I usually don’t comment, but I’m in my 20s and the “kids aren’t as tough these days” thesis has always made sense to me - even back in high school. Since I could write ~100,000 words on this, I’ll try to keep my comment (relatively) brief, but it was a pet peeve of mine that back in college (at the beginning of the phase Haidt and Lukianoff describe in Coddling of the American Mind) my peers used to say, “I just can’t deal” all the time. Usually about things to which I thought the proper response was, “Yes, you actually can deal with it!” And even ten years ago there was already some social status to be gained by telling other people you had some sort of mental health problem (usually depression or anxiety), like it made you different and cool.
Relatedly, I find that many people my age (and especially younger) struggle with boredom and can’t find ways to occupy their time. From very early childhood (probably thanks to my parents), I’ve been the opposite: I can always find something useful to occupy my time and find I have more that I want to accomplish than I have time to do (which perhaps makes me less interested in video games/tv/social media).
That game on Saturday was terrible. As usual, I’ll root for UVA to go all the way in March Madness but I’m not optimistic.
As a retiree I do find some boredom occasionally, then I just think back to commuting into an office. Reminds me of an old quote: " I think about exercising once in a while, then lie down for a nap until the thought goes away."
Another aspect of upcoming generations ( Z and Millennial) is cancelling people from your life. I've been the recipient of that treatment.
I'm sorry that you've been on the receiving end of it--but this is one practice I fully support. There are some toxic people in this world, and while the bonds of family and friendship are important--they are also signal amplifiers of that toxicity.
True and I apply that , after a fashion, with forum posters who don't read what you've written and merely spew stuff to trigger people. In my case I think it has more to do with childhood experiences of one daughter-in-law, her very "woke" outlook and possibly some narcissism. The two of us are quite similar politically.
My version is of my dad, who was up by 5am regardless of what else was going on in the world, barging in to my room at some time after the sun came up - stating with a loud voice, "You're sleeping your life away!" and would wait until I extracted myself from the rack and showed some kind of movement. I did not, and still don't, enjoy the mornings. As a side note to the opening of your post, I am often accused of "having too many hobbies" and being surrounded by half finished projects. Guilty as charged. I don't know if it is dark or what, but I don't so much see it as having too many hobbies as not having enough time. I don't think I should become too bored - I hope not.
"First prize, brand new Cadillac. Second prize, set of steak knives. Third prize, you're fired."
I agree, Bryan, I don't think I will ever get bored. With reading, writing, walking, doing, seeing, wondering.
Beautiful essay, as always.
Thank you, Russell
Don't know if you have access to the Atlantic but you might find this interesting.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/04/us-navy-oceanic-trade-impact-russia-china/673090/
I read it in draft!
I usually don’t comment, but I’m in my 20s and the “kids aren’t as tough these days” thesis has always made sense to me - even back in high school. Since I could write ~100,000 words on this, I’ll try to keep my comment (relatively) brief, but it was a pet peeve of mine that back in college (at the beginning of the phase Haidt and Lukianoff describe in Coddling of the American Mind) my peers used to say, “I just can’t deal” all the time. Usually about things to which I thought the proper response was, “Yes, you actually can deal with it!” And even ten years ago there was already some social status to be gained by telling other people you had some sort of mental health problem (usually depression or anxiety), like it made you different and cool.
Relatedly, I find that many people my age (and especially younger) struggle with boredom and can’t find ways to occupy their time. From very early childhood (probably thanks to my parents), I’ve been the opposite: I can always find something useful to occupy my time and find I have more that I want to accomplish than I have time to do (which perhaps makes me less interested in video games/tv/social media).
That game on Saturday was terrible. As usual, I’ll root for UVA to go all the way in March Madness but I’m not optimistic.
As a retiree I do find some boredom occasionally, then I just think back to commuting into an office. Reminds me of an old quote: " I think about exercising once in a while, then lie down for a nap until the thought goes away."
Another aspect of upcoming generations ( Z and Millennial) is cancelling people from your life. I've been the recipient of that treatment.
I'm sorry that you've been on the receiving end of it--but this is one practice I fully support. There are some toxic people in this world, and while the bonds of family and friendship are important--they are also signal amplifiers of that toxicity.
True and I apply that , after a fashion, with forum posters who don't read what you've written and merely spew stuff to trigger people. In my case I think it has more to do with childhood experiences of one daughter-in-law, her very "woke" outlook and possibly some narcissism. The two of us are quite similar politically.
The 10am rule, wow.
Every now and then, I am able to access those memories....
My version is of my dad, who was up by 5am regardless of what else was going on in the world, barging in to my room at some time after the sun came up - stating with a loud voice, "You're sleeping your life away!" and would wait until I extracted myself from the rack and showed some kind of movement. I did not, and still don't, enjoy the mornings. As a side note to the opening of your post, I am often accused of "having too many hobbies" and being surrounded by half finished projects. Guilty as charged. I don't know if it is dark or what, but I don't so much see it as having too many hobbies as not having enough time. I don't think I should become too bored - I hope not.
If you get bored, you can always call your Wahoo friend and bitch along with him.
Bored or not, I shall reserve that privilege...and to you as well.