Sensitivity and younger generations

[Erebus]

I'm past 30 now and will admit to sometimes being baffled by what younger people find offensive. I've a ways to go before I'm past 40 though and will admit to sometimes being baffled by what older people find offensive. Half the time, I'm baffled by what my own age group finds offensive.

What is or isn't offensive is subject to both one's personal values and societal trends, both of which tend to change over the course of a person's life. While it's certainly true that some people are more easily offended than others, I think this is just a human quirk rather than a generational one.

Ultimately, you're much more likely to see another person's capacity to be offended as trivial if you don't share their values. That can easily translate into people thinking, "Well my group was never so sensitive. We only got offended by real problems."

 

[epronovost]

You actually make an interesting point. For instance the older generations would be more sensitive to being disrespected or people challenging their religion or tradition.

Younger generations are also much more open about talking about sexuality and much more open to less traditional sexual practices. Old time curse words have also lost a lot of their taboo nature. They don't really care the ****, ****, *****, ***** and dicks of the world. Ethnic and sexual slurs are the new taboos while before they were just casual expression of racism, sexism and homophobia. Blasphemy is another point where older generation were more sensitive about, but that holds very little importance amongst younger people. There are indeed some difference at that level, but I think they are often overblown.

I would say that the gap between generation isn't so much about what's offensive and what is not. It's not even on how offensive things are treated. What keeps surprising older people is how much power was given to ordinary people, "the mob", through social media and modern means of communication to push back on things they perceive as offensive. Back in the days, when someone was seeing something offensive of TV, all they could do was shout at the screen for their home and maybe write a letter or make a phone call to the production office and most people who are offended won't do that if only because it takes too much time and it's too personnal. Now, you can write a post on numerous social media platform in complete anonimity and easily find entire communities of people who are just as offended as you are. People aren't "more offended" we simply hear offended people better and any media production reaches far more people than they used to.

 

[Stevicus]

Lol I realise that I have heard all these “usual suspects” of US politics (both sides) basically all my life thanks to media and never really seen even a pic of them. Like Pelosi or is it Steve Bannon, is that the guy? I was surprised when first saw Bernie and Biden, if I’m honest. Like these lefty/liberal champions are old as bones lol

Yep. And the icons which liberal Boomers liked back in the day were also of the older generations (such as JFK and RFK).

I feel bad for him honestly. I know people who are conspiracy theorists (not to the extent of Q Anon though) and they’re not bad people. They might be a bit “eccentric” but they are genuine people. The Q cult and very hardcore Trumpers (I don’t mean people who simply voted for him, for the record) are just equal parts baffling and upsetting for me. Because it’s one thing to hold differing political opinions or even believe a conspiracy theory. But there seems a literal split from family and sometimes friends. That can’t be healthy, regardless of age. That’s just my outsider opinion though

Sometimes people can get stubborn over politics. However, I've noticed a difference between what people get upset over in real life versus over the internet. It's just like the difference between a private conversation as opposed to how people act when they believe there's an audience watching them. I attribute most internet rhetoric and social media to people performing for the cameras.

Agreed. I do acknowledge that I am in my own echo chambers via “BreadTube” (various left leaning YT channels. Mostly American if I’m honest but there’s a couple “Brit Bongers” as well.)
A large part of that is the algorithm which is specifically designed to give you content tailored to your Google and YT/Twitch etc history.

I rarely have the patience to sit through videos.

Interesting. I guess thanks to media/movies/tv I always assumed the 60s were full of hippies and social upheaval. But that might not be entirely accurate. Also what is NIMBY?

Well, the 60s were full of hippies and social upheaval, but there were also a lot of other people around as well - the "silent majority" as Nixon called them.

NIMBY is an acronym meaning "Not In My Back Yard." Basically, the 1980s version of a "snowflake."

