Expectations in a changing culture

[Ruger Rich]

What do you expect from a generation that can't fix common kitchen appliances, change a tire or make anything but an "I don't know" shrug with their hands...

Because they have cell phones to call for help or dial up a U=Tube video to show them how.

 

[CLT65]

Because they have cell phones to call for help or dial up a U=Tube video to show them how.

That's not just millennials. I'll admit, I use youtube all the time when I'm working on something. Changing a timing belt on a Toyota Sienna? Yup, it's on there. Saved me a bundle, but boy was that a lot of work...

 

[FortRock]

In defense of the younger generations, I will say that I know some young people who are just as hard-working and resourceful as anyone I've ever met. They were raised right and make their parents proud.

Unfortunately I think they're outnumbered by the over-indulged, self-entitled type. The culture creates this, but ultimately it's the parents' fault.
You know the memes:

"We're going to change the world!"
(You couldn't change a flat tire!)

"We're going to start a revolution!"
(You couldn't start a lawnmower!)

When you say younger generation, what age group are you referencing. It is a rather broad generalization. I believe that where, by whom, what their experiences were, what expectations surrounded them, dramatically effect the outcome and preparedness for a successful and meaningful life. I know six of the hard-working kind, but I agree....they seem outnumbered and isolated in their own time. Great thread.

 

[DB is Here]

That's not just millennials. I'll admit, I use youtube all the time when I'm working on something. Changing a timing belt on a Toyota Sienna? Yup, it's on there. Saved me a bundle, but boy was that a lot of work...

It's smart to learn from others and wisdom is gained by teaching others.

 

[FortRock]

i'm actually an engineer and machinist for a body jewelry company, all of our employees, as well as the owner are full of tattoos, piercings, horn implants, etc. So yes, our 'kind' does employ our 'kind'. So does, oh, say, the post office. Our mail carrier has 1.5" ear lobes full of our product. and it has no bearing on how useful or productive we are. In fact, most of the griping about running a small business in pdx seem to come from the clean cut reserved looking folks. I don't know how they run businesses, but we're doing great, despite the tidepod diet, and having to abandon and give up cars with flat tires.

I could make a list just as long about how unless and/or unproductive boomers are in this day and age, but it's not very helpful to anything.

Edit - also, the shop owner with said sub-dermal implants, uses an entire shipping container as his gun safe, and would consider himself a democratic socialist.

so ....like.....is the shop owner Antifa? Because I don't know of any "Democrat Socialists" that approve of gun ownership. Unless the individual is on a crusade to remove guns from circulation.

 

[FortRock]

no, vets just deal with their emotions in a healthy, non-suicidal way....

uh.....let's see.....22/day.... Serious A&D issues broken marriages inability to maintain employment and intimate relationships.....hmmmmm

 

[CLT65]

When you say younger generation, what age group are you referencing. It is a rather broad generalization. I believe that where, by whom, what their experiences were, what expectations surrounded them, dramatically effect the outcome and preparedness for a successful and meaningful life. I know six of the hard-working kind, but I agree....they seem outnumbered and isolated in their own time. Great thread.

I was thinking specifically of a couple brothers I know, early 30s, sons of a friend of mine. They're hard working and industrious. They're both busy building businesses (separately) and raising families. They have land, animals, heavy equipment.

I have a couple nephews, also around that age, who both went into the service right out of high school. One joined the Marine Corps and trained as a sniper. The other, not wanting to be outdone by his older brother, joined the Army Rangers. Both served overseas and grew up in a hurry. Last I heard they're both doing well, working hard and raising families.

I have two other nephews, cousins of the first two and also around the same age, who are total losers. They had all the advantages and opportunities, but threw it all away, becoming lazy, pot-headed losers. They're both huge disappointments to their parents, who unfortunately coddled and enabled them for way too long.

Then there are my kids. They're young yet; my oldest just started driving. I'm doing my very best to raise them right, teach them the value of work and how to think for themselves instead of following the crowd.

 

[TTSX]

Or even better, GARAND THUMB!
I think every red blooded American male of the species should be required to show his Garand Thumb as a part of his Man card issuance, he must show his thumb on demand to prove his qualifications of manhood!

Is this getting bit by the reciprocating bolt? Only shot a garand once, but I did get smacked by the bolt/charging handle on a Barrett. That one left a mark.

 

[Kruel J]

View attachment 637835

I edited my post to remove anything that could be misunderstood as such.

 

[Ura-Ki]

Is this getting bit by the reciprocating bolt? Only shot a garand once, but I did get smacked by the bolt/charging handle on a Barrett. That one left a mark.

YUP, It's ain't no Joke!

 

[awshoot]

I thought a geology degree was useful, turns out, its not, unless you're interested in oil fields and their associated culture.... which I couldn't be farther from, regardless of the money. I did happened to pick up CAD/CAM and CNC milling because my employer was willing to teach me, and I'm thankful for that. Kinda wish I did it from the get go though.

I wish I'd known about that stuff decades ago too. I get to do this as a hobby but it would have been an interesting job. Right now I'm milling out parts for a Christmas gift for friends -- some parts done with a CNC router, others with a laser cutter my friend owns, 3d printed parts, an arduino/sensors and the associated programming -- even CNCed the circuit board that holds it all together. It's loud here in my garage right now, but it's fun too.

 

[CLT65]

Believe it or not, I've never actually experienced the dreaded M1 thumb, and I have several M1s. I've fired many, many rounds through them, but I did have a very painful experience once, long ago, with a surplus Egyptian Hakim, so I'm quite careful around such things now.

