FireInCairo

point taken.

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WaspStar

First of all, I think all generations tend to be disdainful of their younger counterparts, particularly when the matter of "intelligence" comes up.

I think you're right about the Internet playing a large role, but for a different reason. Because so much information is now readily available, people don't bother to commit it to memory. (Why should one bother learning about the intricies of Brazil's economy when that information can be accessed in five seconds?). As Seltzer pointed out, some people confuse factual knowledge with intelligence.

That said, I can see how "intelligence" (read: creativity, originality, critical thinking) could be found lacking in our generation (well, I'm 19, but that's close enough) simply because of the popularity of electronic games and the woeful state of our educational system (NCLB, anyone?).

The true problem is that it's unfair to call an entire generation less "intelligent." Different generations have different values. How many young people these days find I Love Lucy or Bob Hope to be funny? The way we measure intelligence is subjective (how do you define intelligence?).

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ProggyMan

I'll agree our education system sucks, but is it any worse than 40 years ago? My mom never got a single class on biology and she's one of the smartest people I know. The math we do in our schools now is way ahead of the what the previous generations have done. If you look at other countries I don't think there's anything wrong with their school systems. Can anyone who grew up in the 70's/80's who have kids now or are somehow involved in education say the at schools are worse? I'm not saying that they're good, but are they really worse?

WaspStar

I think that forty years ago, schools taught creative thought more (and that's what's important, not advanced biology or the level of math). Today, all classes have one goal: high test scores. In the 50's, the goal was to prepare people for a trade, to prepare them for life and to think for themselves. (Or am I completely misinformed? Either way, the system sucks right now, and the emphasis on standardization is outweighing any benefits an improved ciriculum may have had).

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ProggyMan

My parents don't think so...They remember their education the same as mine is. Mediocre teachers, no intellectual stimulation. So I'm not disputing what you're saying I just want verification. You're certainly right about the current system though.

Wifey Boozer

Times and people are different nowadays. I don't think it's a question of intelligence. There are "smart" people and dimmer people in every generation, no matter what time you're from. I don't think your generation has anything to do with it. Customs are different, certainly. But then again you can have an old fashion 20 or 30some year old in this generation. It's all based on how people are raised really, they can either go with it or reject it. I agree with WaspStar that intelligence is subjective... but the belief in things being subjective is however more common in this generation. Older people in their 50s/60s generally tend to be more closed minded and possess a "this is the way it is" type of posistion. Though I hate to generalize people based on their age. I do believe everyone is different in their own way and it doesn't matter what their age is. To me it's not your age or your education level, it's what you've gone through and how that's affected your disposistion. A 20 year old that's lived on the streets all their life is probably more street smart than a 50 year old white-collar executive who comes from a yuppie family. See what I'm getting at here?

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vinylhasmorefun

Yea, one old women told me I didn't "know enough" about politics SIMPLY because I told her I was voting for Obama. She got all snarky and asked why I was voting for him, luckily I was able to name about 7 things off the top my head.
I think a lot has to do with apathy.

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Alfred

She was most likely a republican.

Like, a hardcore "conservative till I die" type.

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WolfAtTheDoor

I am 17 years old and live in the UK. There are many, MANY ridiculously stupid individuals that you come across that are my age, but I think it's mainly because the stupid ones are more often than not the most arrogant ones, therefore get noticed more... stupidity is allowed in todays society, whereas back in the older generations youthood yobbish behaviour would not be tolerated, in this day and age the youth seem to get away with it.

However, I think that the 'chav' are a dying breed. I think many of them are growing up now and the streets are a lot less intimidating than they used to be. Well it's either that, or it's because now I'm with a more intimidating bunch of people who would knock the **** out of those little bastards.

Son of JayJamJah

I think the biggest difference between the youngest generations and their parents and grandparents is a sense of entitlement that would have been considered unacceptable when they were young.

Also people of the younger generations have blurred the line between fame and infamy and that is distressing for people who grew up in a much different time.

I think that society is always changing and that's always tougher for the older people to deal with then the younger more adaptable ones. My parents generation had it harder then I did and I had a tougher upbringing then my children did. My grandkids will have an easier life then their parents also (hopefully). It's a natural progression as society becomes more evolved and efficient.

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