Thursday, June 12, 2014, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)
For the next meeting, we will continue our discussion on Generational Legacy. There were a lot of ideas in the last meeting. I was touched by John H. having a discussion with his children about how they felt about the problems they are inheriting from our generation, particularly climate change. They answered that did not blame our generation and it was up to their generation to solve the problem. Would your children have said the same?
So what was the idea that was raised in our meeting that caught your attention? Was there an idea that you that was not brought up that should have?
What makes our group unique is that the topic is known ahead of time to give members a chance to prepare. So please share your thoughts with the others members by commenting on the blog. I consider this month's theme to be very important, so I will commit to adding a comment every day until the next meeting. So please check back when you can to participate in this online discussion.
Note: If you are having problems posting a comment, like your comment disappearing after you click the Publish Button, it may be because the security setting on your browser may be too tight. I know this to be true for the Safari Browser on the Mac. There are ways to fix this without changing your security setting, so please email me and I can get you going.
Last night I watched a program about the 70th anniversary of D-Day on NBC which followed the stories of 4 veterans of the invasion. Their comments were insightful and powerful enough to refine some thoughts and opinions of my own. In addition the graphics were inspiring and the storytelling professional. Were any Millenials watching?, GenX? GenY? Is the transfer of legacy across generations best done by professional filmmakers and authors?
ReplyDeleteI did not see the NBC special, but I did see this old episode of "Secrets of the Dead" on Amazon Instant Video, D-Day, which examined the technology that was used on D-Day. I think the younger generation may find that aspect more relevant to the battles that they will face. You can find a free version of this episode on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV6g-yQxWmo
DeleteHere is a HuffPost article about the generational implications of Normandy, The Greatest Generation and the Stunted Generation
DeleteI wonder if the young give any thought to the battles they will face. Media makes sure we know about the battles that we have faced and are facing. DOD must make plans to support their budget requests but is the younger generation following the budget battles in Congress? It's been publicized that the Navy has given Fleet designation to their cyberwarriors and is ramping up. Is it possible the next generation of warriors will mostly engage the enemy electronically. I hope so.
ReplyDeleteApparently that 'Secrets of the Dead" episode was updated for the 70th anniversary using more current technology into the PBS special - http://www.pbs.org/program/d-day-360/. To this day the numbers of personnel involved, casualties, and war dead by country change with each retelling.
Thanks for the link; the PBS episode, which emphasized management by numbers, was very interesting but it was not just an update the Secrets of the Dead episode, which emphasized innovation. I think that innovation will be the most important factor in the lives of the younger generation.
DeleteArguably, the Normandy Invasion was the defining event for the Greatest Generation. I wonder what will be the defining event for our generation.
DeleteApparently, the Office of Aging in Howard County is considering more intergenerational activities. There was a question about this in the survey for the County's 20 year Master Plan for the Aging Population. What do you think? Would you be interested in intergenerational activities sponsored by the county?
ReplyDeleteA few months ago I participated in an intergenerational program sponsored by CA -- high school students came to the East Columbia Center to teach seniors how to use IPads and similar electronic devices. The students were smart and very patient. I asked several students about their involvement and they responded that they looked forward to coming. We needed more seniors. Those who came seemed to benefit.
DeleteI fear that most County sponsored intergenerational programs are students helping seniors. I hope to see programs which are mutually beneficial.
DeleteHere is something to consider when giving advice on how to earn a livelihood.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were children we were told to work hard and strive to be the best in our chosen profession. But as young adults we were told, it not what you do that counts but what you know. Then in the middle of our careers, we were told, it's not what you know, but who you know. Now the new advice is, it's not who you know, but who knows you.
Do you agree and does this help to explain why the young spend sop much time in Facebook.
I have three grandchildren, two in high school and one a freshman in college. They have a very different lifestyle then I had. They will face a very different world than those of our generation. Discussing the future with them is still awkward for me and I suppose for them as well. In a recent casual conversation with my granddaughter, who is a college freshman, I asked what concerns her most. She answered privacy. After some discussion I realized she was talking about Internet privacy. My background revolved around spatial privacy-- sharing a bed, sharing a bedroom, sharing a bathroom and so on. I realized I and often others our generation are talking a very different language than the younger generations, especially those of school age.
ReplyDeleteA few questions come to mind that like to get your perspective on:
• Have you asked, or have you been told by younger generation persons what their problems and concerns are? If so, what are they?
• Have you had any “big surprises” in your educational experience that altered your thinking and approach to getting an education?
• Has your educational life and career proceeded according to plan? If so why? If not why?
• What lessons have you learned as you have gone to life that you would like to pass on to the younger generation?
• If you were to address a group of youngsters of high school age what counsel would you offer them on preparing for their future?
What are your thoughts about inter-generational discussion? Is it possible and worthwhile?
I was surprised to hear that your granddaughter was concern about privacy. After all this is the Facebook generation, which shares everything. So in spite of generational stereo type, individuals have their own preferences, which is true for all generations.
DeleteWe need to encourage the younger generation to participate in all elections, not just the presidential. This is one area where they need to emulate the seniors. Elections have consequences and we will continue to suffer from the redistricting that resulted from the 2010 election which had poor participation from the young.
ReplyDeleteThe younger generation is much like the older generation in a least one way, both generations are getting unhealthier. In the past, one's health was a personal or family matter. Now we have a health situation that has become a community or even global crisis. Could this be something that the generations can work on together?
ReplyDelete