A Rant over the war between the generations: The last great insult

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around generational tensions related to environmental issues, particularly how these tensions have persisted since the late 1960s. Participants reflect on their experiences and perceptions regarding the attitudes of older generations towards environmental concerns, drawing connections to historical figures and events.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over generational divides regarding environmental issues, citing historical context from the publication of "Silent Spring" and the political climate of the late 1960s.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that the current generation's disdain for SUVs may lead to a change in attitudes towards environmental concerns.
  • A different viewpoint notes that older generations may not feel compelled to address long-term environmental issues since they will not be around to face the consequences.
  • There is a call for a leader akin to Teddy Roosevelt to address environmental challenges, with a humorous mix-up regarding which Roosevelt is referenced.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the motivations and responsibilities of various generations regarding environmental issues. There is no clear consensus on the effectiveness of generational attitudes or the potential for change.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal anecdotes and opinions without delving into specific environmental policies or scientific data, leaving certain assumptions and emotional responses unexamined.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in generational perspectives on environmental issues, historical context of environmental movements, and the interplay between personal experiences and broader societal trends.

Ivan Seeking
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
8,252
Reaction score
2,664
Many people here are too young to remember this, but environmental issues once divided the generations more than the two political parties - at least in my universe. In short, I spend half of my life, politically, arguing with guys my dad's age about the environment. It really all started with the book Silent Spring, which was written by a Biologist as I remember, but typically it was the anti-war, extreme left wing, you know, the hippies and draft dodgers, that supported all of this environmental mumbo jumbo...according to people my fathers age. Keep in mind that this begins in about 1968. I find that for people my age, and for people my father's age, these tensions can still manifest with surprising intensity. I recently fell right into a similar generations argument over Vietnam with my friend of nearly thirty years, my high school physics teacher. This is still a sore subject for us.

Keeping in mind that I mean no disrespect to my parent's generation, which really did give so much, from the depression through WWII and Korea, they still really tick me off when it comes to the environment. As the last slap in the face, the last statement of complete disregard for this question of lifestyles and the environment, how does a significant percent of my parent's generation spend their retirement years?

DRIVING MOTORHOMES FROM HERE TO KINGDOM COME!

Been wanting to get that off of my chest for a long time.
Thank you very much.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Ivan Seeking said:
DRIVING MOTORHOMES FROM HERE TO KINGDOM COME! QUOTE]
Don't worry, perhaps those vexed with SUVs will put an end to this madness too? :biggrin:
 
Well, at least with older people who are going to die within a few decades, they don't have to worry about what will happen to the environment down the road, because they'll be dead. It seems to be the people that'll have to deal with it who are more likely to care, though there are still a lot of young people who don't care about the environment at all.
 
I guess we need another Teddy Roosevelt to solve this problem...
 
motai said:
I guess we need another Teddy Roosevelt to solve this problem...

yes, if Teddy said to save energy, that would have been the end of it. :biggrin:

Oh wait, I meant the other Roosevelt - FDR.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 161 ·
6
Replies
161
Views
15K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
12K
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
7K
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
8K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
9
Views
5K