Keepers of the Culture of The Greatest Generation

[Tomasso]

Disclaimer..... *Any opinions expressed in this post are solely those of my husbands and do not necessarily represent myself

Oh, you have a back seat poster, eh. How ya' doin' there, Mr.rue? :wave:

 

[sheeplady]

To me, we are all keepers of the culture that we pass on. What will remain of the generations before us is what they (and we) have recorded, but more importantly, the stories we tell. The stories we tell are important- we tell them for many reasons- as warnings, as hope-givers, as examples, as light-hearted jokes, as entertainment, as shared culture... etc. We tell stories because whatever the content it speaks to us, and we often hope that it will speak to others. I think one of the important things that is important for any generation is to tell some of the stories from the generations before, particularly those stories that are long-lasting and important- they speak truths to us. All people have their stories.

I think by sharing these stories and having appreciation for these stories, we are not only honoring previous generations, we are honoring ourselves and our shared culture. We all come from somewhere- and how we define ourselves is shaped by the stories we tell and how we tell them. That doesn't always mean the stories we tell are positive.

I think that by being here, we have indicated that we are interested in the stories of this generation, and that we are interested in interweaving their stories into their own.

 

[Chas]

One of the drawbacks of the Greatest Generation was the fact that many had tough times and in turn said that they wanted their children to have all the things they did not have.

As such many kids were spoiled getting all that their parents did not have but at the same time the kids did not get the values of their parents, this is what spawned the worst parts of the 1960's.

If this is any consolation to you the present generation is the first generation in living memory that will have fewer economic prospects than it's elders. So history will have an opportunity to repeat itself.

Speaking specifically of North America - though the same will be said of 20 somethings in Greece, Iceland, Ireland and a number of other countries. The USA, for certain.

 

[scottyrocks]

My husband said the same thing, after I had him read this thread. He also said that he thinks "the greatest generation" is not the one we're writing about, but (in the USA) those of our country's forefathers generation and the generation at the turn of the century in the industrial age. He believes that the "greatest generation" were a great generation that did outstanding with what they were handed. The former on the other hand created their own opportunities and risked everything they had. To him it takes more out of a person to risk everything, than to have to deal with what they're handed. He also said that he's not taking anything away from that generation.

Disclaimer..... *Any opinions expressed in this post are solely those of my husbands and do not necessarily represent myself

Oh boy, yeah. I see so many kids today that feel that the world just owes them everything. And so many adults that forgive it because the world today 'is not like when we were young.' The reason why the world isnt the same is because so many people changed it. Its a multi-faceted, hugely complicated topic, but we have arrived at an 'entitlement' generation that cant even fathom the idea of doing for oneself. Of course, this does not mean everyone, but the prevalence is there, and seems to move more in that direction all the time.

 

[rue]

Oh, you have a back seat poster, eh. How ya' doin' there, Mr.rue? :wave:

lol He said hello back and also said to tell you that he's only a back seat poster, because he would spend waaaaay to much time on here and does through me enough as it is

Oh and you can call him Rich

Oh boy, yeah. I see so many kids today that feel that the world just owes them everything. And so many adults that forgive it because the world today 'is not like when we were young.' The reason why the world isnt the same is because so many people changed it. Its a multi-faceted, hugely complicated topic, but we have arrived at an 'entitlement' generation that cant even fathom the idea of doing for oneself. Of course, this does not mean everyone, but the prevalence is there, and seems to move more in that direction all the time.

You're preaching to the choir

 

[Pompidou]

I think the 60s were a well needed slap in the face so to speak, from the excessive conformity and patriotism of the 50s, lest we endure 10 more years of red scare and McCarthyism and so on. Everything has a way of working out. The hippies did grow up eventually, but the idea that maybe it's not a good idea to blindly do what you're told, just because everyone else does - that's more valuable than manners.

 

[Chas]

Well, the hippies were right about Nixon and nobody believed them.

Not at first, anyway....

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

I think the 60s were a well needed slap in the face so to speak, from the excessive conformity and patriotism of the 50s, lest we endure 10 more years of red scare and McCarthyism and so on. Everything has a way of working out. The hippies did grow up eventually, but the idea that maybe it's not a good idea to blindly do what you're told, just because everyone else does - that's more valuable than manners.

