G e n e r a t i o n s __________________________________ Do you ever think about generations? To me, it's a fascinating subject, and it has been, ever since I knew there was such a thing.
I suppose the first generation I knew about was the Baby Boomer generation. My guess is I found out about it at the same time as learning a couple other elements, so those elements were tied together for a certain amount of time. As time passes, the elements become clearer and more distinct from each other. What I initially found out - while I was in my teens - was that there had been quite a shift in society in the 60s, because of a boom in people having children after WWII, and that that group of people includes my own parents.
Tied together, in this one lesson, are quite a few elements: 1) There are things called generations, which affect society, both society of yesteryear and society of right now. 2) There are other generations, both before and after the Baby Boomers. 3) There could be reasons my parents and I have the relationship we do that have more to do with larger forces than our individual concerns; that it might not be easy to distinguish between individual activities and generational activities. 4) There are new generations happening all the time, each having been affected by formers, and each affecting latters, to whatever degree. 5) Generational effects could tie into our individual questions in life regarding topics like parenting, government, authority, safety, community, finances.
It was quite a revelation to me when I first heard of generations. You might say it was "mind blowing" or "boggling", but no matter what you call it, it was overwhelming. It was overwhelming because the evidence is so readily apparent and so immediately apparent. I could turn on the news and see it. I could have a conversation with almost anyone and see it. "See it", see what, exactly? I could see how generational knowledge was affecting our decisions on an individual level.
While I was finding out about generations, there were examples of the undulations happening before my eyes. Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" hitting the airwaves. A second Woodstock. The Mtv "Unplugged" series. Meanwhile, bands I was in were renting halls and clubs to hold events, halls and clubs built by former generations. And I knew that my grandparents and great-grandparents had somehow provided for us. They had built those clubs and halls, and passed along attitudes that were open enough yet secure enough to accommodate what we were trying to do, here, many years later. They had provided a space and a spirit for us to explore what we needed to explore.
This is how I found out that generations exist, and that generations matter. It's how I found out that what we do now can provide for or diminish resources for people living decades later. Here I was, a mere teenager in the 90s, hoping our generation would be providers, after having witnessed the provisions left behind by my own grandparents and great-grandparents.
Having found out about generational topics calmed many worries in my life on the individual level. It diminished the rebel spirit, the "rat in a cage" feeling. It helped me look for what really matters in life, and how to distinguish it from the petty, the passing, the cheap. It helped distinguish the individual desire from the generational, or even national or human desire, to be free and happy in a way we know is worthwhile and betters the world for those who will be here decades after we are gone.
Look at all the stuff, in the world, left behind by previous generations and by current ones. it is honestly fascinating to consider all the various efforts that have taken place in order to accomplish this or that goal. How many times we have thought "if we just do this one thing, just buy this one product etc., everything will be solved."
In all honesty, I enjoy the look back. I can also say I enjoy the look forward. Perhaps it can most easily be said that I enjoy the view from this time in my life. I owe that bit of joy to the knowledge of generations, a most fascinating lens through which to view this mortal coil.
= M =
G e n e r a t i o n s
__________________________________
Do you ever think about generations? To me, it's a fascinating subject, and it has been, ever since I knew there was such a thing.
I suppose the first generation I knew about was the Baby Boomer generation. My guess is I found out about it at the same time as learning a couple other elements, so those elements were tied together for a certain amount of time. As time passes, the elements become clearer and more distinct from each other. What I initially found out - while I was in my teens - was that there had been quite a shift in society in the 60s, because of a boom in people having children after WWII, and that that group of people includes my own parents.
Tied together, in this one lesson, are quite a few elements:
1) There are things called generations, which affect society, both society of yesteryear and society of right now.
2) There are other generations, both before and after the Baby Boomers.
3) There could be reasons my parents and I have the relationship we do that have more to do with larger forces than our individual concerns; that it might not be easy to distinguish between individual activities and generational activities.
4) There are new generations happening all the time, each having been affected by formers, and each affecting latters, to whatever degree.
5) Generational effects could tie into our individual questions in life regarding topics like parenting, government, authority, safety, community, finances.
It was quite a revelation to me when I first heard of generations. You might say it was "mind blowing" or "boggling", but no matter what you call it, it was overwhelming. It was overwhelming because the evidence is so readily apparent and so immediately apparent. I could turn on the news and see it. I could have a conversation with almost anyone and see it. "See it", see what, exactly? I could see how generational knowledge was affecting our decisions on an individual level.
While I was finding out about generations, there were examples of the undulations happening before my eyes. Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" hitting the airwaves. A second Woodstock. The Mtv "Unplugged" series. Meanwhile, bands I was in were renting halls and clubs to hold events, halls and clubs built by former generations. And I knew that my grandparents and great-grandparents had somehow provided for us. They had built those clubs and halls, and passed along attitudes that were open enough yet secure enough to accommodate what we were trying to do, here, many years later. They had provided a space and a spirit for us to explore what we needed to explore.
This is how I found out that generations exist, and that generations matter. It's how I found out that what we do now can provide for or diminish resources for people living decades later. Here I was, a mere teenager in the 90s, hoping our generation would be providers, after having witnessed the provisions left behind by my own grandparents and great-grandparents.
Having found out about generational topics calmed many worries in my life on the individual level. It diminished the rebel spirit, the "rat in a cage" feeling. It helped me look for what really matters in life, and how to distinguish it from the petty, the passing, the cheap. It helped distinguish the individual desire from the generational, or even national or human desire, to be free and happy in a way we know is worthwhile and betters the world for those who will be here decades after we are gone.
Look at all the stuff, in the world, left behind by previous generations and by current ones. it is honestly fascinating to consider all the various efforts that have taken place in order to accomplish this or that goal. How many times we have thought "if we just do this one thing, just buy this one product etc., everything will be solved."
In all honesty, I enjoy the look back. I can also say I enjoy the look forward. Perhaps it can most easily be said that I enjoy the view from this time in my life. I owe that bit of joy to the knowledge of generations, a most fascinating lens through which to view this mortal coil.
=M=
6 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 2