The generation gap barrier/frustration

[Chloe]

I was thinking about this earlier today and was wondering what some of you guys may think, and I'm going to try and get this thought out of my head to where it makes sense but if I struggle then I struggle. Ok so the average age of members of congress is probably somewhere in their 60's I would think and with that average age most of them probably do things in a way that they've always done it and most likely won't change their way of thinking since most people don't change once they get that old or past a certain age.

If that generation holds the most political power and controls the current direction of the country from top to bottom then what are the most effective ways for a newer generation to bridge that gap or have more real influence? The best example I can give, and I guess we will see where this goes, but for example, Bob is 76 years old, I am 21 years old, that's a 55 year difference....55 years! It's kind of crazy to think about in my opinion. So if Bob were in a position of political power, say an elected official, and I were not in a position of power then in my personal opinion it would be all but impossible for someone of my age and of my generation to persuade a 76 year old to see things in a different way so much so that he votes differently or supports something that he typically would not have supported if left to his own devices.

Should I have to wait another 10-20-30 years for my generation to have power along with my voice? Should a 21 year old (any 21 year old) that is interested in making the country a better place be dependent on influencing generations that are out of touch with your own generation? Should we have to wait until they retire (assuming they didn't pretty much already hand pick a successor of like mind)?

I didn't have an answer for myself. It was just a thought brought on by the very real and frustrating fact that even on here the generation gap is sooooooooooo obvious between a lot of members of polar ages that basic agreement is hard enough to come by on many topics. It just sparked my curiosity I guess you could say. Anyway, so yeah.

FYI this is not about Bob, I just used him as an example since I know his age and since the comparison between he and I helps show my point a little better I think.

[Mac-7]

Why should Bob with experience and wisdom follow the urges of a 20 something who has neither?

[Chloe]

Why should Bob with experience and wisdom follow the urges of a 20 something who has neither?

Keep in mind it's not about Bob, I just used him as an example since I know his age. And to answer your question because at no point in life do we stop learning. Just because you have experience and wisdom does not mean you can't be wrong or that someone with less experience and wisdom can't think of a better way than what you have thought of. My question is how does someone of my age convince someone of Bobs age of that sort of new wisdom, that you can't stop gaining wisdom regardless of the source and regardless of your age? Does that make sense?

[The Xl]

Why should Bob with experience and wisdom follow the urges of a 20 something who has neither?

Experience doesn't necessarily bring wisdom, and experience without wisdom and intelligence means next to nothing

[Peter1469]

Different generations have different perspectives on life and the world. I wouldn't think much deeper than that.

[Chloe]

Different generations have different perspectives on life and the world. I wouldn't think much deeper than that.

Right, I know that, but my question is how does a younger generation influence the established older generation when they are so different? If someone of Bobs age is in a position of true political power then my voice is basically useless when it comes to influencing change through him/his generation. How can that be changed? How does a 21 year old influence a 70 year old to do something that he/she doesn't want to do, doesn't know how to do, or can't even think of what it is that I am asking him to do? It's a relevant question in my opinion.

[The Xl]

Really though, older people alone shouldn't be running things by themselves and imposing their will on everyone else.

[del]

intelligent people of any age are open to new ideas and ways of doing things.

[Peter1469]

Right, I know that, but my question is how does a younger generation influence the established older generation when they are so different? If someone of Bobs age is in a position of true political power then my voice is basically useless when it comes to influencing change through him/his generation. How can that be changed? How does a 21 year old influence a 70 year old to do something that he/she doesn't want to do, doesn't know how to do, or can't even think of what it is that I am asking him to do? It's a relevant question in my opinion.

You likely will rarely ever influence them.

Why try? They will be dead soon anyway.

[Chloe]

Actually maybe I should be asking @Bob. Bob, you are 76, I am 21. You have been on this planet 55 years longer than I have been. I'm positive that you are set in your ways when it comes to a lot of different things, right? and that there are many things that you would not ever want to see changed that would result in it being out of your comfort zone or scope of knowledge, right? So how would I go about convincing you that my idea is a good idea if that idea of mine takes you out of the box that you've been in for decades? How does a 21 year old influence you into changing your mind on something that you have been firm on for years on end? (FYI, i'm not saying you are closed minded, that you are in a box, or that you don't have good ideas. I'm just asking questions with no bad intentions.)