I agree. Even more here in germany. Of course they have overdone it ..

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I am sickened by the fact that handwriting has such little value now. People always make comments about my handwriting, I will tell them that it's just cursive. People my age just tell me that they don't know how to write in cursive, or read it for that matter.

Segregation will always exist, in my opinion. Many people want to be with people 'like' them which regardless of whether you think it's right or wrong, it's human nature. Look at our own thread here about our own town for Loungers. It's just like gated communities, people like to be with people who are like them. In most cases it isn't racist, who doesn't want to be around people they enjoy all the time? Not to mention the fact that the financial issue can have a major impact as well.

I do wish that America could still be as patriotic as it once was. You should be proud to be what you are and of where you live. Pride is a good thing and I think would really help this country out. Not saying we should follow blindly, but also that this is our culture and we should embrace it.

 

[Pompidou]

I do wish that America could still be as patriotic as it once was. You should be proud to be what you are and of where you live. Pride is a good thing and I think would really help this country out. Not saying we should follow blindly, but also that this is our culture and we should embrace it.

There are two different sorts of patriotism, so I'll agree with you in terms of the benign patriotism. Pride in our history - I agree with you. Pride in who we are? Same. Recognizing that the things we've done in the past make us who we are - whole heartedly. I was a history major - I like that sort of thinking. Where I draw the line, and I think you do too, is the sort of patriotism that demands blind pride in current events. I have no specific events in mind and wouldn't mention them if I did, but I am a firm believer that the people should attempt to hold the government accountable to their personal moral values - I think it's our culture and patriotic to do so - being descended from rebels of a cause. It's only when everyone in the nation says, "Mr. President, good job" or "You should be ashamed" so to speak, that some idea of national culture can come to the surface. The sort of patriotism I despise is the sort that labels contrary opinion unpatriotic. That sort of patriotism is often shortlived, but reoccurs every few decades. The good patriotism is eternal - if not expressed in different ways. That's my two cents.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I think the 60s were a well needed slap in the face so to speak, from the excessive conformity and patriotism of the 50s, lest we endure 10 more years of red scare and McCarthyism and so on. Everything has a way of working out. The hippies did grow up eventually, but the idea that maybe it's not a good idea to blindly do what you're told, just because everyone else does - that's more valuable than manners.

I wouldn't give the hippies the credit for that view, though -- my grandmother taught me that, and she was as far from being a flower child as it's possible to get. (She was a Prohibitionist, in fact.) Most Golden Era kids grew up with a similar point of view being slammed into their ears -- "Stand up for what's right even if you're the last one standing." The idea of that generation as one of identical sheep-like conformists is very very far from the reality. Kerouac and Salinger have a lot to answer for.

One of the interesting things about Americans is that we usually see thru demagogues pretty quickly. McCarthy's day in the sun was really little more than three years. He only came to national prominence in 1950, and was being widely denounced very soon after of his first big "I hold in my hand a list..." speech. In fact, the cartoonist Herblock coined the negative term "McCarthyism" just seven weeks after that first speech, and it was just four months after that speech that Margaret Chase Smith forcefully denounced McCarthy on the floor of the Senate. Opposition mounted from then on, and he won reelection to his Senate seat in 1952 only by a very narrow margin. By the time of the Army-McCarthy Hearings in early 1954, he was already finished as a credible figure.

 

[John in Covina]

I think the 60s were a well needed slap in the face so to speak, from the excessive conformity and patriotism of the 50s, lest we endure 10 more years of red scare and McCarthyism and so on. Everything has a way of working out. The hippies did grow up eventually, but the idea that maybe it's not a good idea to blindly do what you're told, just because everyone else does - that's more valuable than manners.

McCarthy was a thug and used thug tactics but the reality of the infiltration of avowed Communists in places of influence in the US has been proven out by the files that have come to light in the former Soviet Union.

 

[sheeplady]

If this is any consolation to you the present generation is the first generation in living memory that will have fewer economic prospects than it's elders. So history will have an opportunity to repeat itself.

Speaking specifically of North America - though the same will be said of 20 somethings in Greece, Iceland, Ireland and a number of other countries. The USA, for certain.

