The generation fight club is my favorite! I hope we see more rounds of this contest. It shows how the generations need each other. The insight and inherent wisdom of being alive at different times in history could come together and actually resolve some issues. If Gen-zers could put the phones down long enough ;)
No one want to say what motivates Hamas and the Palestinians generally. It is not land. It is not prosperity. These could be had through cooperation with Israel. No, what motivates most (around 75% according to Palestinian surveys) is Islamic Supremacism. They have been told that Allah hates Jews and that Jews betrayed Him, that Jews know Allah's rules and refuse to obey them. They are told that no one must rule in lands conquered by Islam but Muslims, and that Jews, to be allowed to live, must pay blood money and submit to inferior status. Furthermore, that if they die fighting for Allah, they go directly to heaven, and the (male) warriors get 72 virgins. In short, the majority of Palestinians are religious fanatics. That is what drives them.
It is strange that the article about the underground expansion of the
Lubavitcher synagogue in Crown Heights makes zero mention of an illegal 60 foot long tunnel that was filled in by a cement truck, according to other news outlets. Not mentioning the tunnel at all, while saying most of what is reported about this strange story is untrue undermines the integrity of The Free Press, making readers wonder what you may be leaving out of other stories.
Julia: Anyone who starts an argument with the phrase " Okay, Boomer" loses, hands down. And, really, you blame Covid lockdowns of the very, very recent past on Gen Xers, or God forbid, boomers?! If your entire argument is not supposed to be taken seriously, but is an exercise in sarcasm, get back to Writing class now! Free Press: Gen Zers writing to an audience of other Gen Zers (and not well) makes me come close to hitting the unsubscribe button. I've actually done this, but I missed Nellie Bowles too much. Finally, Julia: Grow up.
Wow. Julia clearly struck a nerve, didn’t she? Makes me wonder if you know deep down that she’s right and just refuse to accept it. Take a chill pill. Life’s too short to spend it so bitter and angry.
Boomers have been shitting on Millennials and Gen Z’ers for *decades*, now it’s our turn. Dishing it out without being able to take the heat is the most Boomer thing ever. So is self-mythologizing to the point of being unable to self-reflect.
Heh. I would ordinarily find it highly amusing that the commenter who literally unsubscribed from this publication because a portion of a piece hit too close to home would tell me to “chill” because I very mildly called them out on it... but hey, what do I know? I’m just another dumb Millennial 🤷🏻♂️
Older Millennial here. Gen Z definitely won the fight club. Every time I hear some curmudgeon talking about “kids these days,” I always say “Well, YOU raised them!” And Gen Xers are even worse coddlers and helicopter parents than even the Boomers were (source: wife teaches middle school).
Bari’s piece on Dean Phillips deserves it’s own Substack write up. I’ve never heard of the dude but, I tell ya, he’s a force! Would destroy B and T in a debate. He’s got my vote!
"They think that America is “systemically racist,” and that the only way they can transcend their racism is to embrace gender fluidity, so they cast about for a fake identity that, they hope, will differentiate them from their deeply ignorant caricature of white, bourgeois America."
You forgot to mention all of the self-diagnosed disabilities like autism.
What no one wants to acknowledge is that Joe Biden IS NOT running things...everyone in D.C and most of us paying attention are acutely aware that Obama and his minions in the White House are calling the shots! From tip-toeing around Iran to the millions streaming across the border...Obama's fingerprints are all over it! Its all about keeping the power.
I am continuously bemused by what seems to be confusion about Joe Biden's fitness to run for another term as President. Watching his wife guide him across the stage and listening to his clearly
Hey Julia, you are making Peter's point when you blame another generation for your own generation's idiocy. Look at all the crazy stuff Gen Z is creating out of nothing: myriad gender identities, oppressed v. oppressor, white people are racist, believe women (ALL of them), defund police, mostly peaceful protests with burning buildings in the background, name calling, doxxing, cancelling, branding. Add to that the hilariously overpriced and complicated Starbucks drinks they order (I'll have a venti strawberry acai lemonade with no inclusions - my granddaughter's favorite). Gen Z has a lot of terrific kids in it but those have mostly conservative parents - but the fascination with tattoos and piercings as if appearances make up for incompetence, doesn't speak well of the rest.
Admittedly, I have little interaction of meaning with Gen Zers. Heck, my kids are millennials. But I notice two things in the discussion between Peter and Julia: Peter enumerates real (or imagined) traits of that group while Julia blames every generation that has come before for causing their real (or imagined) shortcomings. As such she seems to validate much of the criticism of her generation.
