Battle of the Generations

I had some friends over from interstate and during the various meals, drinks and socialising our discussions turned to the generational differences we are experiencing.

And by contributing to this discussion, I finally believe I have gotten older, because I agreed with a lot of what was said.

Most of this group are older than me (hence my enjoyment at hanging out with them because I am one of the youngest) and they are now in positions of management and responsibility. Be it as a senior in their profession or in middle management. So they are responsible for teaching new graduates and junior staff.

The biggest gripe I heard was about Generation Y, those that are born between 1980 and 1995. Sadly I do not fall into that Gen Y category as I am an X, those born between 1960 and 1979, we are the post baby boomer society.

These days there is talk of Generation Z i.e.) the kids that are currently up and coming.

But back to my friends and our discourse over lunches. The main complaint that people have about the Gen Y’s is that they want the big salaries, they want the status and the position BUT they simply won’t do the work.

Basically they want to be superstars but get there easily.

They are too preoccupied with getting what they think they deserved but have failed to realise they need to work for it. They will only do the work they want and won’t do anything meaningless because it was not in their job description.
We all hate doing meaningless things that are not part of our job, but in the workforce it is a requirement. This is how you learn how to become multi skilled. Added to this is that a number of my friends complained about the poor written skills.

Another major gripe is that they lack written and satisfactory communication skills. While they are confident, they do not know how to talk to the baby boomer generation or how to conduct themselves properly. Sadly, a lot of them appear to now want to learn how to write better. Heck, I was a terrible writer especially with report and my grammar was poor, but I learnt and hope it has improved a little (I know this blog has evidence which contradicts that statement).

The Gen Y’ers have a lot of self belief and confidence and that most likely stemmed from society. Over the last decades we have seen a shift towards a classless society, where children are told there are no barriers and anyone can get anywhere.

That is a great message and good that it happened. But the bit about the hardwork seems to have been lost in the message.

Also the X’ers had a recession to go through, so mum and dad did not have a lot of money so we learnt to save and make do with what we have. No Ipods, Internet, X-Box or Cable TV. We learnt to play sport and make our own fun.

Further, we have seen the rise of the instant celebrity and this is mainly due to the media. People like Paris Hilton have become insanely well know because they are rich or made some questionable videos.

So the kids seem the glam and want to get it, they see these people get the star treatment by not doing much, so they aspire for it.

All the Y’ers. Just do a little hard work and you will be right.

Let us hope that the Z’s learn and work a little harder and smarter. While saving the world at the same time.

Ponderings

I have always wondered about Adam and Eve.

As I am not Christian I am not very informed about what happens after these two came to the world. I know there was something about them having two sons and one killing the other. That is about it.

After that, I gather that they went forth and multiplied and we are now a planet containing 6 billion people.

Now I can explain why we have people of different colours, physical characteristics and languages because people spread forth over the world and over hundreds of years, they physical features adapted to the surrounding area they lived in and their languages evolved.

But the part between Adam and Eve to people spreading around the world is what I have always questioned.

If they were the first two people on Earth and had two sons, how did they procreate? Where did the women come from? IF Eve also had daughters, then her sons and daughters would have to get together to populate the world. Right??? After all they would be the only people in the world.

Maybe I would have the knowledge if I paid attention during conversion, I mean, Religion classes during my primary school days. But unfortunately I do not so if anyone can clear this up for me I would be most appreciative.

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Hope everyone's Xmas was fun or fun filled. Melbourne certainly experienced a somewhat strange Xmas day. It actually snowed here!

You may say that Xmas equates to snow but listen up, it is summer here downunder (or that is what the rumours are). So some parts of Melbourne had a white Xmas. Unfortunately we were not so lucky, we were pelted with hail and rain.

Was pretty miserable but it was also cold, like a winters day!

We live in crazy times!

Yesterday was boxing day and that means Cricket tests and sales, the latter of which we partook in. We started out at 7am standing outside a major department store and once the doors opened we began an 8 hour shopping odyssey. I am glad to report we made it through although I was exhausted. but i out bought Metria!

YAY

One person's freedom fighter is another person's terrorist

The Australian media has been taking up the case of freeing David Hicks from Guantanamo bay where he is being held as a prisoner of war by the USA of A. Particularly they have made an issue that his human rights have been violated and he should be treated like an Australian.

Mr Hicks is in this predicament after being caught with fighting for the Taliban army which was engaging American forces shortly after the 9/11 attack.

I have to clarify that he was fighting for the Taliban army NOT against them.

The media says that he should be brought back here to face an Australian court. While these sentiments are noble, they have the wrong person.

While I am not a fan of the US/Australian/British war of terror on Iraq, David Hicks does not deserve to be brought back. That is my opinion on this matter.

After all, he went to fight with the bad guys. He is the mercenary who decided to ply his trade for the Taliban and he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Remember he was out there looking to kill and hurt people. His bad call so he has to live with the decision and not hope for someone to fly in and save him. He lost his right to be an Australian when he decided to fight against his fellow countrymen.

However, one thing I do wholeheartedly oppose is the abuse and inhumane treatment of prisoners. Sure they have done the wrong thing but to treat them worse than animals is uncalled for and indecent.

I think the media’s intentions are in the right place but they have focused on the wrong person. There are other people in the world which deserved to be freed from incarceration and the focus should be put on them. People like the Dalai Lama, children who are used as slaves to facilitate the mega corporations, and women abused by scared, small minded and insecure men deserve this type of focus and attention.

Many years ago, the worldwide media focussed their attention towards Robben Island which held a great man unjustly. After years of ignoring his plight, the international family (finally) focussed its attention towards this backward hole and this occupant. Eventually this worldwide pressure forced the South African government to free this man.

Eventually, it was acknowledged that he was being unjustly imprisoned for being an alleged terrorist when all that he wanted (or was fighting for) was for all South Africans to be afforded the same opportunities, the rights to the basic nees, education and the right to vote . This person was Nelson Mandela, a hero of mine who greatly helped the process of righting the wrongs of South Africa.

But sadly, with David Hicks this story has been picked up for the wrong reasons by the media and politicians, once again they are making a big deal of the wrong thing.