Good stuff achieved by baby-boomer's.

[El Guapo]

deckster said:

Really? The baby boom is defined to have started in 1946; the last Apollo mission was in 1972. Not many 26 year-old qualified, experienced space-flight engineers around, even then.

The average age of the engineers in the flight control centre for Apollo 11 was 26.

[fido]

crankedup said:

Developed space travel.

Arguably, that was the Nazis. {controversial}

crankedup said:

Developed the entertainment industry'

The generation before did that.

[Pothole]

Derek Smith said:

Some tremendous music. Stones for one.

Only Ronnie Wood, of the current line-up is strictly a baby boomer, though...

[Derek Smith]

SpeedMattersNot said:

I understand, Derek, but I just can't seem to see the relevance of it being in this section of the entire website.

The music? Don't get me started...that's like saying you taught us how to cook meat and boil potatoes! That we are welcome to start a discussion in the music forum - or by email if you prefer.

I'm sorry I don't understand your terminology. But something has changed since your day.

I believe Education is the most important factor when trying to change a generation. It's what most people talk about as most different when these topics occur. So, regarding the education factor, I think Ken Robertson has is right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

What do you think?

P.s. I also think religious beliefs have had an affect on civilisation. But that will probably just be me...there aren't any bad students at my wife's school who attend church with us every Sunday! And I believe going to church was more common in the baby booming years?

Thanks for the link. Lots to think about there. I knew a bloke at college who had 'failed' at private school. He was considered an idiot, the old can't teach him anything. His parents took him out and educated him at home with tutors. He was the nearest thing to a genius I ever knew. He was the best graphic artist at college, and there were some really great ones there (although not, unfortunately, me). Had he not died he would still be talked about in graphic art circles. Yet he was, according to his school, unteachable.

I once took a project I'd been working on for months to him for his opinion. He always carried pens and pencils and he said he liked what I'd done, 'some good ideas' and then changed everything with a few strokes of his pen. I got a distinction. The bloke was brilliant. I'm sure he never knew how much he hurt me.

As for the music, before the post war era music was handed down to teenagers, rather like fashion. But with Beatles, Stones, Hollies and every onward adults followed the kids, rather like those 35 year old women reading Harry Potter on the train. I used to be a bit keen on folk music, it was mainly the history of the common people side. I was surprised at the response to folk rock - I was a bit of a groupie for Steeleye Span. The change upset the traditionalists, seeing folk as the last stand against popularism.

Thanks for mentioning religion. That, or its absence for so long, was generated by the baby boomers.

Immediately after the war there was a bit of an upsurge in church attendances, at least according to my father. I've not read anything on why this happened but the assumption must be that if the bombs are falling they all you can do is pray.

I was never sent to church, although thee was a very large section of my family who played with beads and suggested that I would go to hell. As time went on more kids joined me. Byt the time I was in my late teens, none of my friends went to church of their own volition.

[SpeedMattersNot]

Derek Smith said:

Thanks for the link. Lots to think about there. I knew a bloke at college who had 'failed' at private school. He was considered an idiot, the old can't teach him anything. His parents took him out and educated him at home with tutors. He was the nearest thing to a genius I ever knew. He was the best graphic artist at college, and there were some really great ones there (although not, unfortunately, me). Had he not died he would still be talked about in graphic art circles. Yet he was, according to his school, unteachable.

I once took a project I'd been working on for months to him for his opinion. He always carried pens and pencils and he said he liked what I'd done, 'some good ideas' and then changed everything with a few strokes of his pen. I got a distinction. The bloke was brilliant. I'm sure he never knew how much he hurt me.

As for the music, before the post war era music was handed down to teenagers, rather like fashion. But with Beatles, Stones, Hollies and every onward adults followed the kids, rather like those 35 year old women reading Harry Potter on the train. I used to be a bit keen on folk music, it was mainly the history of the common people side. I was surprised at the response to folk rock - I was a bit of a groupie for Steeleye Span. The change upset the traditionalists, seeing folk as the last stand against popularism.

Thanks for mentioning religion. That, or its absence for so long, was generated by the baby boomers.

Immediately after the war there was a bit of an upsurge in church attendances, at least according to my father. I've not read anything on why this happened but the assumption must be that if the bombs are falling they all you can do is pray.

I was never sent to church, although thee was a very large section of my family who played with beads and suggested that I would go to hell. As time went on more kids joined me. Byt the time I was in my late teens, none of my friends went to church of their own volition.

I think that Sir Robertson raises some very interesting points, that are often overlooked. I especially admire the fact he points out that kids today are living in the most distracting (my words, not his) period of our entire existence, with iPhones, iPads, computer games, 1000+ TV channels, Twitter (you name it!) and we're still trying to educate them the same way. A recent pet hate of mine, is that of the uprising of support for Michael Gove, who is doing what a lot of older people do and try to repeat the past because they're proud of who they are.

Kids are often mocked on this forum because they're so stupid and have got it so easy. Yes, some aspects have got better - they no longer have to walk 2 miles just to go to school. Is that meant to be a bad thing? Other than having all of these creature comforts and a better living standard, what else have they got so much easier? Their exams are still very similar, yet they're all now capable of so much more when it comes to technology. There are 4 year old kids who are more comfortable with computers than many of the elderly...!

Like Robertson says, when the older generation when to school/college they were told if they worked hard, got a qualification, they'd get a good job and earn well. It doesn't really work as easily as that anymore.

Quickly discussing the music, my wife's a music teacher. She's got more qualifications in music alone, than I have in all of my qualifications put together (which isn't saying much to be fair!). I hear the majority of her students music coursework and see many of her students performances at Christmas concerts etc. Whilst she's classically trained she's still got a good ear for all-round music, recently introducing a music technology course of which she admits she has limited knowledge of...but some of her students efforts are just, incredible. She's got a near perfect violinist in 6th form and also a twice runner up young drummer of the year. Music isn't lost on modern kids...who do music, trust me!

Unfortunately Gove also thinks this isn't an important subject

With regards to Religion, I wasn't sent to church when I was a kid either. My wife was brought up Catholic but when she turned 16 she chose not to attend church. Since, our local church which we attended has just been so great, she now considers herself Christian, not Catholic. It's just so modern, so welcoming and...interesting!

I just think, those more articulate amongst us are able to live sociable and decent lives, but unfortunately, those who are not capable of it used to be once controlled by the fear and wrath of God. (or more importantly, those within the church going community who might disaprove of their behaviour and attitude!)