You are generally correct but I must tell You that I have run into many young people in their 20's who get it, even here in Northwest Colorado!! Just yesterday I conversed with a young man of 22 who knew all about the Beatles, the 60's, Vietnam, Bill Clinton and how Jimmy Carter pardoned all draft resisters!! I asked him how he knew all of this and he told me his parents educated him and he read widely!!! So there is hope.
I loved your article how to talk to people who are 50 years younger. I too turned into a new decade last week. Being in with the 70's crowd has it perks especially as a woman. Everyone is so nice to me. In the grocery store good looking young men help me carry my groceries to my car. If I am standing in line at a store young people tend to say go ahead of me. I recently had lunch with my grandson (age 20) and two of his friends. I was fascinated listening to them talk about our country. One of my main employees mother is younger than my sons! Working with her is a treat for me to continue to learn. The best way to talk to young folks is to LISTEN. They have hopes and dreams just like we did when we were in our 20's. It is up to each one of us to make sure we have a great and strong country so they can be proud of America. We need lots to change. It starts with our education system, Hollywood and main stream news. We need term limits so old folks after the age of 70 no longer can serve in office. Kindness is back in vogue. Go flex on that idea. Thanks for all that you continue to do. You are an inspiration to us all. Hugs from Arizona.
I can understand that there is new slang, especially given the prevalence of texting and social media, but it seems to me that graduate students in public policy should be interested in presidents who served within the last fifty years and whose policies and failures affect public policy today. I am in your age range, but even if I were in my twenties, I would be impressed that you served as a cabinet member and advisor to presidents, and that, according to Wikipedia, Time magazine named you one of the ten best cabinet members of the century.
Robert you are such an erudite, clear writer I so value and am grateful for this newsletter you are doing now. Everyone's comments add so much to the discussion. I am your age and watched Saturday Night Live when it started in the 70's. I still love it. Recently, I was taken aback when they announced the musical guest (which I admit I often won't know) and the guest host, I DIDN'T KNOW HIM EITHER! I was horrified at my cluelessness and shrieked, "omg I'm too old for SNL!"
I share your dilemma Robert, now in my 70’s, I feel as if I’m reliving the rise of fascism, the war my family fought before I was born, in real time, feeling unable to prevent the demise of my adopted country.
You are such a beacon of information and hope in this era of lies and disinformation, I hope we can persevere saving what’s left of our democracy for our youth.
By the way, my first rock concert was, The Beatles, 1964, Birmingham, U.K., The Profumo affair was huge news, Stephen Ward died at the hospital I trained at in London.
I had to laugh reading this blog, it’s so very true. I’ve seen the blank stares, the rolling eyes and laughs from my own children on more than one occasion. However, it really struck home when I was sitting in a salon chair and a twenty something hair stylist stopped dead in her track and yelled out “Are those Reebok tennis shoes from the 80’s!” I have to admit they were, I searched long and hard to find them too! I laughed out loud and proudly admitted that I was indeed, stuck in the past. These young people are our future and we needn't be worried, they are the most inclusive and active generation I've seen in decades. Great article!
Mr. Reich, you are very blessed to be able to interact with young people every day. My wife and I live in a rural area and have no grandchildren, so the only young people we see are on TV or at the grocery store. I enjoy my very few conversations with them, even if I don't understand the desire for tattoos and purple hair color!
Talking "with" (as opposed to talking to) people 50 years younger, I find myself picking up new and vibrant ideas and, most of all, a fresher view of the world. Thank you for this article. Resonated with me!!
When I visit a medical clinic my fist impression is the docs are just out of high school. I too am in mid seventies and it is a strange experience in many ways. Often my wife and I are the oldest couple in a restaurant or grocer. Robert Reich is a treasure and I wish there were more like him in position to make a difference.
When I first went to my in-laws house (rural), my mom-in-law asked me to get something on the davenport.?? It sounded a little bit like carport so I started walking to the covered space between the house and garage. She asked, where are you going? I responded, didn’t you say it was on the davenport? She then laughed and said it means couch. 😄
LOL -- This was too funny. I totally relate because I am in my 60s and returned to grad school this year. I am a good 45 years older than my classmates and have reached such a level of uncool that my (forgiving) classmates find me charming -- like a vintage postcard or something.
Actually, these students here are amazing and in the milieu, I find hope for our future.
Except for vocabulary lapses at 50 years' distance, we are all as young. The younger ones look up to us and we cannot fail them. This is why we are all young together!
I know how you feel. I’m 59; my undergraduate students are all nearly 30 years younger. But, I love being in the classroom with them. They’re all intelligent, passionate about gaining knowledge, and committed to making the world a better, more equitable place. They lead me to learn new things and they keep me young.
You are generally correct but I must tell You that I have run into many young people in their 20's who get it, even here in Northwest Colorado!! Just yesterday I conversed with a young man of 22 who knew all about the Beatles, the 60's, Vietnam, Bill Clinton and how Jimmy Carter pardoned all draft resisters!! I asked him how he knew all of this and he told me his parents educated him and he read widely!!! So there is hope.
