Our Lost Generation

I found this video on youtube which seems of very important relevance. I don't normally post youtube videos here nor do I watch them, but this one is quick, I promise. It also has a very good point and is clever. It is a poem called "Lost Generation" by Jonathan Reed. Perhaps it is not of significance to many of you here on ATS, but for me, as I am part of today's "generation", teenagers and culture is a topic that is dear to my heart. Here is the video:


I believe it is very important what we teach our children, and the sort of culture that they grow up in. Teenagers are easily influenced, and the choices they make in their teens can affect the rest of their lives. I don't think we pay enough attention to today's teenage culture and merely regard them as people that will eventually grow up. I don't believe this is a valid argument. While others may be proponents of giving teenagers and young people complete freedom to make their own choices and decisions, experiencing their own mistakes and success, I would argue that this is too risky. This sort of responsibility that is taken off of parents and authoritative figures has translated into what we see as today's youth. A large market where corporations scramble to harvest profit. In turn, we see our culture evolving into something hazardous. Don't tell me you don't see it.

What do you think?

I'm not a sociologist or psychologist, but I've long been of the opinion that part of the problems with our youth is that we don't give them *enough* personal responsibility, where they make choices and have to live with the consequences.

I watched the video. But you are wrong.
We did not lose a generation, we throwed it away.

S&F

I do agree that this new generation is being corrupted by commercialism, I see it all the time when i go to the stores / malls and I see it in the news. Kids are doing things at such a young age that I didn't even think about doing when i was at that age. We need to start holding them accountable for their actions, good and bad.

Another thing also is when a parent tries to tell a their kid that they know what he / she is going through, I believe really don't because the kids are a lot different today then they were 20 or so years ago.

SM

Originally posted by For(Home)Country


What do you think?

I think it sounds interesting and not to make you type more or anything (heh-heh-heh), but some of us are in places where we can't access Youtube so a nice little synopsis or outline would be most appreciated.

reply to post by silent thunder


My apologies, good sir. Here is the text version with the clever instructions at the end:

I am part of a lost generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within.”
is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy.”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are not the most important thing in my life
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more important than
family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
but this will not be true in my era
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it . Read the message, then read it again in reverse.

I hope that helps!

Originally posted by Geeky_Bubbe
I'm not a sociologist or psychologist, but I've long been of the opinion that part of the problems with our youth is that we don't give them *enough* personal responsibility, where they make choices and have to live with the consequences.

I would like to know what you mean by this? Are you possibility alluding to the concept that teenagers and kids are too restricted by their parents/authority and thus feel a reason to rebel? Or perhaps the fact that kids too constrained take their freedom too far when they are granted a tiny bit (such as stay out past curfew as a simple example)?

[edit on 123131p://111 by For(Home)Country]

Well, does it not say something that this issue spoke to someone of "the lost generation" enough to compose this? Or, that someone who states they are of "the lost generation" was moved enough to share it with this far flung community?

I would posit that these two things argue strongly against the general supposition.

Besides, I actually hang a lot of credence to the theory of the Millennials as put forth in Strauss and Howe's The Fourth Turning.

reply to post by For(Home)Country



Thanks. I like it. (Insofar as one can be said to like something grim like that.

I feel particular pity for the rising generation. As always there are exceptions, insert obligatory disclaimer here, yadda-yadda, but my impression overall is that today's kids have been raised with MASSIVE expectations and hyper-materialistic values, lack of human contact, and (perhaps most importantly) lack of a system that can allow them to be stable and productive adults. None of this is their fault, and they have my deep sympathies. On the flip side, we can hope it "toughesn them up" through a few years of "trial by fire" and forges a new "greatest generation." Not much of a hopeful outlook but there you go.

Originally posted by For(Home)Country

Originally posted by Geeky_Bubbe
I'm not a sociologist or psychologist, but I've long been of the opinion that part of the problems with our youth is that we don't give them *enough* personal responsibility, where they make choices and have to live with the consequences.

I would like to know what you mean by this? Are you possibility alluding to the concept that teenagers and kids are too restricted by their parents/authority and thus feel a reason to rebel? Or perhaps the fact that kids too constrained take their freedom too far when they are granted a tiny bit (such as stay out past curfew as a simple example)?

[edit on 123131p://111 by For(Home)Country]

Children and young people are taught that nothing is their fault: No personal responsibility.

