The new generations

[Pik]

How are they different from your generation?

I have a younger sister and cousin I can occasionally observe and analyze. From what I noticed, they're familiar with online communities, visual art, video games and they use English in everyday conversation (thinking I can't really understand them?) I would say they follow the trends in terms of clothes and hairstyle and music. I'm in my mid 30s btw, and they're mid/late 20s.

 

[Stuart Dren]

Well as of a week ago, I'm Old now.

As far as literacy and character constitution goes (the normal complaints), I actually don't see a difference across generations. There always have been and will be a large number of people who struggle with reading, independent thought etc...

Aesthetically? I think tattoos might be just past their peak now. Broccoli hair plague, bare bellies. Obsession with body fat % seems to have returned (I swear it felt like we had a break from that). Suspect more common plastic surgery and tren use. Stark drop off in sex after COVID. Third social space (oh crap, and sex) is now mostly online, but that was a large chunk of my generation too, as was pre-30s infantilization.

I'm very curious to see how the younger teens right now turn out as adults. AI combined with the looming collapse of diploma mills and the fact the generational wealth from the 20th century has almost all been harvested... it would make you think they'd be the most cynical, right? It makes the 90s/oughts white middle class grunge/emo stuff (Lincoln Park, Our Lady Peace, Nirvana) seem unjustified. Lol, you guys had a garage and could afford instruments?

Though even as a teen I recall reading Raine Maida reflect on one song from Naveed. He talked about being in college full time and going to family therapy. That was a real "oh, this guy's always been in a totally different economic class than me" moment. So maybe that gap is already a chasm.

 

[Casket]

We went to arcades to play games that were also available on Playstation at home. As well as to play those that were not available on Playstation.
Now this generation doesn't go to the arcades anymore.

 

[Pik]

Thank you for the responses and Stuart Dren happy birthday.

My sister and cousin are born after the chaotic time in my country and they didn't really go through some of the struggles I went through but they probably have their own issues and they're more in tune with what is happening in the world (I'm more regionally in tune).

 

[Rath Darkblade]

Well as of a week ago, I'm Old now.

I've been reading and writing history for years and years, so I guess that makes me unofficially Old.

As for this generation, I don't have kids (and only see my nephews and nieces occasionally, when there's a family get-together), so I can't pretend to be an expert -- except on linguistics.

The indiscriminate use of the word "like", at least in my neck of the woods (i.e. "So he was, like" etc. etc.) seems to be on the wane.

On the other hand, this generation seems to have no problem with PDAs (public displays of affection). Neither do I, but when I'm trying to exit the train and go to work, and two people are making out by the door, it can be disconcerting.

Speaking of public transport, I also noticed that the current generation (and older people too) seem to constantly be wearing earphones or noise-cancelling headphones. I have to wonder why. Is everyone so afraid of casual conversation now? Or even noticing what's happening around them? Sure, this is just a continuation of the old MP3 players, iPods, Discmans etc... but surely you would get tired of it eventually (i.e. the strain on your ears would become too much, even with noise-cancelling headphones).

Ah, well. It's just a symptom of this generation physically isolating themselves from each other. As long as they've got their health ... *shrug*

 

[Stuart Dren]

Ah, well. It's just a symptom of this generation physically isolating themselves from each other. As long as they've got their health ... *shrug*

Oh yeah, that's another thing! Nicotine came back with a vengeance. The vape things are kind of sad to see.

 

[Pik]

Where I live smoking was forbidden in the public places in recent years but there are still a lot of folks smoking, mostly older generations (I ocassionally hear that I would save a lot of money if I stopped smoking or drinking). And younger generations travel more than me. I would say they are influenced more by Asian pop culture (K-pop, anime etc) than I was growing up.

 

[Stuart Dren]

Where I live smoking was forbidden in the public places in recent years but there are still a lot of folks smoking, mostly older generations (I ocassionally hear that I would save a lot of money if I stopped smoking or drinking). And younger generations travel more than me. I would say they are influenced more by Asian pop culture (K-pop, anime etc) than I was growing up.

Oh yeah, lots of K and J pop. The travel one is interesting.

Do many people use the vapes where your from? I imagine they're not a hit with the older folk. This is pure anecdote, but I've heard from mothers of high school kids that most of their friends use nicotine vapes.

On the other hand, I think beginning with gen X there's progressively less drinking.

 

[Pik]

Oh yeah, lots of K and J pop. The travel one is interesting.

Do many people use the vapes where your from? I imagine they're not a hit with the older folk. This is pure anecdote, but I've heard from mothers of high school kids that most of their friends use nicotine vapes.

On the other hand, I think beginning with gen X there's progressively less drinking.

Yeah I would say a lot of people switched to vapes because they're allowed in closed spaces such as cafes, but they're not exactly the same thing, I need to buy two packs instead of one for the same amount of nicotine. They're definitely more health-conscious option though.