The Old Generation versus the New Generation: What's it all about?
Ranger Bob
To begin this article, I start with an anecdote:
A very self-opinionated school age student at a recent football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his own.
"You grew up in a different, actually almost primitive, world," the student said loud enough for the whole crowd to hear. "We young people today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars...We even have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing ....and uh.."
Taking advantage of a pause for breath in the student's litany, the "wizened" one said, "You're right, Son. We didn't have those things when we were young........so we invented them......you arrogant idiot!!
Now......what are you doing for the next generation??"
I have been increasingly disturbed about this widening rift between the "older" generation of players and what is now increasingly being called the "newer" generation. I'm sure people understand what I mean.
There are the 'old folks' who were here for the RW, helped free and reunite much of Australia, reestablished order when regions were returned and for that, deserve the respect (and quite rightful) adoration of the masses for their immense contribution to eAus.
Then, there are the 'upstarts' and 'newbies' who weren't here, have arrived mid-way into the return of eAus to the eAustralian people, are arrogant, seemingly (at least to the older crew) non-appreciative, always more than willing to argue with their seniors and wanting to go about changing things.
I had an epiphany about this last night - how is that different to real life?
The gererational debate has raged on before any of us were born in RL, let alone on this game. Fact is, neither side is completely right. The old people can be set in their ways, and (perceivingly) rigid by the younger, and perhaps more ignorant new player as they weren't there "back in the days". But the newer generation can have a different look on things - a new way of thinking and perhaps come up with new directions the older generation haven't thought of.
Fact is, the new players can see, but perhaps not fully understand the perspective of the old players, just like I found it hard to understand my RL grandfather when he talked of how tough it was in Melbourne back in the 1920's.
Each side will ALWAYS fail to fully and completely appreciate the side of the other...
So, how to go about correcting this old school/new school view, in a way that recognises both sides of the debate? Can we go about fixing this?
I for one am tired of the flaming and mindless debate. And yes, seriously I have considered my place in this game over the last few weeks, and whether I should bother trying to or just leave quietly - either from eAus or the game entirely. I have spoken to several people trying to understand why we can't get past the fact people should be entitled to their own opinions, and let the people as a whole decide.
I don't want to lose the vast experience, wealth of knowledge and contribution the older players can make. I don't want to lose the fresh views, committment and enthusiasm of the newer players. But, I fear we may eventually lose both, through the flaming and the failure for people to appreciate other's views.
Comments
VOTED!!!!!!!
😁^ What he said x100 😉
good article ranger
as for leaving I have felt the same way as well at times whether I want to be apart of the community that abuses each other, a far cry from the 'good ol days'. I know I'm not innocent but I sure as hell dont start it.
Voted.
So...when did the old generation end and the new generation start? Obviously, sometime after we regained independence...maybe after the Presidency of Zaney.
im making an article about the old guard.
Actually Iwarrior1, I think the "new guard" showed up about 2 or 3 months ago.
PS:
Good article. Doubt it will change anything as you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But it brings MANY good points to light.
John (Icey1174)
Obviously VOTED!!!
Mate... you have to be one of the most straight-up blokes in this game!!! I love it how you just speak it how it is!!! You have been one of the guys to look up to in this game...
Best of luck in whatever you choose to do in the near future... (hopefully it involves eAustralia in some way though)...
LEVEL9000 all the way baby!!!
Respect your elders????
Sorry, that's only if they deserve respect. How dare anybody make demands against others just because they happen to be older or here longer. Nobody deserves respect just because they happen to be older or been here longer.
I don't care if a person is 15 or 85, if they've been here 1 week or 1 year, if that person whows that he/she doesn't deserve respect in my opinion, I'm not going to show that person despect. You have no right to demand respect just because of your age or how long your been here period. Demanding such things is improper.
@ AW
Agreed. 😁
John
nice article!!
love you ranger 😉
Voted Good job!
Voted.. Awesome Job 😃
AW, the way I see it, you judge people inconsistently. You judge calibur for his past and deny him his present. For the rest of us, you deny us our past and judge us on the present.
@AW and that is why as a whole, society sucks more now (in RL) then it ever used to. Just the sheer difference between walking between melbourne and sydney streets. Melbourne has an 'older' feel to it, and people still have some respect (not everyone), but if two people walk down the street, they generally both move a little to each side to pass, thus giving each other respect... In sydney, you better be prepared to be bumping shoulders with everyone, and trust me- they ain't holding back...
Respect should be a MUTUAL thing. It should be given to everyone and not just to a select group of 'approved' people. So give respect to everyone, offer second chances and try and work as a GROUP and a NATION to help rebuild respect in ourselves and each other.
Well Said SoR
I don't like generalisations. And you make a few.
Their are many of the 'old guard' and 'new' that appear to get along fine, and many with similar ideas. To put the differences down to that is an over-simplification, although i can see where you are coming from.
In terms of the direction of eAus there are certainly some different views on where it should be headed, and for the most part these are debated graciously by both sides.
The biggest area of difference between the two factions (old and new) would appear to be the attitude toward cheating. That will not be smoothed over at any point.
Quite simply there is an element that accepts (even has sympathy for) those that cheat within the game - this is where the rift stems from and it won't go away as long as some think it's acceptable.