Since nothing is their responsibility they have no experience with negative consequences. Young people have to have experiences with negative consequences else they have no experience in making judgments about behaviors and their likely negative consequences when they get on their own or when they go off to college.

We no longer teach children about money management, yet are amazed when they fall flat on their faces over money issues when they make their first excursions into independence, whether right out of high school or at college.

Etc.....

Brought to you by AARP ... Whom put their approval on the Health-care Law.

Amazing simply amazing.

My Generation will be the one that will once and for all toss tyranny out on its butt.

The answer to 2010 is 1789

reply to post by SWCCFAN


And your generation is? If I might ask? Well, OK, sure, I can ask but please feel no compulsion to answer.

reply to post by Geeky_Bubbe


Of course it spoke to me, reading the poem forwards provided an accurate description of the generation around me. All it takes it tuning into your local "hottest music" radio station to realize how far gone our youth are, not to mention seeing a group of teenagers are in a circle texting; communication digitally. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with digital communication, but like silent thunder said, a lack of communication can tear things apart. Unfortunately, we do live in a very materialistic society were our corporate economics promote mass consumption constantly, our youth are the perfect target. Promoting pop culture only furthers this.

I do agree that kids need to be granted freedom to generate responsibility, but unfortunately, many parents seem to grant this freedom without the proper teaching. When this happens, the end goal of teaching responsibility fails because children lack one of the two tools needed to learn: experience and knowledge.

If we can't change our culture and start focusing on others other than ourselves, nothing will change, and ATS will always have something to discuss.

reply to post by For(Home)Country


Dear For(Home)Country

Punk in the 70’s

The youth were always gone, remember flower power in the 60’s.

Teddy boys in the 50’s.

I am sure others can add to this list.

The problem is they never take it quite far enough. By the time they hit there mid twenties they settle for the corporate agenda.

Pretty profond poem.
I knew I should have copy writed "the Lost Generation" as I am a member of the original "Lost Generation". I'm a few weeks away from turning 'The Big Five-Oh!'
My teenage years, when we all start getting inquisitive about the purpose of life and why are we here, were in the 70's.
At that time it was the end of the Vietnam war/police action and before computers.
The only way we knew anything about Vietnam was through the media. Because I guess, it was so F'ed up over there that if you asked a Vet about it they would just ignore you and that was them being polite!
Computers were video machines! Who knew that we would have a worldwide 'internet' That word didn't even exist.
Politically we were Democratic, the work force, blue collar was where it was at, college was for nerds or just the plain lazy where you could make a career out of it.
The thing was to go to a Tech school and learn one of the 'Modern' trades and be at the top of your game!
Boy were we lost. Here I am at the top of my game, self employed, still working with what's left of my hands, no retirement and no social security. (Thank you 'Reaganomics' for I was born in the year where they had to break the 'System' in order for the new SS to take effect. Who would have 'Thunkit'!)
As far as today's self-pity hearted generation-- It's just a phase..

What an amazing poem.

Thank you I really am baffled by it. Even more so by the way it has been done.

Originally posted by MAC269
reply to post by For(Home)Country

 

Dear For(Home)Country

Punk in the 70’s

The youth were always gone, remember flower power in the 60’s.

Teddy boys in the 50’s.

I am sure others can add to this list.

The problem is they never take it quite far enough. By the time they hit there mid twenties they settle for the corporate agenda.

numanoids( freaky vacant types who had telescopes and alien dolls.
Bowie freaks(mothers hid their makeup andhaircolor from their sons.)
Skinheads (used foul language in every word)
The ones who take it far enough are in jail now
The comfortable kids always play as rebels.
The real rebels no its hard work.
There is a gang of spoilt kids who go around trashing buses every weekend almost, they do it because there are no consequences as another member has alluded to.
When in packs or groups they belong and feel protected from the rules of normal grown up society.
Some of these kids sort themselves out alone, but many just drift and lose out on a lot of good things in life, because their heads need spinning 180 degrees and sometimes no one can be bothered in pointing them on the right path.
Kids are sane if they can seea way to be happy they will go there, unfortunately a lot of kids only feel emptiness and rejection.

This video was true genius, it truly is something special and unique. I just keep watching it over and over S+F for bringing it to ATS......

This video was linked on Facebook months ago - never thought to bring it to ATS.

Good to view it again.