Black Rain

[Snow Crash]

"I was 10 when the B-29 came. My family lived underground for three days. We when came up the city was gone. Then the heat brought rain. Black rain. You made the rain black, and shoved your values down our throats. We forgot who we were. You created Sato and thousands like him. I'm paying you back."

Just in case you have never seen the movie Black Rain, its about a New York detective who gets caught up in a Yakuza hit in NYC, and winds up getting involved in a mob war on the streets of Osaka. The above speech is by a man named Sugai, an Oyabun who, as you can guess, lived in either Nagasaki or Hiroshima when the atomic bombs were dropped. He sees his actions as taking revenge on the US for what has happened to Japan.

The question is, what will the children of today think about what is going on now when they come of age? Countries covered in depleted uranium, the flames of terrorism fanned, narco-warfare being conducted on nations deemed to be unpopular, unchecked pollution caused by corporate greed and political complicity, widespread injustice against the have-nots perpetrated by the haves from behind their walls of armed thugs and bullshit laws. Are the next generation destined to be a generation littered with revolutionaries, criminals with motives beyond money, people with very little to lose but with the satisfaction of vengeance as the ultimate prize?

[Pam]

Sadly, my view of the kids today... they don't care :(

[Snow Crash]

Sadly, my view of the kids today... they don't care :(

Care about what though? Care about what you care about? Care about society tells them to care about? I mean, I know kinda what you're getting at, but not all kids are as they are protrayed as in the media. Some just have different priorities.

[Pam]

Care about what though? Care about what you care about? Care about society tells them to care about? I mean, I know kinda what you're getting at, but not all kids are as they are protrayed as in the media. Some just have different priorities.

Yes and yes!

The ones I know, my kids and their friends and my friends kids, they really don't seem to even want to know what is going on in the world.

I think it is my generations fault "baby boomer" we coddled them too much and now their priorities is "self".

[Snow Crash]

Yes and yes!

The ones I know, my kids and their friends and my friends kids, they really don't seem to even want to know what is going on in the world.

I think it is my generations fault "baby boomer" we coddled them too much and now their priorities is "self".

I think its a bit of a blanket statement tbh. I know 'boomers' who have brought their kids up to be good young people. I also know boomers who were the selfish ones, and their kids saw the parents as an example of what not to do. It's certainly not a black and white sitch.

[Alessandra]

it's funny, the only reason we're taught "me" is because all the boomers I've met....only care about themselves. So guess who we learn it from?

[Snow Crash]

it's funny, the only reason we're taught "me" is because all the boomers I've met....only care about themselves. So guess who we learn it from?

"Greed ... is good" - Michael Douglas, Wall Street

[Pam]

it's funny, the only reason we're taught "me" is because all the boomers I've met....only care about themselves. So guess who we learn it from?

Hmmm, most I know "my friends anyway" are caring more about others.

When I talk to my kids about the Gulf Oil Leak, they don't seem to be interested in hearing what is happening. I don't know if they just don't care or don't want to talk about negative stuff but they just don't appear to be interested in the effects it will have??

I coddled my kids, would always drive them places because I would worry about them walking, always knew where they were and who they were with, helped them with their schoolwork, took them to their sports, got them involved in things.... hockey, soccer, karate etc.

When I was growing up it was so different, my parent were way more laid back than I am.

My kids are well balanced and good kids, they just don't seem to care about anything other than hanging with their friends it seems.

[Alessandra]

and my parents only care about themselves. They still berate me on how I live my life, and my own mother continues to insinuate I will not live long. She used to tell me I would never get a bf or a husband because I keep my room a little messy. etc etc etc. All she does is yell at me. She demands I pay her, although me and my dad were the only ones to hold down a job... etc etc. I see it a lot at work too.

[Snow Crash]

Hmmm, most I know "my friends anyway" are caring more about others.

When I talk to my kids about the Gulf Oil Leak, they don't seem to be interested in hearing what is happening. I don't know if they just don't care or don't want to talk about negative stuff but they just don't appear to be interested in the effects it will have??

