Seniors Made It Happen, Jac**ss
Posted on Friday, June 15th, 2012
Okay. This just made me laugh, and then grimace. See what you think…
ALL the things we enjoy today are made possible only because the generations before us had a vision. Let’s give them our respect, shall we?
My Gram marveled at the fact that in her lifetime she went from riding a horse and buggy to flying over the clouds in a jet airplane. She liked to talk about how she traveled by every mode of transportation as she grew up. She even watched that first step on the moon and wondered what would be next, just like we all did.
Apple may come out with a new version of their iPad again tomorrow. Google could change the way we find things, again. Facebook is, well, doing whatever it is Facebook does. Do you really want a pat on the back? It’s what we’ve always done – invent and create.
The point is, we know you’re out there, young people, changing the world. We know that we now hold in our hand more computing power than we had on a city block just a few decades ago. So? Who do you think pioneered these thoughts about communication, traveling, engineering, and rocket science for Heaven’s sake? Yup. That old guy or gal sitting there enjoying the fishing and watching the clouds go by.
Don’t discredit us because we’re old. We are the foundation for many of the things you have and use today. You want communication? We went from the pony express to the telegraph to the telephone and to the satellite. You want safe working places? We fought for them and got them. You want the right to vote? That was us. You want air you can breathe and water you can drink? That’s what we wanted too, and got it. Do you want medicine to fight disease, kids that don’t work in factories when they’re 12 years old, and a world where “weekend” became a household word? Thank your ancestors.
So the next time a member of the younger generation tries to tell you how wonderfully forward thinking they are, tell them to “get a horse.” You oldsters will know what I mean.
Thanks for stopping by to read my rant. Be sure to comment below (positive or negative, I welcome all) and share your thoughts. I just found this subject interesting… and irritating. Thanks for joining me.
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Great post Patti! Being forward thinking doesn’t have anything to do with age, you either are or you aren’t.
Thank you, Amanda! Yup… you either are or you aren’t. Like I said in another comment, this new technology wasn’t hatched out of thin air. Ask any inventor. It takes years of research and study. Perhaps even for generations! So, yeah, young people need to be careful who they call out of touch. If they really think their iPhone or iPad or whatever just dropped out of the sky into their little hands, they need to think again.
Thanks again for stopping by, Amanda. I always enjoy your visits.
Absolutely, Patti! One of the most important things the young generation could learn from us and those before us would be RESPECT. They seem to be lacking in the knowledge and ability!
Yes, Nina… RESPECT. Thanks for the reminder. That’s truly what it’s all about. If they want to believe that nothing came before them in the way of knowledge or technology or anything, let them think that, but do it in a respectful manner. But, nothing was hatched out of thin air and young people would be wise to remember that.
If young people are smart, they will learn that every advancement in science, medicine, and technology can be traced back to generations and generations of study and discovery. Perhaps instead of negating the older person, young people should ask an older person what they remember about new discoveries and the thrill they felt when they first used new technology.
Thank you, Nina, for sharing your thoughts here. You know I always appreciate the company here in the blogosphere. 😉
Patti, I love this post and your ‘rant!’ Right on!! I too laughed and I just can envision the whole scene. The other night I watched a movie with my grandchildren and their parents. It was funny, there was a consent among them that “I wouldn’t understand what is going on!” It was a movie from several hundred years ago. I had to laugh because what made the youngsters think that they would understand it but not Grandma? Ah, but how good it feels to be able to just smile and think: “Youth, they too will be us one day!” And the generation gap will repeat again as it did before us and after us! I love being old grandma who doesn’t know anything!
Hi Ute – Thanks for stopping by and especially for such a fun comment! I know, right? All we can do is laugh, smugly, knowing that the youngsters will also be reminded of the generation gap someday. And they will be appalled that the youngsters around them can possibly think they are out of touch with what’s hip and happenin’ and now and groovy… oops, did I just say groovy? Oh yeah, and that expression was used before the 1960’s so… see? All we can do is shrug and smile. Some day, my lovelies. Some day. 😉
Great rant!
Thank you, Kate! And thanks for stopping by. I sure appreciate the company!
I Love this post. So glad we found each other.
Thanks, Tess! I’m glad we found each other, too. 😉