I wonder if we have lost some of the lessons of the greatest generation. I was raised by people who despised debt, to the point where they did without, worked two jobs, and scrimped and saved to make sure that any debt they had was gone as soon as possible. Their thoughts was that debt meant that someone else "owned" whatever you had debt on- and could take it away at a whim- and therefore "owned" you. They learned this lesson the hard way- because they or their parents or neighbors had debt. My grandparents, parents, and myself internalized this; but I see many others of my parents generation (and my own) who do not share this perspective.

One of the reasons why I think we are in this financial situation is that we have lost the lesson about debt. Granted, we are a different society today, and debt it more common (and some would argue more necessary), but how many people do you know who are waiting and saving up to do things, rather than just putting it on a credit card or tacking more on their mortgage for things that are not related to education or survival? This is obviously NOT a new lesson to be learned- is it is lesson that we need to repeat every 2-3 generations?

 

[John in Covina]

This is obviously NOT a new lesson to be learned- is it is lesson that we need to repeat every 2-3 generations?

The same thing applies to Wall Street and the Stock Market there the two driving interests are Fear and Greed. When things are humming along the Greedy feel is it will last forever and the exuberance is over confident, then the hiccup comes fear kicks in and we get some type of major crash or minor bubble burst. This cycle repeats fairly regularly.

 

[John in Covina]

If this is any consolation to you the present generation is the first generation in living memory that will have fewer economic prospects than it's elders. So history will have an opportunity to repeat itself. Speaking specifically of North America - though the same will be said of 20 somethings in Greece, Iceland, Ireland and a number of other countries. The USA, for certain.

I think that there is a set up to this. As the economic base of the first world countries shifts from production to service economies there is a continuing shake out. Education was the key to advancement in the past but we have a glut of over educated people in the work force. Out this way there are jobs requiring a Masters or higher that is paying $14 per hour. The California EPA has been and still is chasing much needed jobs out of the state. The green economy so far is a bust in most places. Yet opportunity still exists. I don't know how to change it but the thing is it is unlikely we will return to how it was previously.

The US still excels in design and development as well as prototype and boutique production.

As in the past, we do have a great entrepeneur (SP?) spirit here so we are capable of a turn around.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I agree with you. I love America for all it is and was. I am very proud to be an American. I do believe, however, we should always be questioning the government and not just blindly accepting everything they say and do as the gospel. That's part of what's great about this country. We have the right to do that!

There are two different sorts of patriotism, so I'll agree with you in terms of the benign patriotism. Pride in our history - I agree with you. Pride in who we are? Same. Recognizing that the things we've done in the past make us who we are - whole heartedly. I was a history major - I like that sort of thinking. Where I draw the line, and I think you do too, is the sort of patriotism that demands blind pride in current events. I have no specific events in mind and wouldn't mention them if I did, but I am a firm believer that the people should attempt to hold the government accountable to their personal moral values - I think it's our culture and patriotic to do so - being descended from rebels of a cause. It's only when everyone in the nation says, "Mr. President, good job" or "You should be ashamed" so to speak, that some idea of national culture can come to the surface. The sort of patriotism I despise is the sort that labels contrary opinion unpatriotic. That sort of patriotism is often shortlived, but reoccurs every few decades. The good patriotism is eternal - if not expressed in different ways. That's my two cents.

My parents raised me to believe that debt is a bad thing. Here and there I borrow some money from my parents here and there, but otherwise I own everything outright. I shop at thrift shops, scrimp, and save. My friends pick on my old Buick, my station wagon, and my pickup truck, while they all drive sporty, or newer vehicles. I always tell them that they don't own them, the bank or credit union does. I paid cash money for all of mine. They are my vehicles.

I wonder if we have lost some of the lessons of the greatest generation. I was raised by people who despised debt, to the point where they did without, worked two jobs, and scrimped and saved to make sure that any debt they had was gone as soon as possible. Their thoughts was that debt meant that someone else "owned" whatever you had debt on- and could take it away at a whim- and therefore "owned" you. They learned this lesson the hard way- because they or their parents or neighbors had debt. My grandparents, parents, and myself internalized this; but I see many others of my parents generation (and my own) who do not share this perspective.

