Controversial Political Opinions

[David Horn]

(05-21-2022, 03:38 AM)Eric the Green Wrote:

(05-20-2022, 04:56 PM)David Horn Wrote: Boomers are a lot of things, but a paragon of virtue is not one of them.  In fact, we're a totally bifurcated generation, split solidly between all the political and social paradigms.  The far right and far left are about equal.  The same can be said of the Born Again v. Whatever-constitutes-the-opposite.  We're not Prophets.  We're more of a bridge ... or several.  Word to all the younger generations: don't look to us for guidance.  You'll get far too much of it and it will all be conflicting.  Follow your own drummer.

Certainly a good description and advice. However, I have known a whole lot of Boomers who could be described as prophets. It does seem to fit our role, and we have filled it. Of course, I am one. But, we have not made a mark that's any better than other generations, despite our initial fame. And of course, there are a lot of Boomers who are not prophets. Being in the SF Bay Area, I am certainly liable to meet a lot more Boomer prophets than one would meet in rural Virginia. And one can be a prophet, and not be a good one, in many ways. Evangelical believers are almost certainly prophets in outlook, but not good ones IMO.

I'd say those of us who are good prophets should fulfill our role and give guidance now. It is needed if humans are to survive as a civilization.  That might be realistic advice based on experience, or it might be leadership in a moral crusade. Both might be needed now.

Here's the rub.  We're considered overbearing and/or whiney, so any advice we give or direction we offer may produce the exact opposite of what we intend.  Then again, failure to offer any guarantees that counter-advice will be unopposed.  It's a conundrum.

I actually used my 17-year-old grandchildren as a triple sounding board.  For background, the two girls are dissimilar, each mirroring one of their parents, and the boy is laid back but brilliant.  In other words, they are as diverse as I can find in a small sample.  All three have very progressive views but live in a sea of Trumpist Republicans.  Their advice: Ask and answer questions and leave it there.  Don't be pushy, but don't be a rug either. Let others decide for themselves.  Assume the worst.

Let's agree that 17-year-olds lack perspective, so this "advice" needs to be tempered by that.  Yet in the end, they may be right.  Their group (Millennial/Gen-Z cuspers) don't trust anyone or anything, but they seem to trust each other.  Is that enough?  Good question.