Generations
It is important to distinguish between familial and cultural generations. A familial generation is defined as the average time between a mother’s first offspring and her daughter’s first offspring. The generation length is 25.2 years in the United States as of 2007[2] and 27.4 years in the United Kingdom as of 2004[3].
THE BOOMERS ARE STILL THE PIG IN THE PYTHON.
Cultural generations are cohorts of people who were born in a certain date range and share a general cultural experience of the world.
The idea of a cultural generation, in the sense that it is used today gained currency in the late 19th century. Prior to that the concept "generation" had generally referred to family relationships, not broader social groupings. In 1863, French lexicographer Emile Littré had defined a generation as, "all men living more or less at the same time."[4]
However, as the 19th century wore on, several trends promoted a new idea of generations, of a society divided into different categories of people based on age. These trends were all related to the process of modernisation, industrialisation, or westernisation, which had been changing the face of Europe since the mid-eighteenth century. One was a change in mentality about time and social change. The increasing prevalence of enlightenment ideas encouraged the idea that society and life were changeable, and that civilisation could progress. This encouraged the equation of youth with social renewal and change. Political rhetoric in the 19th century often focused on the renewing power of youth influenced by movements such as Young Italy, Young Germany, Sturm und Drang, the German Youth Movement, and other romantic movements. By the end of the 19th century European intellectuals were disposed toward thinking of the world in generational terms, and in terms of youth rebellion and emancipation.[4]
Two important contributing factors to the change in mentality were the change in the economic structure of society. Because of the rapid social and economic change, young men particularly, were less beholden to their fathers and family authority than they had been. Greater social and economic mobility allowed them to flout their authority to a much greater extent than had traditionally been possible. Additionally, the skills and wisdom of fathers were often less valuable than they had been due to technological and social change.[4] During this time, the period of time between childhood and adulthood, usually spent at university or in military service, was also increased for many people entering white collar jobs. This category of people was very influential in spreading the ideas of youthful renewal.[4]
Another important factor was the break-down of traditional social and regional identifications. The spread of nationalism and many of the factors that created it (a national press, linguistic homogenisation, public education, suppression of local particularities) encouraged a broader sense of belonging, beyond local affiliations. People thought of themselves increasingly as part of a society, and this encouraged identification with groups beyond the local.[4]
Since then, generations have been defined in many different ways, by different people. Generational claims can often overlap and conflict. Often generational identification has a strongly political implication or connotation.
A List of Cultural Generations in the Western World
There have been many conflicting attempts to enumerate the generations of the western world.[5] Here are a few common definitions:
- The Lost Generation, primarily known as the Generation of 1914 in Europe,[6] were those who fought in the First World War.
- The Interbellum Generation is composed of those born at the close of the 19th century and were young adults during the 1920s.
- The Greatest Generation is the generation that includes the veterans who fought in World War II. They were born from around 1910 to the mid-1920s, coming of age during the Great Depression. Journalist Tom Brokaw dubbed this the Greatest Generation in a 1998 book of the same name.[7]
- The Silent Generation is the generation that includes those who were too young to join the service during World War II. Many had fathers who served in World War I. Generally recognized as the children of the Great Depression, this event during their formative years had a profound impact on this generation.
- The Baby Boom Generation is the generation that was born during World War II to the late 50s, a time that was marked by an increase in birthrates worldwide.[citation needed] Baby Boomers in their teenage and college years were characteristically part of the counterculture of the 1960s, the generation remained widely committed to keystone values such as gender equality, racial equality, and environmental stewardship.[8]
- Generation X is the generation generally defined as those born after the baby boom ended,[9] extending from around 1960 to the late 1970s.[10] They were the first generation with widespread access to television during their formative years. Other names used interchangeably with Generation X are 13th Generation,[8] and Baby Busters.
- Generation Y is also known as Generation Next or the Millennials.[11] Generation Y spans from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]
- The following Generation, referred to as Generation Z, and various other names, was born between the mid-1990s and end of the 2000s.[24][25][26]
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All the above because I got an email from someone from 50 years ago (sic: my 1st love).
"Hello Richard,
Have just finished reading the (sic: prince charles) speech. I like much of what he has to say but will discuss more tomorrow.
“Our generation did not grow up considering ourselves to be more important than our community. This is the big difference between generations.
“A percentage of these young people are rootless and spoiled. Everything
Revolves about them. It is my this and my that. Poor little me. The
Drinking, the doing drugs…Wow! What a great unproductive way to have
a good time and how beneficial! Is it smart or stupid?
More tomorrow. J."
I AM A CAMERA
Hi J.
You don’t have to be the Prince to notice that we’re all in a bit of a pickle.
Just 96 months to save world, says Prince Charles
The price of capitalism and consumerism is just too high, he tells industrialists
I do mean all of us - it’s not just you and me and the Prince - as easy as it to mock the modern condition - throw stones at modern media, movies and music, never has there been so much so many – millions on the same page wanting SEX with Angelina Jolie. A new global consciousness arising.
