ch. 6

One of the most interesting things in this chapter was the quote on page 133, “In a curious way, age is simpler than youth, for it has so far fewer options.” In a general sense, I think this quote is absolutely true. Our generation has been presented with far more opportunity and possibility then our parent’s or grandparent’s generations ever had. It will likely be true about our succeeding generations as well. However, the fact that we have had greater opportunity and privilege doesn’t necessarily mean that we have things “better” than they had it. The way of life my grandparents had was so much different than me. True, they had to physically work ten times harder then, but they had simple and uncomplicated lifestyles, you work hard and then reap the rewards of your hard work. It was that simple back then and as odd as it sounds, I sometimes envy them for the simple lives they had.

On Samantha’s comment, baby booms are almost always associated with war times, which it seems like we are never really “not” experiencing these days. It has become noticeable lately though, I agree. My family and friends from high school seem like they’re going through their own baby boom right now!