It's extremely verifiable. I think we were all shocked to learn one of the most mature lib posters on this forum just turned 15. Nobody would've ever guessed that if he hadn't admitted it.

"Progressives" remind me of the hippies of the 60's... all claiming to be non-conformists while looking and sounding exactly like every other hippie in town.

Lock-step, indeed... Huffpo said it and by gawd, I believe it should be the left's motto.

 

I am a high school/college teacher, and I must say straight out that I Love young adults. They haven't been infected with the cynicism and ennui that has ruined most of us older people, and therefore, have a wonderfully clear way of cutting through all the B.S. and calling us on the lies we tell ourselves.

We older people really need to pay attention to our young people. They are a gift from the universe to keep us from becoming self-involved and bitter. They keep us humble!

On the other hand, however, young people can be a bit pompous when they spout off about things with which they have no experience. Yes, we should listen to their viewpoint because it shows us the Ideal, but They need to listen to older people about the practicality of living.

We older people need to remember that the young adult is the oldest he/she has ever been, and has No Idea that there's anything beyond his/her knowledge, and the younger people need to remember that the older people have lived a good bit longer, and know things that the youngster can't even comprehend.

Kids, that means that you don't even have enough information to know what you don't know.

Congress used to have a good rule: the first term a congressperson did nothing; introduced no legislation, gave no speeches, did nothing but vote. The theory was that she/he needed that 2 years to Learn, and you can't learn while you're mouth's open.

I think that the younger people here - on all boards, really - need to do more reading, and less posting; and ask more questions, rather than pontificating.

 

45 but like to re live youth here.

 

Very well put. One thing I cant stand is a person who is ruled by mob mentality. It shows a lack of intelligence or an intellectual cowardice. I have friend who is 28 years old.. is an absolute wiz with computers and combustion engines. I have no probem deferring to his intellect and experience in these matters.

There are some things that experiece cannot replace.. like technical knowledge.. there some things all the education in the world wont replace. The trick is having the common sense to adjust when presented by those situtations.

 

Okay, you believe it is.

And we cannot verify that either.

"Hippies" weren't all wrong about everything; in fact if more of them had been listened to, we'd likely be better off now.

Now the insults... how old are YOU (really)?

 

Not exactly.

 

If that is the case, then the fault lies with the 40-50 yr old parents who couldn't parent the kids to life's realities.

 

Double that & add a bunch.