I agree that the relatively few sources of news and entertainment we had in our youths created a sense of shared experience, a common language. With the wealth of media and information now available, it seems unlikely subsequent generations will have as deep a sense of common experience as, say, our parents' generation ... or ours for that matter. I don't see this as a threat necessarily. Indeed, I think it's already resulted in a broader, more inclusive view of the world at large. As for what today's 15-year-olds will be talking about 40 years hence: corrupt politicians and why you still can't get a decent cup of tea in America.
Dugal: Certain topics of conversation will always persist & politics will probably be one of them. Not with school kids though i suspect. As for that cup of tea. I don't bother with tea anywhere but in peoples houses. I wouldn't buy a cup of tea in a cafe & certainly wouldn't drink one on an aeroplane.
I agree that the relatively few sources of news and entertainment we had in our youths created a sense of shared experience, a common language. With the wealth of media and information now available, it seems unlikely subsequent generations will have as deep a sense of common experience as, say, our parents' generation ... or ours for that matter. I don't see this as a threat necessarily. Indeed, I think it's already resulted in a broader, more inclusive view of the world at large. As for what today's 15-year-olds will be talking about 40 years hence: corrupt politicians and why you still can't get a decent cup of tea in America.
ReplyDeleteDugal: Certain topics of conversation will always persist & politics will probably be one of them. Not with school kids though i suspect.
ReplyDeleteAs for that cup of tea. I don't bother with tea anywhere but in peoples houses. I wouldn't buy a cup of tea in a cafe & certainly wouldn't drink one on an aeroplane.