If you don't approve of the decisions made by the Admins then don't play the game, if you wish to play the game then abide by the rules.
Simple really.
Great Article as always Ranger.
However not all new and old fight, my personal experiance is most people in eAus do get on out of 350+ active players it is only about a hand full that continually fight and are vocal.
Don't let a handfull drive you out, the peaceful people who are working together I feel are the majority and will soon bring great things to eAus. I am certainly here for the long term.
Good Article Bob and just as a side note I would like to not be lumped withe the flaming side of the New Gen *cough* AW *cough*.
Thanks Guys
My point was more about some of the comments in several acticles across several issues (on both sides) about the old and new guard. I think the overarching point of my article is reflected in Son of Rambo's comment:
"Respect should be a MUTUAL thing. It should be given to everyone and not just to a select group of 'approved' people. So give respect to everyone, offer second chances and try and work as a GROUP and a NATION to help rebuild respect in ourselves and each other."
@AW: "Sorry, that's only if they deserve respect. How dare anybody make demands against others just because they happen to be older or here longer. Nobody deserves respect just because they happen to be older or been here longer."
Hence the reason nobody respects you right AW? Theres an old saying us oldies like to use. It goes like this:
"You catch more bees with honey than vinegar"
You came into this game like a bull at a gate. You EXPECTED everybody to RESPECT you and your knowledge and you commenced a full blown attack on them and their ways straight up. Then you cry about the way your treated. Guess what, Icey did exactly the same thing.
You both refuse to realise that us "Oldies" have seen the hard times, we lived through eAustralia under the oppression of the conqueror, and we worked our butts off to get it back, by Attacking, begging and scrapping if we had to, the only goal was to get our country back. You come along "With the country we gained" and think you know better, yet, you refuse to join the Senate and get involved. Why should any of us respect you?
Respect is a 2 way streak buddy, you blew any chance of any of the old guard truely respecting you because of your own LACK OF RESPECT. When you actually start to do that you might find you get some back. And just for the Record, some of the things you do say do actually make sense, and I do agree with you on some of the things you say, but at this point I still don't respect you because you haven't earned it, and part of that involves respecting those that have been here and have more experience than yourself.
BTW, great Article Ranger. You hit the nail right on the head.
Voted!!!!!
I am in agreement with ranger, these recent events has gotten me to consider my place in eAustralia as well.
Like xavi said above me, you definitely hit the nail!!!
Icey, people leave... always have... always will. You actually think they'd leave because of a Government? They're free to move to any eRepublik nation, just for something a little different.
I had PLENTY of ideas myself when I began... and were shot down by the then "launch" players.
Did I be a tool about it? Nope. I realised... aha, they know better... I better learn what they learn FIRST, then apply my own thinking to it.
When the other way around occurs... well they'll be shot down. Time and time again.
@Xavier : When people value online friendships above honourable conduct, they're making a statement that they don't respect or have no values.
Take Calibur for example. Before it was discovered that he was undertaking certain activities I was a supporter of him. Infact when the allegations first arose, I was very hesitant to believe them (particularly as false allegation get levied against people). However once it was clear that the allegations were true, I made the clear decision that my own sence of proper conduct was more important.
Unfortunately many "old time players" (including you Xavier) clearly don't hold such values. You support Calibur & that says alot. What it says is that you either don't respect your own values or you don't have any. Either way that's your choice.
"@Xavier : When people value online friendships above honourable conduct, they're making a statement that they don't respect or have no values."
When people deny others a second chance are they making a statement about their principles?
"Unfortunately many "old time players" (including you Xavier) clearly don't hold such values."
In Ollie Chases article you resent the use of 'old guard'. Why are you using it here then?
I remember a time when Australia was peaceful and productive.
Well I'm one of the RL actually older players - compared to all you young uni students, who are in fact much more like the school kid in the story than you know!
I might just add that I still class myself as a newcomer to the game and like everyone here, I can learn from and respect any of the active players and ones that take on responsibility. There are some new players like Ten Cent and Timeion who will contribute just as much to debates as DA and Cotus.
I for one can't agree with this concept off "younger and older" generations. No matter which one of these generations a person belongs to they still hold the same views, does anyone think that if AW or Icey had been here from the start or only recently joined that they would differ in views. People get shot down depending on their views, not on how old they are.
I didn't read it, but everyone says it was good, so voted.
Nice anecdote and I will forward it to my father. I am sure he will appreciate it.
I believe everyone has the right to be respected. It is up to you to choose if you wish to keep it.
I completely agree. People fight too much. They never open their minds or put themselves in other's places. It's quite frustrating.
William says that he do not read, he is unable to have a opinion of his own, he has no brains. That is where some get their supporters from.
Great article and hits the issue on the head. We definitely need to have both otherwise we're going to be toast in the wider world out there.
I am a 'new gen' player and as such I can say the I FULLY understand and respect the actions of those players that came before and fought for eAus. I did take it upon myself to read the entire history of the war and I very much respect those people who have helped rebuild the nation.
As a new player I want nothing more than to be a part of the future of the nation but I respect the knowledge and wisdom that comes with experience. A very good article in general, however beware of the danger of generally stereotyping people into groups, it can lead to alienation and division.
voted*