Are the majority of Americans stuck in adolescence...?

One weird thing I been noticing lately, people seem to talk like broken records. Like stringing together popular sayings, cliche's and stereotypes together to form conversations out of. If that makes sense, but it's kinda creepy.

I'd tend to socialize with more people, but most people are complete idiots. I'm happy with me and my small circle.

originally posted by: onequestion
Does it seem like the majority of Americans are trapped in a state of adolescence?

I have noticed this in my self and others my age but I think it has to do with how people of the same age relate to each other. Of course me being an adolescent in the Seventies may have something to do with it also. Some will understand what I mean and some will not. Anyway, to answer your question, yes.

originally posted by: TKDRL
One weird thing I been noticing lately, people seem to talk like broken records. Like stringing together popular sayings, cliche's and stereotypes together to form conversations out of. If that makes sense, but it's kinda creepy.

wait till this becomes the new music..then i will be really worried

Nothing new, but not to say it's not more common as it seems and becoming more of an issue,
The past: Those burned at the stake for being witches.
To current: Middle school attitudes(of gossip, name calling, etc.) do not go away, they may lie dormant, but they remain in some.

Now days we see/hear it more because of social media and media in general. Current articles proclaim that America is in fact more 'dumbed-down'* than ever before, due to social media and net "education"-Wikipedia, etc. On the other hand it seems there's more questioning official statements of how the world is to more Americans than ever forgoing the two party system. The positive spread of information comes with these negatives.

*Sourcing- "Dumbing down of America" titles various articles/books, "US adults are dumber than the average human"-NYPost, "For the first time in history we have a generation of Americans who are “dumber” than their parents."

a reply to: onequestion

People have always made small-talk, I think it gets worse as you get older, not better. The same thing with the judging without getting to know someone trait, these are adult traits unfortunately.

However, I think that it seems like adolescence is spreading into the late 20's for different reasons like people taking longer to get married, not getting into a serious job right away, not purchasing property, living with their parents longer, etc. A lot of that is the economy, but also I think it is a result of an increased life span and work life.

I don't know about any majority... I only know the 23 YO grandson who thinks he can live free in the grandparents household forever...is in need of a wake-up call

he might put in 10 casual work hours a week...enough to buy his pot I guess...he dropped out of school in 10th grade some 8 useless years ago... and puts in his 40 hours on the Game Boy instead of a future career, worse yet
Michael brings around his fellow useless eaters to sponge off the fixed income grandparents, hops in the car like he owns it, and just struts like he is a Trust Fund baby....

he's only a thug culture personality & will get his reward in either the hospital or jail
POS is my assessment of the man-child who is 23 but behaves like a 12 YO

just a glimpse into our hell hole

originally posted by: onequestion
a reply to: LukeDAP

I'm not anti social but I am more of an observer. I like having only meaningful conversations and relationships and am comfortable with not talking to anyone.

So my observation is based on exactly that.

Then aren't you just as guilty of being all judgey, like the adolescent behaving adults you complain about in your OP??? In my experience, it takes time to get someone to open up and discuss the deeper subjects, if you will.

a reply to: NarcolepticBuddha

LOL

When we are young we always dream of being older
and
When we are older we always dream of going back and being younger

leolady

Personally, I've had conversations with some individuals that I barely know and they are sometimes too quick to jump into deeper conversation or conspiracy theories. What this does is makes me end the conversation and makes me feel the other person is a bit strange.

Yes I like to talk about things anonymously on sites like ATS, or sometimes with people in face to face conversation, but I have to know them deeply to talk with them on deeper matters because then the trust is there and you know that you can speak about things without being labelled or looking like a nut job.

People that I meet for the first time and 2 minutes into the conversation start talking about aliens, scares me. It makes me question their mental stability, and their maturity. So that might be something to think about when initiating a conversation.

a reply to: ItzShadyT

I couldn't agree with you more! Small circle of friends is the way to go. Of course there will always be those people who just think they're above everyone else, but it's crazy how some of those same people are just posers.

a reply to: onequestion

originally posted by: onequestion
Does it seem like the majority of Americans are trapped in a state of adolescence?