 

[Shadow Wolf]

My own parents were born in the 1930s, during the Depression. My grandparents also told of difficult times while growing up. While there's the old joke about "when I was a kid, I had to walk to school barefoot in the snow," it surely was no picnic for any of my grandparents while growing up. But by the time my parents had come of age in the 1950s, things were getting better in America. I still remember the Moon landings, although I didn't really start to become more politically aware until the 70s. I learned quickly, though, particularly when Watergate was the big issue of the day. I wasn't around when the Vietnam War started, but I saw it on TV when it ended. But I also became aware of the Cold War, the possibility of nuclear war - with a lot of end-of-the-world movies being prevalent at the time. I suppose for my particular age group, the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979-81 was one of the early eye-opening events which might have changed many people's view of America and the world. A lot of people thought Carter was too weak and that Reagan was tough and would be more ready to kick butt.

Another generational difference which should not go unnoticed is that during the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, the crime rate was much, much higher than it has been in the past 20-25 years. There were no cellphones, and hardly the same level of video surveillance or other security measures which have been more ubiquitous in recent years. This was another thing that people were getting fed up with, accompanied by increasing criticism of "bleeding heart liberals" who favored rehabilitation and treatment. They thought the liberals were too soft on crime. That's when neighborhood watches became more popular, along with TV shows like Cops. Reagan also escalated and doubled down on the War on Drugs. He also signed a bill which tied federal highway funds to raising state drinking ages to 21. School campuses also became more restricted.

I think that's one thing I noticed more and more during the 80s and 90s, the idea that "we must protect our children at all costs." Not that there's anything wrong with that idea, in and of itself, but it was manifested in ways which didn't really exist when I was younger. Or at least, there weren't the kinds of restrictions and limitations that kids who came later had to deal with.

You forgot HIV/AIDs. I even remember a PSA about it during a Saturday morning cartoon bloc.
The crime thing I forgot about, even Clinton signed the three strikes law. And some staticians have attributed the decrease in crime to Roe v Wade.
Amd we did have cell phones in the 80s. Amd car phones. I used to think they were the same thing, lol.

 

[Secret Chief]

Judas Priest

I reckon that satanic thing was just a diversionary tactic from what would really offend those people.

 

[Samael_Khan]

Younger generations are also much more open about talking about sexuality and much more open to less traditional sexual practices. Old time curse words have also lost a lot of their taboo nature. They don't really care the ****, ****, *****, ***** and dicks of the world. Ethnic and sexual slurs are the new taboos while before they were just casual expression of racism, sexism and homophobia. Blasphemy is another point where older generation were more sensitive about, but that holds very little importance amongst younger people. There are indeed some difference at that level, but I think they are often overblown.

I would say that the gap between generation isn't so much about what's offensive and what is not. It's not even on how offensive things are treated. What keeps surprising older people is how much power was given to ordinary people, "the mob", through social media and modern means of communication to push back on things they perceive as offensive. Back in the days, when someone was seeing something offensive of TV, all they could do was shout at the screen for their home and maybe write a letter or make a phone call to the production office and most people who are offended won't do that if only because it takes too much time and it's too personnal. Now, you can write a post on numerous social media platform in complete anonimity and easily find entire communities of people who are just as offended as you are. People aren't "more offended" we simply hear offended people better and any media production reaches far more people than they used to.

This is a good point.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I remembered how I sometimes put it: I come in during the last few verses of We Didn't Start the Fire.

My own parents were born in the 1930s, during the Depression.

I don't know when my dads parents were born. My mom's were born in 1908 (mom) and 1911 (dad).

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I reckon that satanic thing was just a diversionary tactic from what would really offend those people.

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I've always wondered and have never understood how no one involved in their "controversy" and believing it was real never seemed to stop and think what artist wants their audience dead? If Judas Priest fans kill themselves, wouldn't this bring those like Alice Cooper, AC/DC, Def Leppard, bands who themselves would also be losing fans to a plot of mass suicide. Don't you think they would have said something?

