Getting old

[steve B]

Didn't intend for that to be so long. Ah well....

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by steve B

Didn't intend for that to be so long. Ah well....

Nah, totally enjoyed reading.

You mentioned about so many things today are different and just taken for granted. Think of all the choices in restaurants today. Even 25 years ago, in most parts of the country you would be hard pressed to find anything even closely resembling real asian or other ethnic food, or to even find ingredients to make non US food in the supermarket. I remember even a few years ago people started going gaga over avocados, like someone just invented them.

I would never argue that everything is great today. Modern culture has a lot of garbage elements. Mostly the obsessive "look at me" nonsense on social media. No, no one cares what you had for breakfast today. They really don't. And it's not important. But being around my kids and their friends doesn't fill me with despair like it apparently does for many older folks. I see a lot of great things in the current generation that give me great hope. And there is so much amazing art in so many areas. The only depressing thing is when I see some insane you artist and realize they weren't born yet when I was already from school and already years into my career.

[Peter_Spaeth]

It's a timeless phenomenon. I am reminded of Herman Hesse's Steppenwolf, where the narrator, a classical music purist, cannot adapt to the music (and mores) of the Jazz Age -- or can he?

And of my Dad, also a classical purist, who HATED the music my brothers and I listened to, which happened to be the classic rock of the 60s and early 70s. He never did get it, thought it all sounded the same.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It's a timeless phenomenon. I am reminded of Herman Hesse's Steppenwolf, where the narrator, a classical music purist, cannot adapt to the music (and mores) of the Jazz Age -- or can he?

And of my Dad, also a classical purist, who HATED the music my brothers and I listened to, which happened to be the classic rock of the 60s and early 70s. He never did get it, thought it all sounded the same.

Loved Herman Hesse in college. Read 5 or 6 of his books. Always wanted to go back and reread one or two but haven't had a chance.

[Snapolit1]

Maybe the moral of the story is you need to stayed wired into younger people. Easily done if you have kids.

When I go to my folks winter community in Florida is always stunning to sit around the pool and hear Doris Day and Bobby Darin. Both wonderful artists but a bit dated at this point.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Nah, totally enjoyed reading.

You mentioned about so many things today are different and just taken for granted. Think of all the choices in restaurants today. Even 25 years ago, in most parts of the country you would be hard pressed to find anything even closely resembling real asian or other ethnic food, or to even find ingredients to make non US food in the supermarket. I remember even a few years ago people started going gaga over avocados, like someone just invented them.

I would never argue that everything is great today. Modern culture has a lot of garbage elements. Mostly the obsessive "look at me" nonsense on social media. No, no one cares what you had for breakfast today. They really don't. And it's not important. But being around my kids and their friends doesn't fill me with despair like it apparently does for many older folks. I see a lot of great things in the current generation that give me great hope. And there is so much amazing art in so many areas. The only depressing thing is when I see some insane you artist and realize they weren't born yet when I was already from school and already years into my career.

It's funny about the food.
I live in a smallish city with a fairly large Asian population. There are tons of choices, to the point that it's a bit difficult to find an old fashioned non-chain non-trendy place that serves typical "american" food. If I want a nice normal burger, I'm mostly out of luck. If I want a burger made from cattle fed in some cattle shangri-la with goat cheese, free range organic bacon etc, I can get it. But it would pretty much blow the fun budget for the month.

I'm amazed at the stuff the kids have easy access to, and how well it's explained.
A few years ago my oldest was watching science videos. One night she asked
"Daddy.. tell me about... (as I'm thinking oh C___ here comes the question I'll try to dodge and defer to mom... )
Quantum Physics..

Wasn't expecting that.

So tonight I sent her a cartoon I saw on facebook. A vetrinarian coming into the waiting room saying "Mr Schroedinger I have good news and bad news about your cat"
And she totally got the joke.

At 10 the jokes I got were more likely to be three stooges, or something.

A different world for sure.

[tschock]

Great comments so far and a fun read!

I'm not sure I would define it as a rut as much as 'set in your ways'. And either way I wouldn't necessary give it a negative connotation. If you've always been constantly on the lookout for new things, then is that your "rut"? Parents who "still go on adventures", implying it is something they've done previously (and probably frequently), sounds like they are in a "rut" as well. Am I in a rut because I've always, and continue to, question more than I answer? Probably.

