Although there are some things I miss about the older generation, mostly I was contemptuous of their ways. Particularly I didn’t like their pretentiousness in social discourse. The falseness ran deep and seemed to permeate right across the social spectrum. It must have influenced the quality of their intimate relationships too.

Good will appeared to be always at hand as every one was there for everyone else. But closer examination showed that not to be the case. Politeness could be taken to the point of insincerity. Genuine concern for others was usually limited to pleasantries. I recall stark cases of people offering stuff with no intention of delivering, I suppose they did that just to get the apparent kudos that came from appearing to be helpful. If you were ever to take them up they would be horrified and make a slippery exit.

This new generation, hardly more admirable in its ways, is at least true to its selfish ends. Most people my age and younger offer nothing. All efforts and energies are channelled into their own patch. Their relationship to the world is about what they can take from it before what they can give. An investment is made only to the extent of  immediate interests. There is no vision here beyond personal needs. Although I hate this too, in the longer term it’s probably better as it may bring with it a more realistic view of how humans are.