 

[Secret Chief]

I've always wondered and have never understood how no one involved in their "controversy" and believing it was real never seemed to stop and think what artist wants their audience dead? If Judas Priest fans kill themselves, wouldn't this bring those like Alice Cooper, AC/DC, Def Leppard, bands who themselves would also be losing fans to a plot of mass suicide. Don't you think they would have said something?

Hard to think when you're foaming at the mouth.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Amd I'll just say it:
Tipper Gore is one of the biggest snowflakes out their, and she apparently has a very dirty mind.
I don't really know/care what year she was born though.

 

[Kooky]

I would say that the gap between generation isn't so much about what's offensive and what is not. It's not even on how offensive things are treated. What keeps surprising older people is how much power was given to ordinary people, "the mob", through social media and modern means of communication to push back on things they perceive as offensive. Back in the days, when someone was seeing something offensive of TV, all they could do was shout at the screen for their home and maybe write a letter or make a phone call to the production office and most people who are offended won't do that if only because it takes too much time and it's too personnal. Now, you can write a post on numerous social media platform in complete anonimity and easily find entire communities of people who are just as offended as you are. People aren't "more offended" we simply hear offended people better and any media production reaches far more people than they used to.

There were powerful civic organizations in the US that had quite a lot of clout at times, enough to e.g. create entire moral panics out of whole cloth, suppress all mention of interracial couples or homosexuality on US television for a while, suppress information on abortion and family planning, and generally keep young adults in the dark about crucial aspects of adult life for the sake of promoting the most lifeless, bigoted form of religious conservativism.

 

[Kooky]

It seems like the conservatives and progressives exist for essential reasons. Progressives make society move forward but conservatives exist to make sure that the don't stray too far.

Just imagine how terrible it would be if our society became too free, or too bearable for minorities.

 

[Stevicus]

You forgot HIV/AIDs. I even remember a PSA about it during a Saturday morning cartoon bloc.
The crime thing I forgot about, even Clinton signed the three strikes law. And some staticians have attributed the decrease in crime to Roe v Wade.
Amd we did have cell phones in the 80s. Amd car phones. I used to think they were the same thing, lol.

A few people had car phones in the 80s, but not many.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

A few people had car phones in the 80s, but not many.

I only ever saw them in TV.

 

[SomeRandom]

Yep. And the icons which liberal Boomers liked back in the day were also of the older generations (such as JFK and RFK).

Interesting. I guess the stereotype of being “left/liberal” is that it’s a youth thing. But reality rarely lives up to that stereotype. Maybe that’s changing on social media. I dunno
But even now in lefty spaces the “e celebs” are legitimately older than a lot of their audiences. Not by that much, but they’re at least post college age, as you Americans would say

Sometimes people can get stubborn over politics. However, I've noticed a difference between what people get upset over in real life versus over the internet. It's just like the difference between a private conversation as opposed to how people act when they believe there's an audience watching them. I attribute most internet rhetoric and social media to people performing for the cameras.

Good point
It’s like hyperbole is being more and more concentrated.
Although I am still slightly concerned by the very hardcore Trumpers. I get cult vibes from them.

I rarely have the patience to sit through videos.

Well I often have them on as background noise. I’ve recently gotten into puzzles. Weirdly find it relaxing and even do it whilst drinking. I like to have my streamers speaking in the background as I do my puzzle.

Well, the 60s were full of hippies and social upheaval, but there were also a lot of other people around as well - the "silent majority" as Nixon called them.

Hmm. I suppose. It’s easier to condense a bygone time period than see it in depth. Especially when you’re young and most of your information of that era comes from media depictions.
Or sometimes even media depictions paying nostalgic homage to them.(That 70s show or Happy Days.)
Lol as a little kid I legit thought That 70s Show was from the 70s and Happy Days was from the 50s.

NIMBY is an acronym meaning "Not In My Back Yard." Basically, the 1980s version of a "snowflake."

Ahh, I see.

