NF, let me see if I can interpret this bizarre statement correctly:

“Ludwig posts blame everywhere other than at his sort's doorstep.”

Um…you think that I’m not blaming my generation? And therefore unfairly blaming other generations?

I’m a baby boomer and I point my little pinkie at my generation with considerable disdain.

They oversaw some awful environmental alienation, the horrible treatment of Australia’s indigenous people and various other issues.

However after the war there was a need for considerable growth. So I don’t hold that against the boomers.

But after that, moving into Gen X, there wasn’t this need for continuous expansion at all. It was time for the country to mature, which should have meant balancing its books, ie: between humanity and environment and between resource demand and supply capability, rather than continuous rapid population growth and all the added pressures on our environment, resource base, society and quality of life that went with it….and entrenching the absurdity of an economic system that is based on continuous never-ending growth.

Then as I have already explained, Gen Y is a whole lot worse again.

Do you think this unreasonable NF?

I have just read your article again, Melanie.

I agree with what you say.

It is NOT easier for your generation, it is much harder.

“It is NOT easier for your generation, it is much harder.”

Ginx, I’m not so sure about that.

The magnitude of the problems is much greater than with past generations. But the need to make fundamental changes is also much more urgent, which should mean that the psychology behind the necessary changes should be much easier to modify.

Entrenched methodologies, belief systems, thought processes, contentment with a comfortable here-and-now existence, apathy, etc are of fundamental importance. These psychological aspects were not under much pressure with past generations. But surely they are now.

If Gen Y (or the whole of our society) could just make the fundamental psychological switch which would set us onto a sustainable pathway, then we’d have the worst of our problems beat, despite their magnitude. And I reckon that it would be easy to achieve, if there were just a few key people out there pushing for it, who were able to progressively convince the masses to change their ways.

But alas, there seem to be just about no Gen Y people doing this, or older experts and other learned people for that matter. So it seems that Gen Y will continue with the same old iconic Aussie psychosis of business as usual and ‘she’ll be right mate’.

I understand entirely what you're saying Ludwig, but it presupposes that GenY HAVE a voice that they are not using.

They do not. They are disempowered. Those that are trying to get somewhere in terms of education, are struggling to survive (not all I know! But very many),-they incur large debt, for most-they must fit work in with studies..etc., That means constant pressure and stress. And THAT means that there is little voice left to take on any issues.

Keep a populous under stress and fear, and it becomes a lot easier to handle.

Those not in higher education have withdrawn into their own world; their own culture; even their own manner of communicating.

I feel damn sorry for most all of them. They are our tomorrow, yet they have been devalued, so they in their turn, devalue.

Ginx, I can’t accept that argument. They have a voice. They are choosing not to use it.

Gen Y is far more aware of the issues and their magnitude than any previous generation. A person would have to be extremely insular these days to not know about the basic issues and the urgency in dealing with them. The simple truth is that the vast majority are CHOOSING to not be involved.

This is deplorable, as the great majority don’t need to be involved in a huge manner. All they need to do is support the right sorts of changes, the right politicians at elections, etc. But no, they can’t even do that.

Well that's sorted then!!

We don't agree.