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Don’t worry, I get what you mean.

I don’t know if I’ll be independent yet. If I go the full academic route, I guess I’ll be a slave to the universities. If not, I may be a ward of the public sector.

I’ve absolutely resigned to it. Boomers grew up in a period of artificial prosperity made possible by victory in war and by their country becoming the top dog. Globalization makes things different now. I think we could do something about it once the housing bubble bursts again

Hrm. That’s kind of what I was afraid of. So, it’s like this. I’m a Gen X slacker (freshly 52). Wasn’t so long ago we were in your position. Unfortunately, I fell for some of the lies and internalized them, and let some of them negatively impact my life. It’s a bit too late for me to worry about that now, but it’s not too late for you and your friends.

So, a couple more questions, and again, please don’t take these harshly... To be honest, I struggle with them a bit myself.

Do you think that previous generations have squandered your future? How? Do you think there should be consequences, and if so, what?

Do you think that your generation has been lied to, and if so, what lies, from/by whom and what do you think you can do about them? (and/or consequences)

Do you think that your generation is capable of escaping the thought traps that they have been placed in and charting a new course? (and how). This really matters.

And finally, on a personal level, the stuff that really matters - regardless of the circumstances of your generation, do you think that you can find a way to make a good, or even great life for yourself? Do you have a plan to achieve this?

(Note, in case I forget to blather on later - the biggest mistake I’ve made, and that I think anyone can make is to internalize negativity. This isn’t about Pollyanna ‘positive thinking’ bs, but about selling yourself short. Don’t do it. You’ve (most likely) already done things that I could only dream of. Dream big and work toward those dreams. You might just achieve them, and if not, you’ll have the knowledge that at least you strove for greatness. That is I think one of the greatest crimes of today’s edutainment industrial complex - killing our dreams. Don’t let them do it to you.)

“I’ve absolutely resigned to it. Boomers grew up in a period of artificial prosperity made possible by victory in war and by their country becoming the top dog. Globalization makes things different now. I think we could do something about it once the housing bubble bursts again”

Once again I’ve heard the same thing from my sons.