sophiaserpentia | (no subject)

It has come to my attention that apparently some of my words of this morning are causing some umbrage.

When I wrote earlier that I have "developed a strong aversion to being lectured by people 15-20 years younger than me," I did not mean to imply that young people have nothing of value to say or teach me. Quite the contrary. I'm not quite old enough to be a curmudgeon yet, but I see my main role in certain respects to be doing as much as possible not to screw the world up any more than it already is, so as not to leave the next generation a diminished legacy. I've learned a lot from watching young folks accomplish effortlessly things (like certain kinds of inclusion and affinity) that were and still are a mighty struggle for people my age. Whenever I go to youth events, esp. things like the Dyke March and Youth Pride Day, I am in awe. I would consider it a tragedy if the feuds of people my age were to be passed on.

Primarily what I meant, then, are cases where I am literally lectured in debates. The presumption is that since I do not agree with a particular point, that I must be ignorant. What they do not know, is that chances are high (and increasing with each year that passes) that I have heard this song and dance before, decided it was wrong then, and still think it is wrong now. The topics being debated today are the same topics that were being debated 20 years ago. And, amazingly, the same talking points get thrown back and forth, to the general benefit of no one in particular. Every now and then, someone will present a fresh nuance that I had not encountered, and I will have to take time to consider it, but this is becoming an increasingly rare occurrence.

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As a young 'un, I didn't take offense. I see exactly what you're talking about, and prefer not to engage in those debates myself if possible. Arguing does not necessarily get stuff done, a lot of the time it's just stupid posturing.

I think your point was pretty clear. It'd be ironically funny if someone lectured you for the previous post though.

You might as well object to three year olds asking "why" 24/7.

A lot of people 15-20 years your junior (especially the ones with the free time that leads to inclination to debate - and esp. on the interwebz) are sort of in a transitional stage. Free from direct parental authority and free to chose their own path. But... not so comfortable without an authority to give them confirmation. So of course the same old philosophers, historians, writers, etc. get broken out and the merits of their words get embraced/put up for debate yet again. And of course these great "new" ideas are so self-evident that anyone who doesn't 100% agree must not be aware that the Great And Wonderful (Insert Name) said "blahahablahalahflahjalehj."

In a few years many will have become comfortable enough with their right to chose their own beliefs that they will start seeing the problems as well as the merits in their chosen authorities. Maybe what you say when banging your head against that particular wall even be a catalyst in intellectual/moral growth from deciding on one's authorities to actually owning one's owns beliefs and ideals.

Yes. I have had the experience lately where I have to think of a non-confrontational way to say "I know that YOU don't think that I understand, but that's exactly why I'm bothering to say it. I'm trying to give you some insight that you wouldn't have had the opportunity to encounter first hand, but that I have."

I got what you meant the first time around.

I also bridle at being so lectured by not-so-young people. For instance, I consider myself a sex-positive feminists, and in some debates, older feminists decide that they need to teach me Feminism 101. No- please don't. I know all that jazz. I am VERY well read in the classic second wave feminists, from bell hooks to Betty Friedan to Mary Daly.

I can understand the points and still not agree with them!