Do you think the Millenial Generation is the most cynical/pessimistic?

Do any of you feel that that the Millienial Generation is the most cynical/pessitimistic of the generations.Or its becaus I am been on the internet too long.

Yes, and I couldn't imagine why.

I am cynical but I'm not going to project unto others.

No. We were raised by cynics, so we understand the workings of the world well enough.

Besides, let's look at the preceding generations (that are still alive)

• "Greatest" Generation: Fought in World War II, got to topple Adolf Hitler, and returned to a joyous celebration from America and a promise to build a new world. Yeah, can't imagine why they'd be less cynical.

• Baby Boomers: Saw the world the generation before them had left to them, realized it was bullshit, and fought to change it. Their idealism was well rewarded; no reason they'd be cynics, either.

• Gen X: Raised by idealistic boomers to be idealists, saw the world that these idealists had built, and ended up disappointed. Definitely cynical, though the fact that they were raised by idealists might have had an effect on the degree.

• Gen Y/Millenials: Raised by cynical Gen Xers (well, I was raised by a boomer, but same result, anyways); inherited a world that's not too bad, but with not much really affecting us, many of us don't see the point in caring. Comfort breeds apathy; we also have the lessons from the previous generations to learn from, and we've seen exactly what blind idealism can lead to, or what idealists end up becoming. Cynical, but in a different way from the Gen Xers; we're not disappointed idealists, because nobody expected us to become idealists in the first place.

edited 1st Oct '11 11:57:42 PM by tropetown

No, don't take a sample and apply it to the whole.

Well, we're screwed from herein.

Make the most of it, at least.

Gen Xers are just as, if not more cynical than we are; they just don't understand why we're cynical at a younger age than they were.

edited 1st Oct '11 3:52:31 PM by tropetown

Understanding begets apathy.

I don't know, USAF, I found that the more I understood, the more I felt a need to do something about it all.

I agree. However, apathy is easier than activism, and humans are notorious for taking the easier option, consequences be damned.

I'd call myself a cynical idealist; I believe things can be changed, but I know Humans Are Bastards, and the best way to change the world is to use that to everyone's advantage.

Yes because we are more knowledgeable about all the sad and depressing shit going on.

I doubt people knew much of the suffering in Africa 60 years ago.

I prefer "pessimistic idealist," as it is less contradictory.

I don't believe Humans Are Bastards, either. I just think humans are fucking stupid...

There's still a difference between "Shouldn't we do something about it?" and "We have to do something about it now!".

Someone once told me that existing by itself is awesome. I facepalmed.

Lock, I've already set up a charity, I serve as a counselor to many teenagers that need such help, yadda. Now, granted, I'm not Bill Gates rich and removing warlords from Africa, but I'm working on it. People aren't stupid, they aren't bastards. They just have needs and those needs have to be met before they can help anyone else.

And you might find that even in today's society, not all of your needs are met, just the obvious ones.

Not a bad term; I just don't like thinking of myself as a pessimist.

I think Humans Are Indifferent, actually; I just happen to agree with Napoleon, when he said; "Men are more easily governed through their vices than through their virtues".

Exactly. Our generation, on the whole, doesn't have anything we feel is worth fighting for. We're the safest we've ever been, and that's why most of us don't care.

Actually Gen Y has skewed more IDEALISTIC overall. They might be pessimists (as in people who aim for an ideal but don't expect it to happen), but they are still idealists and those ideals are pretty blatant.

The election of Obama in particular was borderline embarrassing when it comes to the kids my age. Then again, I think all college kids skew a bit idealistic.

Then, the more accurate term would be "apathetic idealists", would it not?

I suppose I do still count for the "idealist" number, don't I?

Whats wrong with people your age voting for Obama?

I mean yeah, the people who thought he could wave a wand and fix everything are fools, but some idealism is needed.

edited 1st Oct '11 4:14:35 PM by Thorn14

Do you people even know what "Idealism" means?

No, but the Internet allows them to vent far away from smart people who might tell them why they're wrong.

Well, one can be an idealist about the current system (which is ridiculous), or idealist in the sense that they believe they can change the current system.

I go for the latter, myself.

No Loid, no insults please. I'd honestly like to hear an answer to that question.

I think you have optimism and idealism mixed up there.

edited 1st Oct '11 4:16:12 PM by Ramus