 

[Samael_Khan]

Just imagine how terrible it would be if our society became too free, or too bearable for minorities.

You assume that that is all progressives would do. Socialism is progressive for instance but there is a way that socialism works positively and a way that its adherents could become totalitarian. Stalin's Russia is an example. What is seen as progress does not always equal being more free.

And I am not talking about American conservatives here. They are pretty backward.

 

[Kooky]

You assume that that is all progressives would do. Socialism is progressive for instance but there is a way that socialism works positively and a way that its adherents could become totalitarian. Stalin's Russia is an example. What is seen as progress does not always equal being more free.

And I am not talking about American conservatives here. They are pretty backward.

This argument has been used to justify countless acts of oppression and violence against political dissidents throughout the world. How do more rights for minorities and fewer opportunities to oppress and discriminate against people not equal more freedom for everyone?

For the record, Stalin did not start out as a progressive, he started out as a political radical who organized bank robberies in order to support the Bolsheviks living in exile from Czarist persecution. There was nothing about Stalin's political methods that would have put him even in the vicinity of contemporary progressivism, let alone modern social liberalism or social democracy.

 

[Stevicus]

Interesting. I guess the stereotype of being “left/liberal” is that it’s a youth thing. But reality rarely lives up to that stereotype. Maybe that’s changing on social media. I dunno
But even now in lefty spaces the “e celebs” are legitimately older than a lot of their audiences. Not by that much, but they’re at least post college age, as you Americans would say

I've often heard the saying "If you're not liberal at age 20, you have no heart. If you're not conservative by age 30, you have no brain." On the other hand, youth are often chided as being more gullible, more easily led, and more vulnerable to peer pressure.

Good point
It’s like hyperbole is being more and more concentrated.
Although I am still slightly concerned by the very hardcore Trumpers. I get cult vibes from them.

I don't think they're a cult. They're just far-right conservative traditionalists. 100 years ago, they would have been considered "mainstream." That's where a lot of liberals and youth can seem confused, because they react as if the alt-right is something that just popped in out of nowhere, as if it's brand new and something never seen before.

Well I often have them on as background noise. I’ve recently gotten into puzzles. Weirdly find it relaxing and even do it whilst drinking. I like to have my streamers speaking in the background as I do my puzzle.

Usually, if someone posts a video, I'd rather just read a short synopsis.

Hmm. I suppose. It’s easier to condense a bygone time period than see it in depth. Especially when you’re young and most of your information of that era comes from media depictions.
Or sometimes even media depictions paying nostalgic homage to them.(That 70s show or Happy Days.)
Lol as a little kid I legit thought That 70s Show was from the 70s and Happy Days was from the 50s.

I watched Happy Days in the 70s - at least the first few seasons. It started going in a different direction and started getting boring though. I never did watch That 70s Show. Happy Days came out on the heels of the success of the film American Graffiti, which was actually set in 1962, but still had the flavor of the 50s about it. It was when the Boomers were still in high school - carefree and innocent - before the tumult and political upheaval that they would see in the coming years. By the time the movie came out in 1973, America had changed drastically. By the way, Happy Days wasn't the only 50s revival show around that time. There was another show called Sons and Daughters, as well as a variety show called "Sha-Na-Na." But disco was also a thing at the time.

 

[Stevicus]

I only ever saw them in TV.

People watching the 1983 movie Wargames might get the idea that it was a common thing for a high school kid to have his own computer, modem, VCR and TV in his room. But most kids at that time would not have had that kind of a set-up, unless they came from a very wealthy family.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I am in my 80's
We have at last started to get around to correcting some social wrongs that my generation had to put up with, like it or not.

The younger generations have grown up at a time when they can demand that we respect the new laws and social norms.

There is no reason at all why any one should put up with abuse of any sort.
In many ways they are as tough as us, as they are not slow in speaking out when things backslide.
That is the only way that the new reality will become ingrained in the way every one thinks and behaves.