'Mind the Gap' - Generational Change
By David Boddy
We need our pioneering youth. We need too, our reality stricken seniors. The gap between old and young has never only been a thing of age. Nor, as I believe, has it ever been as tainted as it is now. Education, technology, media and social networking are all examples of what, in recent years, have accentuated the space between generations. Away from any toxicity between us, our society is dependent upon our relationship. We must find trust. And it’s time we listen. Not always to understand. It’s for each generation to aspire and conspire for what they believe in.
The cliche of despising another generation's musical taste, speaks for our progressive nature. Not that ‘progression’ always means improvement — some things get worse before they get better and other things won’t change at all.
Needless to say, the gap is not all bad. With someone to learn from; those we learn for and our own perspective to be shaped — there is a mutual benefit to be had. Any object with more than two dimensions requires a second eye to be appreciated. We can appreciate with greater depth, what we each help one another to see. Our perspectives matter, but when we fail to communicate we’re cross-eyed — we have ‘double vision’ and the subject becomes unclear.
Typically, the young hold a vision of the future. (Jana Shnipelson)
Typically, the young hold a vision of the future. They dream big but can be limited in their abilities, financially and executively. Not short of passion but often stunted by ignorance, frequently bold and outspoken. We need pioneers. No one has seen our future...Our seniors have, of course, been young before. They’ve gained knowledge and insight. Having had a taste for how the world works, they’re often full of concern. We need teachers. Those who have seen our past and made the same mistakes…
“History repeats itself” we’re so often reminded. I suppose it does, but no one wants to fall behind and this life can often feel like a race.
We’re always adapting. To technology and a society that functions with it. Coming to see the world on a global scale, with travel and communication linking the continents. And now, a global pandemic. History may repeat but that's no excuse to live in the past.
Young and old are powerful in union. Only, I fear the gaps between generations are opening.
I ran into a dispute the other day between two guys — one older and one younger.
“Where’s your mask?” The older man said.
There was no reply.
“...You’ll be sorry when you’re dying of it!” He added as his parting blow.
“Fuck off!” Came the response of the younger man, in a very non-cooperative manner.
Having had one ear on the commotion, I ran back out in front of the store once the dispute had turned physical. After the two had been separated, the young lady who was out shopping with her partner insisted that the older man made the first strike. I spoke to the older gent once the couple was out of sight:
“It’s not our job to go after these people,” I said.
“Well, the police aren’t doing anything about it!” He replied.
“No. But when people start policing… then we have a real problem.” I added. He seemed to agree.
Personally, I fail to see how war between mask wearers and non-mask wearers will settle anything. One thing is for sure and that’s that it won’t contain the spread of a virus. I have no doubt that what happened outside that store the other day will be happening all over the country, perhaps worldwide. Lack of common ground has seen communication take a back seat to violence and hostility. In a world so full of media, what we consume is beginning to define us. There are people in my life who consume little to no media. Equally, I have those who await every notified update. In most cases, their differences are surface level. Strikingly, their differences are generational.
As the younger generations (not solely) break their faith from the corporate media, they find refuge in smaller, up-and-coming news channels. Or indeed, they fall out of information altogether and fall off the scene. Worse, they rely on falsified information and independent source biases.
Equally, older generations (as a generalization) are in many cases, glued to media sources that are fast becoming outdated. Their use of fear tactics and selective headlines keeps their audience returning for all the wrong reasons and tears them ever further from the cross-generation communication and cooperation that our society pivots upon. The ‘gap’ has always been there. I’d like to make it known. Not as a topic of conflict but as leverage for discussion, education and forward-thinking.
Lets all ‘mind the gap’ — we don’t want to fight.
David is a lifestyle writer for La Tonique.