The Gen X vs Z fight shows a common tendency in many other areas today.
Gen X: The following enumerated dysfunctional trends exists and are a problem for society (with exceptions and qualifying that the causes of the dysfunction reach back in time).
Gen Z: It's not our fault, because the causes of our dysfunction reach back in time, and also here are some exceptions.
The point being, that the Gen Z side of this particular debate does not dispute the characterization of the problems (other than to redundantly note that it doesn't apply to everybody). It instead focuses on who's to blame.
I see this pattern in discussions about race or gender ideology or homelessness or many other issues (ie: not even having nothing to do with age or "generation"). One side wants a discussion centered on functionality (aimed at recognizing, analyzing and redressing a real world problem) but gets shunted into a morality discussion about blame and innocenc by the other side. The latter approach seems to have an unconscious component of "let's stop worrying about figuring out how to make real measurable improvements, and just establish that it's somebody else's fault so we can ignore it".
It's like "I have a toothache", leading not to a dental exam and perhaps a cavity filling (IF that turns out to be the issue), but instead to debates about whether it's the fault of a parent who allowed too much candy in the house during somebody's youth, or on the young adult's own dental care when on their own. But the toothache is still there, no matter who one wants to assign original fault to.
Moral positioning takes precedence over rational functionality. One side speaks facts, the other side speaks emotions. One side wants to find at least a partial fix, the other side is devoted to establishing their innocence and lack of agency.
Looking at causes from the functionality perspectives is useful to the degree that (1) original causes may shed light on the socio-political mechanisms currently sustaining the problem (or may not), or (2) negating the original causes might be part of breaking the cycle today (but other times, the way out differs from the way in; or the original cause may already be voided). Notice that establishing who has the moral high ground is not in that. To the degree that looking at original causes is driven by blame and moral positioning (as accuser or defender), it makes it harder to get a clear understanding which might help improve the situation, and it diverts time and attention from problem solving into "who is more bad".
I couldn't listen to all of the Dean Phillips interview. He does show that the Democrat Party and its minions like MSNBC are undemocratic: no primaries, no debates. But when he said an ideal ticket would be Gretchen Whitmer and Raphael Warnock, I couldn't take it any more. He might best be described as Biden without the mental deterioration. Phillips' policies seem completely aligned with today's Democrat Party, i.e., all the way with DEI and identity politics, and blowing J6 up into the his own and the USA's brush with death. For Democrat lite, there's always RFK, Jr.
Phillips sounds reasonably sane, for a Democrat, but is clearly a Democrat -- every problem needs a big government solution funded by wealth transfer. He lost me with his foreign policy, he wants to "reset" with China rather than defeating China, and we need to "invest in peace" instead of spending such "vast amounts" on defense.
The interview was the first time I've heard Bari Weiss express some concern over the illegal immigration crisis. Mostly she is worried it will cost Biden the election, and she cannot understand why he doesn't do something about it. Perhaps with more reflection she will realize Biden created the situation in order to bring millions of Democrat votes into the country, and to him it is not a problem but a very successful policy.
A bit weird story about Jews,tunnels and pedophilia.
The generation fight club is my favorite! I hope we see more rounds of this contest. It shows how the generations need each other. The insight and inherent wisdom of being alive at different times in history could come together and actually resolve some issues. If Gen-zers could put the phones down long enough ;)
This is why I love TFP - keep it fresh
No one want to say what motivates Hamas and the Palestinians generally. It is not land. It is not prosperity. These could be had through cooperation with Israel. No, what motivates most (around 75% according to Palestinian surveys) is Islamic Supremacism. They have been told that Allah hates Jews and that Jews betrayed Him, that Jews know Allah's rules and refuse to obey them. They are told that no one must rule in lands conquered by Islam but Muslims, and that Jews, to be allowed to live, must pay blood money and submit to inferior status. Furthermore, that if they die fighting for Allah, they go directly to heaven, and the (male) warriors get 72 virgins. In short, the majority of Palestinians are religious fanatics. That is what drives them.
It is strange that the article about the underground expansion of the
Lubavitcher synagogue in Crown Heights makes zero mention of an illegal 60 foot long tunnel that was filled in by a cement truck, according to other news outlets. Not mentioning the tunnel at all, while saying most of what is reported about this strange story is untrue undermines the integrity of The Free Press, making readers wonder what you may be leaving out of other stories.
Please do better.