There are handfuls of fanatics that can make all the difference while billions sleep.
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Is that what your para is about?
"Our generation did not grow up considering ourselves to be more important than our community. This is the big difference between generations. A percentage of these young people are rootless and spoiled. Everything revolves about them. It is my this and my that. Poor little me."
When I was viewing the Prince’s Speech and looking at his Duchess and the Audience I was time-travelling - the Prince is flying to Paris to get the body. Diana’s brother asking "where were you Chuck" The flag not flying at half mast. Stolen teddie bears, conspiracy theory.
Can the Prince stop the destruction of the rain forest - or the downward slide of the English – fast becoming poor cousins to the Irish and the Scots (GNP). Ireland is booming and Jaguar Motors has been sold to India.
So who are you talking about? Your children. My children. That’s rhetoric or i think it is but you tell me. I expect you’ll say they’re somehow - outside your generalization - but who then are you talking about.
We’re both too young too old (born 1940) to fit easily by age into the silent generation or the boomers -
My two wives were Boomers but first they were Donna and Kathleen. The two great loves of my life.
You were my 1st love – but the one who got away. I’ve written you other times about this FACT. I’ve turned CBC Ottawa back on.
It’s 2012 - the world’s is endng. It’s time to call Mike. I see you naked in the lifeguard cabin in Banff. 1967? The walks back to The Banff Springs Hotel. These are Visuals – silent movies – what about you – do you dream in color or black and white – can you dream in all the senses.
This is dangerous stuff. Happens when you get old and can remember something you did 50 years ago and you can’t find your keys. We better stop.
Mike - who I am off to have breakfast with - Is 40 – so by the numbers he’s an X. Most of my sailing friends are X’s. Bill’s my age - but he’s not one of my ACTIVE friends - I don’t sail with Bill – no one does - he has a big power boat and cable TV. I talk to him once or twice or three times a day when he passes by taking Duke the Dog for a walk, pee and a poop.
So I am falling down the generations. I’m not even a Boomer any more. At least I don’t whine about it - but then neither do you – you’re ascending/aging In the other direction – I understand or rather I remember you insisting you were not a boomer and having written this I see the “why” that covers both our cases is the same – it’s who we spend time with the most.
I hope you don’t think I think I am 40. I am 69 soon to be 70. Put me in a nursing home full of old codgers and in six months I’d act older than you – assuming you and ray stay together.
It is so simple I almost missed it. The people doing what I am doing are younger – like Mike - he’s the guy I know in the “here and now” real 3D world. He is doing what I want to do. Just doing it. “Come out come out, come out and play.”
Is there any other way to sail or have breakfast. If you were here it might be different and still be fun so don’t read anything negative here. Today I don’t want to do anything. Lazy day. If you could be Dixie you’d just know of what I speak without a word being spoke.
WALT WHITMAN says “You _____ are not the word” and because he is so gifted with words he almost breaks his point by almost making it (the Blank) so that when he says “leaves of grass” the reader smells green grass as for me “J.” is a visual, an 18-years old in a black and white video. I have some color pictures in my head, lots at the pool, or when we’re having coffee at the Paris Cafe – those have sound, video, tastes and other people. It’s all good.
About 9:00 PM (last night) I moved to my bed, the forward cabin, a few minutes later she (Dixie) arrived. She usually sleeps with me or Mason. It was my turn. Now it is 9:26 AM and she’s gone for the day.
I didn’t write this letter last night. I had three computers going - there is stuff I have ordered for the sail to St. Thomas.
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Sold To
—————–
Richard Larratt
—————–
Purchase Summary
—————–
Confirmation Number: 395953 Date: 11/19/2009 9:02:29 PM
Item 1
Product ID: 17224
Product Name: Navy Beans 5 pounds
Product Price: $10.63
Quantity: 1
Item 2
Product ID: 10756
Product Name: Sliced Dry Kiwi 1 pound
Product Price: $6.38
Quantity: 1
Item 3
Product ID: 10706
Product Name: Sliced Mango Slices 1 pound
Product Price: $6.38
Quantity: 1
Item 4
Product ID: 41174
Product Name: Molasses Powder 5 pounds
Product Price: $15.32
Quantity: 1
Item 5
Product ID: 17094
Product Name: Black Turtle Beans 5 pounds
Product Price: $10.63
Quantity: 1
Item 6
Product ID: 17144
Product Name: Great Northern Beans 5 pounds
Product Price: $10.63
Quantity: 1
Item 7
Product ID: 40036
Product Name: Yeast Active Dry 1 pound
Product Price: $6.34
Quantity: 1
Item 8
Product ID: 16026
Product Name: Spouting Alfalfa Seeds 1 pound
Product Price: $10.64
Quantity: 1
SubTotal: $76.95
Shipping: $5.00(UPS Ground 48 States)
Packing: $0.00
State Tax: $0.00
Country Tax: $0.00
Grand Total: $81.95
Thank you for your order.
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More about crepes later
Boston baked beans
and bratwurst - that’s the ticket.
besides beans there is rice and barley