I'm of the opinion that "Hakim thumb" is every bit as bad, maybe worse than, M1 thumb. (ouch)

 

[WoodsPlinker]

As someone who likes bruisers I'm not so sure age has anything to do with it.

I've heard plenty of older gentleman complain about shooting the 44magnum, then I got one and got confused.

It's a little more pop then my other pistols but nothing near the hype and complaints I heard about shooting it. In fact I was a little dissapointed. It's got me wanting a 50 S&W magnum but then because of all the hype I've heard on it hurting your hand it's got me not getting one.

Can anyone who finds the 44mag comfortable to shoot tell me if the 50 S&W isn't that bad? Like if I feel a 44magnum blasts like a kitten am I gonna cry shooting a 50 S&W magnum?

30-06 knocked the wind out of me until I realized I wasn't supposed to shoulder it in my chest.

I think as far as rifle goes that's about as big of a blast as I'm comfortable with.... Although a 300 winmag looks interesting, and if I had the money for ammo a 50BMG I would probably do.

 

[Ura-Ki]

Oh, yea, those can really bite ya good!

 

[arisaka]

If you have a masters degree and are making minimum wage, you chose the wrong Degree. Whose fault is that?

 

[CLT65]

As someone who likes bruisers I'm not so sure age has anything to do with it.

I've heard plenty of older gentleman complain about shooting the 44magnum, then I got one and got confused.

It's a little more pop then my other pistols but nothing near the hype and complaints I heard about shooting it. In fact I was a little dissapointed. It's got me wanting a 50 S&W magnum but then because of all the hype I've heard on it hurting your hand it's got me not getting one.

Can anyone who finds the 44mag comfortable to shoot tell me if the 50 S&W isn't that bad? Like if I feel a 44magnum blasts like a kitten am I gonna cry shooting a 50 S&W magnum?

30-06 knocked the wind out of me until I realized I wasn't supposed to shoulder it in my chest.

I think as far as rifle goes that's about as big of a blast as I'm comfortable with.... Although a 300 winmag looks interesting, and if I had the money for ammo a 50BMG I would probably do.

You're a manly man if you think a .44 Mag is a kitten! I've been a .44 mag fan for a very long time, and own multiple S&W 29s, but as my hands get older I enjoy shooting the big guns less and less. I still shoot them, but a half box of full-magnum loads and I move on to smaller guns for the day. I've loaded and shot a LOT of .44 mag ammo in my time.

I've shot a few rounds out of a friend's .500 S&W. It really wasn't that bad, probably due to it's size and weight, and the muzzle brake. If I had money to burn, I'd probably buy one.

The worst kicking handguns I've ever fired were: 1. Ruger .480 Magnum (ouch), and 2. S&W 329 .44 Mag (double ouch). I have my man-card already, and don't really enjoy that kind of pain anymore.

 

[CLT65]

Speaking of M1 thumb and such: has anyone here ever had "SKS thumb"? You get it when you remove the trigger group from your SKS, and think "What does this do?" as you press down on that little disconnector lever in front of the hammer...

For anyone who's never done that, you end up with a painful blood blister under your thumbnail. It's not fun.

 

[Hueco]

Long stick go boom.... someone stole my baby from the room!

It was so fast, faster than I can go,
It was so fast, I named it dingo

 

[No_Regerts]

I'm only 32, so a different generation than a lot of you guys...we're too busy working minimum wage with a masters degree, trying to buy insanely inflated property, so we don't die on a sidewalk somewhere.

I'm glad I missed the troubles of today's youth! I'm 36 and grew up in a more prosperous time! A time where a kid could make $40 to $50k in their first year of full time employment just by doing things that people need and things people didn't wanna do for their selves! Crazy concept! Maybe working hard doubles that income before long?

Where a young man could marry a nice young woman by merely listening, responding thoughtfully, having manners, ambition, and goals (JOB = sexy)! A time where a couple could define common goals and save money and advance in their careers by showing some servitude, some gratitude, preparing with aptitude, and separate yourselves from the multitudes! All before 30!

Where a combined household income and smart money decisions and the delay of gratification could eventually net you a home, nice vehicles, boats, all the guns you can shoot! Especially when things get cheap during a recession! (Recession-proof jobs are nice).

A lot happened in the four years between when I was born and when you were born! Sorry people in your generation missed that boat by such a narrow margin!

BUT...a new era of prosperity is upon us. My 24 year old nephew did a little research and realized baby boomers were aging into nursing homes.....so he got a degree in healthcare management (not as interesting as Sociology or Feminist Studies) and makes $96k a year, all on his own! Since he watches the census, he knows that the glut of old boomers will eventually go dry and he'll use his management experience and continued education in another area of healthcare!

You just have to be willing to work hard, have some foresight, and put up with inconvenience like commuting or not spending $7 on a latte or $20 on beard wax, or thousands (!) of dollars in visible tattoos. Craft beer isn't necessary and no one wants to hire someone with a liberal arts degree (even from a non-resident or private school, you just paid more for it).

 

[No_Regerts]

A lot of mildly to full on complaining boomers in this thread.

As a millennial gun guy, I'll say.

Go back to drinking your Olvaltine, shooting your fat slow 45acp in your 100 year old outdated 1911.

How much you wanna bet that the 1911 design will continue on long after the keltec pimple dries up, scabs up, and disappears?