I think the real problematic rut is not questioning everything on what you think or believe. It doesn't mean you automatically give up what you believe, but at least critically question it. And on a regular basis. Because memory is a funny thing. We reminisce about the good old days because well, remembering the good makes us feel good. We look forward for the future, but only as it pertains to something positive. Which helps explain the popularity of the 'good old days' network as well as the 'what if / prognostication' network. Sans trauma, that's what we do.

New music does suck, but so does old music. It's just that we don't (subconsciously) remember all the crappy stuff we listened to. And who chooses to re-listen to the crap when there was good stuff to re-listen to? And old good stuff to still be discovered. Isn't that 'new' music to the discoverer?

That said:

• I love listening and being turned on to new music. Though auto-tuning will always suck.
  
• The home run derby baseball is for the instant gratification crowd. But there are few plays in baseball more exiting than the triple. Especially with men on base.
  
• Regarding instant gratification, the microwave still takes too long.
  
• I would watch Teen Titans Go! whether or not my grandson is there.
  
• As a small L libertarian, I don't get the negative connotation of 'get off my lawn' when used by other libertarians.
  
• As we get older, it's not as much a rut as 'I don't give an F what others think', evidenced by wearing black socks with sandals.
  
• Not everything is shit. But 90% of it is. Or at least it's crud. Would that include 90% of change as well?

[TedWill1939]

Great topic and thoughts!

I'm 45 and over the pandemic picked up skateboarding again with my son, after 20 yrs of not skating. He picked it up fast and fearless. I can't do what I once did but I'm having a great time. Wih that I'm getting back into music that I listened to years ago, but took a back burner. While its rehashing the past, it is getting out of the day to day mindset.

The small town that I live in is going through major gentrifictaion, kicked into overdrive by NYC people fleeing the city. Change is real hard for locals, myself included. Slow change is meaningful and lasting. Most people accept and adapt. Being steam rolled by quick progression can leave people bitter and angry. There are some institutions and "old ways" that are worth perserving and passing down that link us as a community. Throwing the baby out with the bath water creates division.

That said, I hope the younger generation reject the nonsense internet junk. It has done a lot of damage to people across generations. I think the children will be pissed that mommy and daddy shared there whole life on facebook.

[Seven]

Steve,

While I'm a few years younger, I did find some of what you said very relatable. While I'm only in my third decade of life, I do notice that it becomes a little bit harder to throw myself into a new band or musical artist, or start a new hobby. Even being a young man, I'm much more prone to stick to the hobbies or music I'm apart of rather than try something new.

Even with sports, my childhood was not too long ago, but I used to be able to faithfully keep up with every player, both on the teams I followed and around the leagues? Now I can barely keep track. I know some of the rookies sure, but as time goes on and more responsibilities come up it becomes harder.

I've talked to my parents about this along with a group of older gentleman who I have coffee with frequently. They speak a lot about finding joy in the things they already love, living through the younger members of their family's or rediscovering hobbies they may have dropped a long the way. I think it's very easy to get "stuck in our ways" for certain things, and sure it's difficult to keep things interesting, but if there's one thing the older generations tell me to do is never stop learning and enjoying life. I think I'm rambling a little bit though!

Back to the point at hand, many of them still go to concerts or games. Sure it's different but I think that's the point. It's fun to reminisce and think about how things once were, and sure there are things that we would love if they never changed, but change is a part of life. An important part that will always happen. While difficult you can find the joy and love in the things you once did or still do even if they become a little different. Gradual change is a little bit easier to handle than rapid one, that's the one thing that I think is troubling about certain things today. In the internet age, everything changes so quickly. One day something is happening and then the next we are onto something new.

However I do think all of us will have our moments where we are the "old man yells at cloud"

[Snapolit1]

I guess do what makes you happy, and don't care if someone else thinks you are too old to do it.

I remember a few years ago my wife wanted to see Bruno Mars for her birthday. Sure I knew who he was. I figured we'd be the oldest people there and it would suck. Instead there were people there from 80 to 8, and he was tremendous. Was a great experience and I'm glad we went and I didn't think "oh jeez, I'm too old for that."

[steve B]

Ramble away James. You'll find no complaints from me

I like some "new" bands, or at least new music from sort of new bands.
The last concerts I went to were Experience Hendrix - lots of great guitar players plus Billy Cox, who was doing autographs in the lobby before and after.
And Halestorm before that.

My source of info about new rock groups is gone... WAAF got bought and somewhat suddenly changed into a christian contemporary station during it's 50th anniversary year.