Get Older, Be Despised - New Yorker article

[Major Tom]

+1 Chuckanaut.

 

[W2R]

Terrific post, Chuckanut. You really nailed it.

 

[aja8888]

I must be still Hi Tech as I just ordered groceries for pick up from Walmart's website! And I will drive there myself!

 

[REWahoo]

I must be still Hi Tech as I just ordered groceries for pick up from Walmart's website! And I will drive there myself!

What, no Uber?

 

[aja8888]

What, no Uber?

What's an Uber? (no just groceries)

 

[Amethyst]

Except...the article is saying that if you're in Group A, Group B doesn't like you even though they are destined to become you.

And from my perspective, it certainly doesn't help when older people put each other down (old fart/old coot/old bag, jokes about smelling bad, etc.)

Another media article designed to divide us into warring groups.

I am getting tired of being told since I am part of Group A, the people in Group B don't like me, and we both should have nothing to do with those in Group C.

I can't help but notice that during the flooding in Houston, I didn't see one video where somebody refused to help another person because is his/her age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic group, politics, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Amethyst]

That is what we refer to as "overperforming during a crisis."

Once the waters receded, I imagine the same old battle lines re-emerged.

A

I can't help but notice that during the flooding in Houston, I didn't see one video where somebody refused to help another person because is his/her age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic group, politics, etc. etc. etc.

 

[W2R]

Except...the article is saying that if you're in Group A, Group B doesn't like you even though they are destined to become you.

Like youth today, when I was in my early 20's I thought I was immortal, and would never grow old. Surely I would never be a day over 30 years old.

Wow, that sure didn't pan out, did it!

 

[W2R]

What's an Uber? (no just groceries)

You can order non-perishable online, and have them delivered to your door. That might cut down on all that driving a little bit.

 

[Curmudgeon]

This reminds me of an interesting novel I read by Albert Brooks called 2030, which outlines an America of the future where 'olds' are despised. Worth a read:

https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Thirty-Story-Happens-America/dp/0312591292


From the description:
June 12, 2030 started out like any other day in memory―and by then, memories were long. Since cancer had been cured fifteen years before, America's population was aging rapidly. That sounds like good news, but consider this: millions of baby boomers, with a big natural predator picked off, were sucking dry benefits and resources that were never meant to hold them into their eighties and beyond. Young people around the country simmered with resentment toward "the olds" and anger at the treadmill they could never get off of just to maintain their parents' entitlement programs.

 

[foxfirev5]

Today one of my millennial neighbors and I watched my other neighbor blow his leaves on another property. I told him I'm curious if he'll dump on me next.
The kid replyed " yeah like anyone's going to mess with you"
At least he made an old man's day.

 

[jollystomper]

For work, it may depend on the line of work you are in. For the technical consulting/support aspect of my job, a lot of clients prefer "older folks" to assist them, or at least be part of the team supporting them. Their rationale is that, when it comes to problem solving, they feel more comfortable with someone with a long track record and experience.

The "downside" is that is a reason why my manager is reluctant for me to retire . Our 2nd line and above advertise our groups skills and experience, but he know that it is the "veterans" in the group that is the foundation of our reputation.

 

[marko]

Another media article designed to divide us into warring groups.

I am getting tired of being told since I am part of Group A, the people in Group B don't like me, and we both should have nothing to do with those in Group C.

I can't help but notice that during the flooding in Houston, I didn't see one video where somebody refused to help another person because is his/her age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic group, politics, etc. etc. etc.

+1
I lost interest the minute I saw "New Yorker".

 

[haha]

+1
I lost interest the minute I saw "New Yorker".

You are so right. I started reading the New Yorker at my Grandmother's when I was 12, and later read it to find jazz I wanted to hear in NYC, and even here on the West Coast for what was excellent writing and hilarious cartoons. Not any more. Most of it is enraging, and what isn't is just boring. Pure virtue signaling and political cant.

Ha

 

[Accidental Retiree]

For work, it may depend on the line of work you are in. For the technical consulting/support aspect of my job, a lot of clients prefer "older folks" to assist them, or at least be part of the team supporting them. Their rationale is that, when it comes to problem solving, they feel more comfortable with someone with a long track record and experience.

Yes. That’s the veterinarian I want, and the doctor, but they’re hard to find.

They’re probably hanging out on this forum.

And well deserved, I imagine.

My dentist of 30+ years, we visit once or twice yearly. We told him we’re up for dental tourism.

 

[aja8888]

For work, it may depend on the line of work you are in. For the technical consulting/support aspect of my job, a lot of clients prefer "older folks" to assist them, or at least be part of the team supporting them. Their rationale is that, when it comes to problem solving, they feel more comfortable with someone with a long track record and experience.

