I grew up in a family that always stressed listening to your elders. One byproduct of that was listening to them say stop complaining, everything gets better when you are older. There was some real truth to that. Though I will say I look back on past years with much fondness and many regrets that have made my present and future life prospects positive. Thanks for the article.
My dad has always said his best life was 40-50. I’ve been embracing that mindset. And anyways, while my 20s was fun, I was a total numpty, had no money, and had a failing business. 30s could only be better
Adam, this was really good. It’s hard, as someone who is young, because you are fed that you must take these big risks and make them big jumps while you are young because after 30 you are cooked. It’s easy to listen to the crowd but only listen to the crowd, if you want to be a part of the crowd. Exactly what we all need to read because as you said, life only gets better and it’s not about how quick you do it but the depth of which you do it at.
I wonder if other Western cultures idolize youth as much as America. It's tough to tell from the outside looking in. I suppose some studies on target demographics for ads could help. But there's this stereotype that generations mix more in Italy, for example, and I wonder if that translates to a different view on the different stages of life. Perhaps there's even a correlation between how much money a culture spends on "looking younger" (through beauty products, etc.) and how much people obsess over being under 30.
Life isn’t over at 30. That said, wasting your twenties and waiting until your 30’s to get started will be an uphill battle. You don’t have to “make it” by 30, but it’s vitally important to at least be throwing yourself fully into whatever it is you are doing well before you are thirty.
I really appreciated this issue, for the laxity and clarity with which it looks at judgments regarding age, as well as the data brought. I think that the topic is relevant in online discussions and especially in everyday life, and I often hear my peers or friends regarding a project that (even now that they are under 25) it is now 'too late to dedicate themselves to, they have taken another path'. It is important to grasp the importance of the moment in which one is and clearly evaluate situations, regardless of age as a limiting factor. Thanks for sharing.
It's worth noting that, until the recent decline, caused by accelerated collapsing of the economy (I use the word collapsing advisedly), from 1960 to 2015, U.S. averaged life expectancy increased by about a decade. The problem lies in the reversal of our progress by those international circles responsible for the wave of assassinations and cover-ups beginning with JFK in Nov. 1963, followed by the tidal wave of dumbing-down counter-culture, and the initial foot-in-the-door for speculative finance in the form of the Aug. 1971 institution of "floating exchange rates." We must note as well, that insidious social manipulation, hand-in-glove with the erosion of education, was inserted in the guise of "scientific" nonsense, led by the 1972 release of the MIT-imprimature book, "Limits to Growth," which was nothing but a fancy version of Thomas Malthus's utterly fraudulent, plagiarized essay on population. This was, in fact, all one package.
Over several generations now, as a result of these impositions, a deepening cultural pessimism has grown like a cancer, while a small group who see themselves as rightful overlords of humanity, have staked their claim, as before in history, on a bankrupt financial system. The anxiety of our youth is unfortunately exacerbated by misuse of the remarkable technologies now available.
What few Americans yet realize, it that, in fact, most of the world has already rejected this sinking ship and is moving as fast as it can into the economic life boats. We should, too.
Life expectancy decline and financial market shenanigans are indeed concerns. However, this is the sort of narrative that if you listened to it and sat in fear you might watch your life go by. Young people who work on developing real craft and skills will always be fine
I didn't mean to suggest that anyone, young or old, should let life go by. Carpe diem! As far as it goes, developing one's craft and skills is an antidote to the drift; indeed, in my view, the rebound of film photography, aside from the preponderant fad component, is a reflection of the natural inclination to wish to discover, solve problems, and accomplish something meaningful. I only meant to address the need to create a better environment in which this may flourish.
I grew up in a family that always stressed listening to your elders. One byproduct of that was listening to them say stop complaining, everything gets better when you are older. There was some real truth to that. Though I will say I look back on past years with much fondness and many regrets that have made my present and future life prospects positive. Thanks for the article.
My dad has always said his best life was 40-50. I’ve been embracing that mindset. And anyways, while my 20s was fun, I was a total numpty, had no money, and had a failing business. 30s could only be better
Honestly sounds like you lived in your 20s, that experience and time is priceless
For sure — but I don’t wish to be back there
Adam, this was really good. It’s hard, as someone who is young, because you are fed that you must take these big risks and make them big jumps while you are young because after 30 you are cooked. It’s easy to listen to the crowd but only listen to the crowd, if you want to be a part of the crowd. Exactly what we all need to read because as you said, life only gets better and it’s not about how quick you do it but the depth of which you do it at.
I wonder if other Western cultures idolize youth as much as America. It's tough to tell from the outside looking in. I suppose some studies on target demographics for ads could help. But there's this stereotype that generations mix more in Italy, for example, and I wonder if that translates to a different view on the different stages of life. Perhaps there's even a correlation between how much money a culture spends on "looking younger" (through beauty products, etc.) and how much people obsess over being under 30.
Life isn’t over at 30. That said, wasting your twenties and waiting until your 30’s to get started will be an uphill battle. You don’t have to “make it” by 30, but it’s vitally important to at least be throwing yourself fully into whatever it is you are doing well before you are thirty.
Gonna’ go back and watch ‘Wild In the Streets’ again. 🤪
I really appreciated this issue, for the laxity and clarity with which it looks at judgments regarding age, as well as the data brought. I think that the topic is relevant in online discussions and especially in everyday life, and I often hear my peers or friends regarding a project that (even now that they are under 25) it is now 'too late to dedicate themselves to, they have taken another path'. It is important to grasp the importance of the moment in which one is and clearly evaluate situations, regardless of age as a limiting factor. Thanks for sharing.
Who cares about work experience? I want my 22 year old tits back.
It's worth noting that, until the recent decline, caused by accelerated collapsing of the economy (I use the word collapsing advisedly), from 1960 to 2015, U.S. averaged life expectancy increased by about a decade. The problem lies in the reversal of our progress by those international circles responsible for the wave of assassinations and cover-ups beginning with JFK in Nov. 1963, followed by the tidal wave of dumbing-down counter-culture, and the initial foot-in-the-door for speculative finance in the form of the Aug. 1971 institution of "floating exchange rates." We must note as well, that insidious social manipulation, hand-in-glove with the erosion of education, was inserted in the guise of "scientific" nonsense, led by the 1972 release of the MIT-imprimature book, "Limits to Growth," which was nothing but a fancy version of Thomas Malthus's utterly fraudulent, plagiarized essay on population. This was, in fact, all one package.
Over several generations now, as a result of these impositions, a deepening cultural pessimism has grown like a cancer, while a small group who see themselves as rightful overlords of humanity, have staked their claim, as before in history, on a bankrupt financial system. The anxiety of our youth is unfortunately exacerbated by misuse of the remarkable technologies now available.
What few Americans yet realize, it that, in fact, most of the world has already rejected this sinking ship and is moving as fast as it can into the economic life boats. We should, too.
Life expectancy decline and financial market shenanigans are indeed concerns. However, this is the sort of narrative that if you listened to it and sat in fear you might watch your life go by. Young people who work on developing real craft and skills will always be fine
I didn't mean to suggest that anyone, young or old, should let life go by. Carpe diem! As far as it goes, developing one's craft and skills is an antidote to the drift; indeed, in my view, the rebound of film photography, aside from the preponderant fad component, is a reflection of the natural inclination to wish to discover, solve problems, and accomplish something meaningful. I only meant to address the need to create a better environment in which this may flourish.