Rob Murphy

Much to say here. I don't think being dependent on parents is necessarily lazy (but it can be). Economic opportunities are vastly different. I'm more educated than most people, but I make far less money (this didn't come as a surprise, but it's still true). We also work in different ways. My hands (unlike my feet) are uncalloused. I mostly have to worry about papercuts and eye strain. My father (he will be 63 in November), although in decent shape, doesn't exercise per se and has had two hips replaced and has a slipped disk in his back. He taught for 30+ years but did other work that was very hard on his body. My point is that we work differently, and in my case "flexibly." All this is trying to point out (and I'm not doing it very well) that we view work differently and relate to it differently. My brother thinks I'm lazy, while I think he and my father are interested in being busy. I'll need to check out the article I guess because I think I am making a different but relate argument.

Are we narcissistic? Certainly. As for annoying our elders, every generation does that to the prior ones. Think of music you probably listened to as a child and how your parents responded.

We probably do have a more extreme sense of entitlement. I can see that. I'm not sure how we are going to save everyone though.

Have you taught for a while, Rob? What do you see with your students?

I feel inclined to respond but I'm really not sure how. From my experience older people are more self centered, their worlds seem a lot smaller than younger generations.

Does walking really help get your weight down? I never feel like I'm getting much out of it unless it's really hilly.

Jason - I will be looking for your letter to the editor in next week's Time. That was great.

Rob - Yes, moving your body burns calories. I'm surprised you didn't know that. :)

Yeah, I got that part. It's the burn calories = loose weight thing that's got me confused.

It's generational cycle- go read about the Strauss Howe generational theory.

Of course Millenials are the way they are- they naturally realize they can't or won't get ahead in life, mainly due to the baby boomers, who demanded everyone support them with pensions, social security, etc. but didn't pay for them. Anyways, Strauss Howe is very insightful and can explain a lot.

Twenty something's today may not be that different from other generations...

The Atlantic, September 1907: In the cover story, "Why American Marriages Fail," Anna A. Rogers warned, "The rock upon which most of the flower-bedecked marriage barges go to pieces is the latter-day cult of individualism; the worship of the brazen calf of the Self."

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/05/me-generation-time/65054/