Landsteiner posted:"We have entered a "push button" era in history where with few exceptions, everything deemed necessary is being done with the smartphone."
I'm constantly amazed and disappointed at these sorts of comments about younger people. I can only guess that it's because the folks making these comments don't actually have much contact with people in their teens, 20s and 30s, or are making entirely superficial judgements about the younger generation, based upon what they read or casual observation in McDonalds
.
I daily deal with highly motivated professionals and students in the younger age groups. In my experience, these sorts of clueless and demeaning remarks are thoroughly unfair and, most importantly, totally wrong. The interest amongst young people in nature, outdoors activities, the environment, the well being of others, crafts, literature, the arts, etc. is much greater than the generation I grew up with in the 1950s and 1960s. Just because children don't build Revell or Monogram plastic model aircraft models or make doilies doesn't mean they have no interest in creativity or the creation of "stuff." How many young people today are writing apps, using 3D printing, learning to be plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, etc.? A whole lot. Get off their case, curmedugeons! And get off my grass!
Good point. For additional and timely gloss, see the cover of today's WSJ: "Wanted: Teenagers to Fill Local Jobs." The story reports on one 17 year old, Thayer McCollum, who works part time after school installing avionics in aircraft.
I always thought that it was a very bad trend when we say teens exiting the part time workforce for volunteering or activities because while many of these typical teenage jobs are menial, they teach the basic skills that are a prerequisite for entering the workforce successfully later. Apparently for many kids what is happening is that they are getting these foundational experiences while also having the ability to do meaningful work.
