Fully Packed with the Devil
The Approach, Pt. 1
Not that it's such an original observation, but the '9' years - you know, 29, 39 and, presumably, 49 - are probably even a bigger drag than the huge milestone years they precede. Because the '9' year is the point where you simply can't beat around the temporal bush anymore: no longer 'getting old,' now you're just 'old.'
Which wouldn't be such a bad thing in and of itself - youth is wasted on the young, and I was no exception, except that I hated all of the things that came with being young and just wanted to get into the comfortable routines of middle age. But the problem for people of my generation with aging is the cognitive dissonance that sets up between our chronological age and our emotional age. I'll put it this way, readers of my generation: do you picture your father logging in to a few hours of World of Warcraft after a day at the office?
What faustian bargain was collectively struck back in 1970 that allowed us to keep our sense of play as we aged? And what did we promise in return?
D.
Not that it's such an original observation, but the '9' years - you know, 29, 39 and, presumably, 49 - are probably even a bigger drag than the huge milestone years they precede. Because the '9' year is the point where you simply can't beat around the temporal bush anymore: no longer 'getting old,' now you're just 'old.'
Which wouldn't be such a bad thing in and of itself - youth is wasted on the young, and I was no exception, except that I hated all of the things that came with being young and just wanted to get into the comfortable routines of middle age. But the problem for people of my generation with aging is the cognitive dissonance that sets up between our chronological age and our emotional age. I'll put it this way, readers of my generation: do you picture your father logging in to a few hours of World of Warcraft after a day at the office?
What faustian bargain was collectively struck back in 1970 that allowed us to keep our sense of play as we aged? And what did we promise in return?
D.
posted by Dave Kopperman | 11:24 PM
6 Comments:
"Youth is wasted on the young...I hated all of the things that came with being young and just wanted to get into the comfortable routines of middle age."
Yeah, I can kind of relate.
"Do you picture your father logging in to a few hours of World of Warcraft after a day at the office?"
You directed this question at members of your generation, which I am not, but I can say, just one generation later - yes, sorta. He's on Facebook every day, owns a Wii, and has heard of bands before I do (Vampire Weekend, The Frames). And he's not even a particularly hip or youthful guy... but his embrace of technology has just lead him to these things.
I think most people of our parents' generation (yours are the same as mine, despite our decade separation) embrace technology for the social networking aspects, not the gaming part.
D.
The gaming thing is simple.. we grew up with it why wouldnt it remain a part of our lives as we age.. as Bridge and checkers and chess did for other generations..
and you've been saying we're old for 10 years now so I dont wanna hear it..
Christine.. generations are 20 years or so.. are you 20 years younger than dave?
Q: You know what kind of person wants to get into the comfortable routines of middle age in their 20s?
A: A moron.
I dunno.. this post has aggravated me for some reason..
Dude...
YOU!
I am.
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