One of the reasons why I think we are in this financial situation is that we have lost the lesson about debt. Granted, we are a different society today, and debt it more common (and some would argue more necessary), but how many people do you know who are waiting and saving up to do things, rather than just putting it on a credit card or tacking more on their mortgage for things that are not related to education or survival? This is obviously NOT a new lesson to be learned- is it is lesson that we need to repeat every 2-3 generations?

This is a sad fact. I have a High School diploma, and work with a lady who has a masters in business, but couldn't find a job with it, now works in the factory with me, and I make more money than her. I was going to go to school to get my Real Estate license, as I'm very well-versed in it. My dad's a land-developer. To end this story fast, I graduated High School in 2009, the real estate market wasn't the best career choice anymore!

I think that there is a set up to this. As the economic base of the first world countries shifts from production to service economies there is a continuing shake out. Education was the key to advancement in the past but we have a glut of over educated people in the work force. Out this way there are jobs requiring a Masters or higher that is paying $14 per hour. The California EPA has been and still is chasing much needed jobs out of the state. The green economy so far is a bust in most places. Yet opportunity still exists. I don't know how to change it but the thing is it is unlikely we will return to how it was previously.

The US still excels in design and development as well as prototype and boutique production.

As in the past, we do have a great entrepeneur (SP?) spirit here so we are capable of a turn around.

 

[Pompidou]

There's a new lending organization due to come into being in 2011 called the Generation Y Fund or something, and with the current job market and oversaturation of degreed underemployed youth disgruntled at the unfulfilled promises of teachers, parents and guidance counselors - entrepreneurism is no longer a bad option. It's not good safe job vs good risky job. It's good risky job vs bad job. Entrepreneurism is rising fast. It's what I'm doing. The only way to have a good future is to make it yourself.

 

[Widebrim]

True -- but this was also true of the Era, especially in medium-sized cities above the Mason Dixon Line and east of the Mississippi. It's a common modern belief that de jure segregation existed everywhere prior to the mid-sixties. It did not -- but I submit that there's a reason why modern folks want to think it did. It makes the stalled progress of the modern era look that much better by comparison.

You're right about that common misconception, which is one reason some people have such a negative knee-jerk reaction when others bring up the positive aspects of the past. When discussing the Civil Rights era, I make it clear to my students that most of the "de jure" segregation witnessed at that time was limited geographically. I'm not attempting to downplay the historic context, or to deny "de facto" conditions, but rather want them to simply understand that not all Americans witnessed such enforced restrictions.

 

[John in Covina]

You're right about that common misconception, which is one reason some people have such a negative knee-jerk reaction when others bring up the positive aspects of the past. When discussing the Civil Rights era, I make it clear to my students that most of the "de jure" segregation witnessed at that time was limited geographically. I'm not attempting to downplay the historic context, or to deny "de facto" conditions, but rather want them to simply understand that not all Americans witnessed such enforced restrictions.

When I went back to Long Island in 2000 I saw racism at a Pizza place by the people behind the counter that simply was so disturbing. The guys behind the counter were late 20's or early 30's an while not telling this black man they would not serve him they refused to serve him and barely acknowledged him the animosity was thinly veiled.

It was something that i had never seen, "so in your face" in my home town. In many ways racism in this type of instance is learned and is mostly on an emotional level not logical. That fact that a business would operate in such a fashion is mind boggling.

 

[Widebrim]

When I went back to Long Island in 2000 I saw racism at a Pizza place by the people behind the counter that simply was so disturbing. The guys behind the counter were late 20's or early 30's an while not telling this black man they would not serve him they refused to serve him and barely acknowledged him the animosity was thinly veiled.

It was something that i had never seen, "so in your face" in my home town. In many ways racism in this type of instance is learned and is mostly on an emotional level not logical. That fact that a business would operate in such a fashion is mind boggling.

Proof that the attitudes that spawned Do the Right Thing are still with us...That such attitudes still exist in this "enlightened" age, is to me more proof of the guts that Golden Age producers/writers had when they confronted bigotry in such films as Crossfire, No Way Out, Broken Arrow, and Gentlemen's Agreement.