I coddled my kids, would always drive them places because I would worry about them walking, always knew where they were and who they were with, helped them with their schoolwork, took them to their sports, got them involved in things.... hockey, soccer, karate etc.

When I was growing up it was so different, my parent were way more laid back than I am.

My kids are well balanced and good kids, they just don't seem to care about anything other than hanging with their friends it seems.

How old are they, if you don't mind me asking? Some peopel start to care when they hit their later teens.

And as I said in the OP, this is about when these kids come of age. Will they become criminals in the eyes of their parents because they don't live by the rules of their parents? Will they seek revenge on the systems that have fucked over the entire planet?

[Alessandra]

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the title of the thread made me do it

[Snow Crash]

EwTZ2xpQwpA

the title of the thread made me do it

That's wholly disruptive. You may need to be punished.

[Alessandra]

promise or a threat

[Snow Crash]

Wouldn't you like to know ^_^

[Alessandra]

Oh, I would. But the surprise is even better amirite

[Snow Crash]

Exactleh

[FancyFree]

I think it's an age/maturity thing. When i was a teenager i wasn't worried or thinking about worldly affairs. My whole life revolved around my family, my friends and my riding. THAT'S it. And i think that's probably a pretty normal thing for young people. I think the realization that there's life beyond your own little sphere of influence comes with age and maturity, generally speaking of course. :)

[FancyFree]

Don't get me started on the respect issue though with today's young people. lol

[Pam]

How old are they, if you don't mind me asking? Some peopel start to care when they hit their later teens.

And as I said in the OP, this is about when these kids come of age. Will they become criminals in the eyes of their parents because they don't live by the rules of their parents? Will they seek revenge on the systems that have fucked over the entire planet?

Youngest 19 and oldest 24. My oldest just bought his own Condo with his own money, I did help furnish though :D

[Snow Crash]

I think it's an age/maturity thing. When i was a teenager i wasn't worried or thinking about worldly affairs. My whole life revolved around my family, my friends and my riding. THAT'S it. And i think that's probably a pretty normal thing for young people. I think the realization that there's life beyond your own little sphere of influence comes with age and maturity, generally speaking of course. :)

So do you think the children of tomorrow will have a lot of axes to grind, considering the way the current ruling generation are behaving?

[Snow Crash]

Don't get me started on the respect issue though with today's young people. lol

Respect is earned. You can be old and still be a dickwad. I've almost always recieved respect from young people when I have given it.

In the British media I have noticed a steady demonisation of the nation's youth. The fastest, surest way to alienate them. That's of course not excusing some of the right little bastards that run amuk making people's lives a misery.

[Pam]

and my parents only care about themselves. They still berate me on how I live my life, and my own mother continues to insinuate I will not live long. She used to tell me I would never get a bf or a husband because I keep my room a little messy. etc etc etc. All she does is yell at me. She demands I pay her, although me and my dad were the only ones to hold down a job... etc etc. I see it a lot at work too.

I am really sorry to hear that, I can tell just by your posts here that you are a very kind and smart caring person.

Hopefully one day they will see the good in you that others see.

Messy is no big deal!!

[Alessandra]

I HAZ NO RESPEKT 4 DEM OLD PEEPZA

[FancyFree]

So do you think the children of tomorrow will have a lot of axes to grind, considering the way the current ruling generation are behaving?

Yes. Especially since power, corruption and greed seem to be the ruling factors nowadays.

[Snow Crash]

Yes. Especially since power, corruption and greed seem to be the ruling factors nowadays.

So do you see them becoming outlaws in the eyes of their parents? Do you see them taking action?

[Lexion]

I HAZ NO RESPEKT 4 DEM OLD PEEPZA

You respect me, as I do you.

Yes ?

[FancyFree]

Respect is earned. You can be old and still be a dickwad. I've almost always recieved respect from young people when I have given it.

In the British media I have noticed a steady demonisation of the nation's youth. The fastest, surest way to alienate them. That's of course not excusing some of the right little bastards that run amuk making people's lives a misery.