I loved your article how to talk to people who are 50 years younger. I too turned into a new decade last week. Being in with the 70's crowd has it perks especially as a woman. Everyone is so nice to me. In the grocery store good looking young men help me carry my groceries to my car. If I am standing in line at a store young people tend to say go ahead of me. I recently had lunch with my grandson (age 20) and two of his friends. I was fascinated listening to them talk about our country. One of my main employees mother is younger than my sons! Working with her is a treat for me to continue to learn. The best way to talk to young folks is to LISTEN. They have hopes and dreams just like we did when we were in our 20's. It is up to each one of us to make sure we have a great and strong country so they can be proud of America. We need lots to change. It starts with our education system, Hollywood and main stream news. We need term limits so old folks after the age of 70 no longer can serve in office. Kindness is back in vogue. Go flex on that idea. Thanks for all that you continue to do. You are an inspiration to us all. Hugs from Arizona.
I can understand that there is new slang, especially given the prevalence of texting and social media, but it seems to me that graduate students in public policy should be interested in presidents who served within the last fifty years and whose policies and failures affect public policy today. I am in your age range, but even if I were in my twenties, I would be impressed that you served as a cabinet member and advisor to presidents, and that, according to Wikipedia, Time magazine named you one of the ten best cabinet members of the century.
It will never not be odd to me how generally Jimmy Carter is dismissed with a sneer and without discussion.
It's kind of a relief to me to see clawback against the "she was a terrible candidate" dismissal of Secretary Clinton.
Robert you are such an erudite, clear writer I so value and am grateful for this newsletter you are doing now. Everyone's comments add so much to the discussion. I am your age and watched Saturday Night Live when it started in the 70's. I still love it. Recently, I was taken aback when they announced the musical guest (which I admit I often won't know) and the guest host, I DIDN'T KNOW HIM EITHER! I was horrified at my cluelessness and shrieked, "omg I'm too old for SNL!"
I share your dilemma Robert, now in my 70’s, I feel as if I’m reliving the rise of fascism, the war my family fought before I was born, in real time, feeling unable to prevent the demise of my adopted country.
You are such a beacon of information and hope in this era of lies and disinformation, I hope we can persevere saving what’s left of our democracy for our youth.
By the way, my first rock concert was, The Beatles, 1964, Birmingham, U.K., The Profumo affair was huge news, Stephen Ward died at the hospital I trained at in London.
I had to laugh reading this blog, it’s so very true. I’ve seen the blank stares, the rolling eyes and laughs from my own children on more than one occasion. However, it really struck home when I was sitting in a salon chair and a twenty something hair stylist stopped dead in her track and yelled out “Are those Reebok tennis shoes from the 80’s!” I have to admit they were, I searched long and hard to find them too! I laughed out loud and proudly admitted that I was indeed, stuck in the past. These young people are our future and we needn't be worried, they are the most inclusive and active generation I've seen in decades. Great article!
Mr. Reich, you are very blessed to be able to interact with young people every day. My wife and I live in a rural area and have no grandchildren, so the only young people we see are on TV or at the grocery store. I enjoy my very few conversations with them, even if I don't understand the desire for tattoos and purple hair color!
Talking "with" (as opposed to talking to) people 50 years younger, I find myself picking up new and vibrant ideas and, most of all, a fresher view of the world. Thank you for this article. Resonated with me!!
When I visit a medical clinic my fist impression is the docs are just out of high school. I too am in mid seventies and it is a strange experience in many ways. Often my wife and I are the oldest couple in a restaurant or grocer. Robert Reich is a treasure and I wish there were more like him in position to make a difference.
Ain’t old age great Robert? I’ve been deaf as a snake for about 10 yrs. Have trouble hearing my Beach Boys albums! Tom Peck, 81
😂😂 This was a comical read. Thank you.
I have very high hopes in the younger generation.
When I first went to my in-laws house (rural), my mom-in-law asked me to get something on the davenport.?? It sounded a little bit like carport so I started walking to the covered space between the house and garage. She asked, where are you going? I responded, didn’t you say it was on the davenport? She then laughed and said it means couch. 😄
LOL -- This was too funny. I totally relate because I am in my 60s and returned to grad school this year. I am a good 45 years older than my classmates and have reached such a level of uncool that my (forgiving) classmates find me charming -- like a vintage postcard or something.
Actually, these students here are amazing and in the milieu, I find hope for our future.
I urge we older folks to get out and talk and most importantly listen to the younger generations. They have a lot to say!
Except for vocabulary lapses at 50 years' distance, we are all as young. The younger ones look up to us and we cannot fail them. This is why we are all young together!
I know how you feel. I’m 59; my undergraduate students are all nearly 30 years younger. But, I love being in the classroom with them. They’re all intelligent, passionate about gaining knowledge, and committed to making the world a better, more equitable place. They lead me to learn new things and they keep me young.