When I reflect on these issues, it seems that such inter generational quibbles started with my generation. There was always an old-versus-new tension between generations. But outright contempt seems relatively new and very western. So many cultural practices emerged from the idea that we should live to make the most of our life (as opposed to living for our next generation) that we lost the connectivity to our heritage. It pains me when I hear fellow boomers lament that their children seek so much help - financial and otherwise - to raise their own children. When in the history of humanity wasn’t that the case?
"Unfortunately, Meena immediately shot the idea down. “Maya has too much stuff as it is,” Meena asserted. “We don’t want her to be materialistic and environmentally unaware.” And that was that."
Meena has learned to internalize PMC values and patterns of consumption, presumably as part of fitting in in her university and later, her job.
The irony being that PMC yuppies are themselves as materialistic and consumption obsessed as any Renaissance potentate or Mughal sultan, just that they like to dress up their materialism and consumption in virtue-signaling terms. "We have all this stuff because we're just better people, and we use this stuff in better ways because we're just better people!"
The other irony being that, although they talk incessantly about going one's own way, humans in general and the PMC in particular are herd animals to rival any lemming or sheep. This is because, unlike the rich, who live off capital which is famously indifferent to its owners and their quirks, and the working class, who live off skilled or unskilled labor and get paid as long as they show up to work on time, the PMC primarily live off of *who* they are, off of their qualifications and values. They have to be counted on not to rock the boat.
See, Paul Fussell, "Class: A Guide Through The American Status System".
When I reflect on these issues, it seems that such inter generational quibbles started with my generation. There was always an old-versus-new tension between generations. But outright contempt seems relatively new and very western. So many cultural practices emerged from the idea that we should live to make the most of our life (as opposed to living for our next generation) that we lost the connectivity to our heritage. It pains me when I hear fellow boomers lament that their children seek so much help - financial and otherwise - to raise their own children. When in the history of humanity wasn’t that the case?
So much to digest from your references. Thanks!
"Unfortunately, Meena immediately shot the idea down. “Maya has too much stuff as it is,” Meena asserted. “We don’t want her to be materialistic and environmentally unaware.” And that was that."
Meena has learned to internalize PMC values and patterns of consumption, presumably as part of fitting in in her university and later, her job.
The irony being that PMC yuppies are themselves as materialistic and consumption obsessed as any Renaissance potentate or Mughal sultan, just that they like to dress up their materialism and consumption in virtue-signaling terms. "We have all this stuff because we're just better people, and we use this stuff in better ways because we're just better people!"
The other irony being that, although they talk incessantly about going one's own way, humans in general and the PMC in particular are herd animals to rival any lemming or sheep. This is because, unlike the rich, who live off capital which is famously indifferent to its owners and their quirks, and the working class, who live off skilled or unskilled labor and get paid as long as they show up to work on time, the PMC primarily live off of *who* they are, off of their qualifications and values. They have to be counted on not to rock the boat.
See, Paul Fussell, "Class: A Guide Through The American Status System".