In general, i disagree. Of course there are good and excellent kids out there, and i'm not saying that kids nowadays are totally bad, it just seems like they don't have the same respect for themselves or others that previous generations had. And i think it's a combination of a lot of things as to why it's like this now. Media, parents who both work, school system....etc, etc. Society is just different now. A lot of things are less taboo then ever before too.

[FancyFree]

So do you see them becoming outlaws in the eyes of their parents? Do you see them taking action?

I don't know, what do u think, Snow??

[Snow Crash]

In general, i disagree. Of course there are good and excellent kids out there, and i'm not saying that kids nowadays are totally bad, it just seems like they don't have the same respect for themselves or others that previous generations had. And i think it's a combination of a lot of things as to why it's like this now. Media, parents who both work, school system....etc, etc. Society is just different now. A lot of things are less taboo then ever before too.

Of course, their environment has a large part to play. I just don't agree that all kids are disrespectful all the time.

I do agree a lot of modern children have issues with self respect. Again, when you are told constantly by the media that you are inadequate, what do you expect. The lucky few who realise what a crock of shit that is though are likely to add it to their list of gripes.

[Alessandra]

you do realize i was being sarcastic, right lex?

[Snow Crash]

I don't know, what do u think, Snow??

I think a lot of them are already criminals/troublemakers in the eyes of the older generation.

[FancyFree]

I think a lot of them are already criminals/troublemakers in the eyes of the older generation.

Fair enough. :) I don't see them as that though.

[Snow Crash]

Fair enough. :) I don't see them as that though.

Well, that's why I said the older generation in a general term. I am acutely aware that not all people of that gen feel that way. There does seem to be though, as I said, a steady demonization of the youth.

[FancyFree]

Well, that's why I said the older generation in a general term. I am acutely aware that not all people of that gen feel that way. There does seem to be though, as I said, a steady demonization of the youth.

There's always been a demonization of youth to some extent though. Older generations just don't understand the younger ones and vice versa.

[Pam]

In general I see kids of this generation being good, I don't see them as degenerates, they just don't seem to care as much as I thought they would/should.

Seems my generation has more guilt.

[Ima Nasshole]

Like most socially unaware grown-ups, kids only care about the world in which "they" live, as it should be. They rarely give thought to the roof over their heads, the food in their tummies, etc... And as a parent, at what age do you decide to handicap them with those stress-ors?

We don't live in a "perfect world", and if we did I highly doubt we could all agree on a universal definition of the word "perfect". If society ever decided and agreed to licensing procreation then I think we'd all have a shot at perfect. lol!

"Utter amazement" is the only way to describe some of the parents I come into contact with. One only needs to spend about 30 minutes at Walmart to get a snapshot of todays "modern family". As it should, everything starts at home, and only if you're a fool would you ever allow the public school system to be your child's main source of information, and/or how to process it.

Snow, unfortunately the children of tomorrow are handicapped by the parents of today. The children of today receive zero ethical instruction, and despite what we say, the proof is in our actions. It's the proverbial "do as I say, not as I do" mentality that sets the example. And I hesitate to say anything about morality, considering the diabolical things we do today in the name of "morality". Our generation needs to take a good long look in the mirror, embrace our children for who they are, beg them for forgiveness, and then take mass action to correct our indiscretions.

We can only hope our children see through the bullshit and persevere despite the state of the world we leave them.

The greatest generation in history handed the baton to the hippie, yippie, yuppie generation of the ’60s and ’70s, which in the '80's turned into the greediest, most morally bankrupt group of miscreants America has ever known. The revolutionaries of the '60 and '70's championed everything that was wrong with the country, but when they finally reached power they were so woefully inept and too slow to act. You want proof? Google "Katrina"...

[skunk]

Are the next generation destined to be a generation littered with revolutionaries, criminals with motives beyond money, people with very little to lose but with the satisfaction of vengeance as the ultimate prize?

One can only hope. We need a change.

[Ducky]

Good post!

It's WHATS GOING ON SO FAR MAN
tthere it is man...

[Alessandra]

Good post!

It's WHATS GOING ON SO FAR MAN
tthere it is man...

Ducks?

[Lexion]

She went around the bend.