Im always observing people having childish interactions and making small talk on a fairly regular basis. It seems as if most are ill equipped for deeper then topical conversations. Most judge harshly without getting to know someone. Many very superficial, only seeing what someone makes or wears, or judging them on only their ability to socialize but not getting deeper into their character. Most only want to see what people appear to be like and not try to get into the how what and the whys.

Is this normal?
Has it always been like this?
Is this mass hypnosis and mind control or are just people really stupid?
What about people from other countries?

I don't think it was always like this and I do think you are right. People use teenage language for a lifetime, tattoos and never stop dressing like their children but these are the appearances the real important stuff is the change in depth that I see.

People do not want to know anything deeper about a person they meet and they do not like you to ask deep questions about themselves, the rule is keep everything light and superficial or they will walk away.

Personally I have come to believe that yes there is a mass mind control in play, it is not an accident that commercials for adult products from insurance, mortgages loans and credit cards to clothing are sold by showing silly childish cartoons or even children who are telling us adults what we need to buy.

People want their children to be adults almost from the moment of birth, they use adult clothing and want the kids to speak and act like an adult. They have no desire to protect the child and let them have a time of innocent happiness. They constantly say how the freedom to know all is so important and never realize the loss of the freedom to not know, that once existed in childhood.

I think on every level of society people are being steered to be less, to think less to be superficial and want only the superficial. In a sense this is leading to stupidity as there is no desire to move forward but to remain like a teen forever. There also is no respect for elders many times because elders are only looking for a chance to use their viagra, wear mini skirts and spike heels and cover themselves in tattoos.

I miss speaking to grownup people who don't use the term "hot" for everything who can speak without using vulgar language in a simple conversation who think deeper then what brand are my jeans.

a reply to: DAZ21

Personally, I've had conversations with some individuals that I barely know and they are sometimes too quick to jump into deeper conversation or conspiracy theories.

People that I meet for the first time and 2 minutes into the conversation start talking about aliens, scares me.

Send them to me I would love talking to them. I have never met anyone who talks about conspiracy theories! But I think the OP was think a little deeper conversation then that!:-)

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Maturity is being delayed....or flat out put on hold.

Yes, maturity but not sexuality, real language ability is held back but adult words and behaviors are expected.
it actually must be a very confusing world for todays kids...who is the adult where can they turn if they need to really talk to someone mature.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe
Not only that, some of us still live with our parents because they cannot afford to live in their houses anymore without our financial help. Also I am handy to have around when the hard stuff needs to be done, like splitting wood and tilling for planting .

If I wasn't living here, they would have to rent out a room to at least one stranger, who wants to do that these days?

a reply to: Char-Lee

Really? What goes deeper than conspiracy theories?

Now you're making me wonder...

originally posted by: DAZ21
a reply to: Char-Lee

Really? What goes deeper than conspiracy theories?

Now you're making me wonder...

Lol What who killed JFK...don't get heavy with me right off the bat!;-0

Take a look over on YouTube, it's full of grown men in their 20's 30's even 40's collecting and playing with childrens action figures and other toys, even displaying them proudly on shelfs, with cartoon posters on the walls and a single bed in the corner.

Crazy stuff.

I don't wan't to judge, but many of these men appear to still live with their parents.

a reply to: onequestion

I believe that people are overall less intelligent, and less engaged, and more selfish. Today's generation cares only for themselves and instant gratification. They read less, study less, and listen less. Nobody listens to older people to gain wisdom.

It is just my opinion, not a blast to young'uns on ATS. My own children can't be pulled away from League of Legends, or the Kardashians.

Today's society has just changed. And I am sure our parents and grandparents said the same of us....