I did engineering consulting in the oil & gas business into my early 70's because several long term clients wanted a guy that had decades of experience and knew the business. Even this year, I have had a few local clients call requesting help. I have to give it up though, as DW needs me around more than ever and I am worn out with travel.

Who is going to fill the shoes of the long term pros in historical, but necessary, businesses in this country when us old dogs die off? I don't see any younger people stepping into those jobs.

 

[REWahoo]

Who is going to fill the shoes of the long term pros in historical, but necessary, businesses in this country when us old dogs die off? I don't see any younger people stepping into those jobs.

I'm reasonably sure we're all replaceable - maybe not instantly, but likely far sooner than you think.

 

[aja8888]

I'm reasonably sure we're all replaceable - maybe not instantly, but likely far sooner than you think.

Probably, but there is a reason why consulting has become a lucrative career. Mostly because employers can't find or find and groom replacements in critical jobs.

One of my best friends was HR VP for Anadarko and he says that finding qualified replacements for critical oil & gas workers was very hard. I won't publish his frequent comments on millennials.

 

[unclemick]

I'd really have to have a huge chip on my shoulder, to believe that I was being mistreated because of my age.

Quite the contrary; I enjoy the senior discounts that I get, and strangers who would never open the door for me when I was young and pretty, do so now. We are old enough that we are "Sir" and "Ma'am" to younger people who have been raised that way.

And as for me, I like and prefer to be around others my age or at least over 50, because we have experiences in common. But it is also fun to be around younger people sometimes.

It's amazing to me what topics are written about in various articles, when so-called journalists get desperate to come up with something to talk about. The New Yorker seems to be especially vulnerable to this sort of desperation IMO.

NEW YORK CITY!

Send those suckers a case of PACE picante sauce. Cousin moved from Iowa to there 40 years or so ago - sang opera. Different world.

Here I put on bib overalls and go to the farm and 'big cities' like Bethany, Grant City ,MT Ayr where 50 year olds are 'young squirts'. Except Marysville has a college - go Bearcats.

heh heh heh - the more gray my hair the more 'perks' we seem to get.

 

[GrayHare]

"In these fast days, young America must 'get up and get' or there is no enjoyment. Live fast and die young is the principle." -The New England Farmer, 1870

 

[W2R]

NEW YORK CITY!

Send those suckers a case of PACE picante sauce. Cousin moved from Iowa to there 40 years or so ago - sang opera. Different world.

Here I put on bib overalls and go to the farm and 'big cities' like Bethany, Grant City ,MT Ayr where 50 year olds are 'young squirts'. Except Marysville has a college - go Bearcats.

heh heh heh - the more gray my hair the more 'perks' we seem to get.

Sounds great, Unclemick. One of these days your gray hair will be white, like ours is, and then you will REALLY start getting the perks.

 

[irishgal]

This thread make me think of that 1970’s movie Logan’s Run! As many of you may recall the people were not all to live longer than 30 years.

 

[Souschef]

Probably, but there is a reason why consulting has become a lucrative career. Mostly because employers can't find or find and groom replacements in critical jobs.
.

I would tend to agree. I worked in the contracts department of a company that dealt with aircraft components. I was the only one in the department who had an engineering degree and was a pilot. Every one else were just order takers.
After i retired, I found out that had to hire 3 people to replace me. I am not say that egotistically, but I was surprised.

 

[jollystomper]

Who is going to fill the shoes of the long term pros in historical, but necessary, businesses in this country when us old dogs die off? I don't see any younger people stepping into those jobs.

In our group we convinced our management to fund travel for younger, inexperienced folks to participate on some of our client projects. For example, I conduct a workshop and train them on teaching a couple of modules, with the eventual goal of them taking it over as they gain experience.

This sounds logical, but you would be surprised at what it took to convince management to do this. Initially as they brought on new hires they would not allocate them to us because, in their words, "we know you folks have a lot on your plate". We nicely pointed out that (a) we are so busy because management keeps cutting our teams but has us covering the same or more items, and (b) many of us could turn around and retire tomorrow, so who will you have to replace us? Eventually the light bulb went off in their collective heads.

 

[marko]

I'm reasonably sure we're all replaceable - maybe not instantly, but likely far sooner than you think.

Actually, my company was the world leader in our industry for 35 years. We employed over 5,000 people in 20 offices worldwide.
When our CEO left (and 2 others along along with myself) the company's market share dropped 40% within 18 months. Fifteen years later, they now employ less than 150 people.

I'm told that the events are on their way to becoming a Harvard Case Study.