[anarch]

The question is, what will the children of today think about what is going on now when they come of age? Countries covered in depleted uranium, the flames of terrorism fanned, narco-warfare being conducted on nations deemed to be unpopular, unchecked pollution caused by corporate greed and political complicity, widespread injustice against the have-nots perpetrated by the haves from behind their walls of armed thugs and bullshit laws. Are the next generation destined to be a generation littered with revolutionaries, criminals with motives beyond money, people with very little to lose but with the satisfaction of vengeance as the ultimate prize?

I'll Tell you what I thought when I came of age and saw the bullshit of the world for what it was.

I wondered why my parents had not rebelled. I was bitter towards their generation for not doing what ever it took to prevent the current circumstances. I took up my spray paint and started tagging schools and gun shops, and fraternal buildings with political messages. I passed out flyers and DVDs. Then I started going to meetings of the like minded. I even met Randy Weaver personally.

And after a time things made more sense. My bitterness towards the previous generation abated. I learned I could not change the world myself unless I was willing to spend my life and even at that my life might not buy the changes I wish for the world. I learned that folks were only willing to go so far but not any farther than that. And that is how the frog boils. The next generations line in the sand will be even farther from ours. And we simple peasants will bear the enterprise corruption of the "Haves" one generation at a time unless the make a mistake and go to far like with the French and American revolution.

In modern times making a mistake is even harder for the "elites" because the distracting circus is in our living room. And even if we can not afford to pay for the ticket price of this digital circus we still lack the hardships of previous generations. Electricity has made the masses soft on moral convictions if favor of modern convenience like electricity at the flip of a switch or clean reliable plumbing at the turn of a knob. In the end the masses whind up paying for their life of ease with their liberty with complete abandon to their social obligations for supporting psychotic governments with tax monies.

What can be done?

As an educated person, the best I can figure is to withdraw. I have my spot in the rural area still. A spot I plan to go back to after our baby is born god willing. I know I am willing to do all that I can to work the the change I wish to see. But I do not see others willing to work with me. And until I do I must to the best work I can as I see it.

[Snow Crash]

A fitting tune to bump this thread with:

To7vSCM5GaQ

[Snow Crash]

I'll Tell you what I thought when I came of age and saw the bullshit of the world for what it was.

I wondered why my parents had not rebelled. I was bitter towards their generation for not doing what ever it took to prevent the current circumstances. I took up my spray paint and started tagging schools and gun shops, and fraternal buildings with political messages. I passed out flyers and DVDs. Then I started going to meetings of the like minded. I even met Randy Weaver personally.

And after a time things made more sense. My bitterness towards the previous generation abated. I learned I could not change the world myself unless I was willing to spend my life and even at that my life might not buy the changes I wish for the world. I learned that folks were only willing to go so far but not any farther than that. And that is how the frog boils. The next generations line in the sand will be even farther from ours. And we simple peasants will bear the enterprise corruption of the "Haves" one generation at a time unless the make a mistake and go to far like with the French and American revolution.

In modern times making a mistake is even harder for the "elites" because the distracting circus is in our living room. And even if we can not afford to pay for the ticket price of this digital circus we still lack the hardships of previous generations. Electricity has made the masses soft on moral convictions if favor of modern convenience like electricity at the flip of a switch or clean reliable plumbing at the turn of a knob. In the end the masses whind up paying for their life of ease with their liberty with complete abandon to their social obligations for supporting psychotic governments with tax monies.

What can be done?

As an educated person, the best I can figure is to withdraw. I have my spot in the rural area still. A spot I plan to go back to after our baby is born god willing. I know I am willing to do all that I can to work the the change I wish to see. But I do not see others willing to work with me. And until I do I must to the best work I can as I see it.

I can see a lot of what you say here Anarch, but one crucial factor is the change of ages. The Space Age is now the Information Age. Don't count out the future just yet.

[Snow Crash]

-BKDY69XgyU

[century]

Assistant Director of the Port of San Diego admitted to a KGTV reporter that officials have found, in the past, weapons of "mass effect." A public affairs official interrupted the officer during the interview saying they would provide more information later, but the Department of Homeland Security, responding 23 days later, said the officer was "confused" and "nervous".

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