Julia: Anyone who starts an argument with the phrase " Okay, Boomer" loses, hands down. And, really, you blame Covid lockdowns of the very, very recent past on Gen Xers, or God forbid, boomers?! If your entire argument is not supposed to be taken seriously, but is an exercise in sarcasm, get back to Writing class now! Free Press: Gen Zers writing to an audience of other Gen Zers (and not well) makes me come close to hitting the unsubscribe button. I've actually done this, but I missed Nellie Bowles too much. Finally, Julia: Grow up.
Wow. Julia clearly struck a nerve, didn’t she? Makes me wonder if you know deep down that she’s right and just refuse to accept it. Take a chill pill. Life’s too short to spend it so bitter and angry.
Boomers have been shitting on Millennials and Gen Z’ers for *decades*, now it’s our turn. Dishing it out without being able to take the heat is the most Boomer thing ever. So is self-mythologizing to the point of being unable to self-reflect.
Wow. Chill.
Heh. I would ordinarily find it highly amusing that the commenter who literally unsubscribed from this publication because a portion of a piece hit too close to home would tell me to “chill” because I very mildly called them out on it... but hey, what do I know? I’m just another dumb Millennial 🤷🏻♂️
Older Millennial here. Gen Z definitely won the fight club. Every time I hear some curmudgeon talking about “kids these days,” I always say “Well, YOU raised them!” And Gen Xers are even worse coddlers and helicopter parents than even the Boomers were (source: wife teaches middle school).
Bari’s piece on Dean Phillips deserves it’s own Substack write up. I’ve never heard of the dude but, I tell ya, he’s a force! Would destroy B and T in a debate. He’s got my vote!
"They think that America is “systemically racist,” and that the only way they can transcend their racism is to embrace gender fluidity, so they cast about for a fake identity that, they hope, will differentiate them from their deeply ignorant caricature of white, bourgeois America."
You forgot to mention all of the self-diagnosed disabilities like autism.
What no one wants to acknowledge is that Joe Biden IS NOT running things...everyone in D.C and most of us paying attention are acutely aware that Obama and his minions in the White House are calling the shots! From tip-toeing around Iran to the millions streaming across the border...Obama's fingerprints are all over it! Its all about keeping the power.
I am continuously bemused by what seems to be confusion about Joe Biden's fitness to run for another term as President. Watching his wife guide him across the stage and listening to his clearly
Hey Julia, you are making Peter's point when you blame another generation for your own generation's idiocy. Look at all the crazy stuff Gen Z is creating out of nothing: myriad gender identities, oppressed v. oppressor, white people are racist, believe women (ALL of them), defund police, mostly peaceful protests with burning buildings in the background, name calling, doxxing, cancelling, branding. Add to that the hilariously overpriced and complicated Starbucks drinks they order (I'll have a venti strawberry acai lemonade with no inclusions - my granddaughter's favorite). Gen Z has a lot of terrific kids in it but those have mostly conservative parents - but the fascination with tattoos and piercings as if appearances make up for incompetence, doesn't speak well of the rest.
Admittedly, I have little interaction of meaning with Gen Zers. Heck, my kids are millennials. But I notice two things in the discussion between Peter and Julia: Peter enumerates real (or imagined) traits of that group while Julia blames every generation that has come before for causing their real (or imagined) shortcomings. As such she seems to validate much of the criticism of her generation.
VOTING REPUBLICAN WOULD NOT LET THIS HAPPEN - JUST SAYING
Yes, sorry, I must use caps
They should be more concerned about the Gaza tunnels where hostages are. Not NYC
The Gen X vs Z fight shows a common tendency in many other areas today.
Gen X: The following enumerated dysfunctional trends exists and are a problem for society (with exceptions and qualifying that the causes of the dysfunction reach back in time).
Gen Z: It's not our fault, because the causes of our dysfunction reach back in time, and also here are some exceptions.
The point being, that the Gen Z side of this particular debate does not dispute the characterization of the problems (other than to redundantly note that it doesn't apply to everybody). It instead focuses on who's to blame.
I see this pattern in discussions about race or gender ideology or homelessness or many other issues (ie: not even having nothing to do with age or "generation"). One side wants a discussion centered on functionality (aimed at recognizing, analyzing and redressing a real world problem) but gets shunted into a morality discussion about blame and innocenc by the other side. The latter approach seems to have an unconscious component of "let's stop worrying about figuring out how to make real measurable improvements, and just establish that it's somebody else's fault so we can ignore it".
It's like "I have a toothache", leading not to a dental exam and perhaps a cavity filling (IF that turns out to be the issue), but instead to debates about whether it's the fault of a parent who allowed too much candy in the house during somebody's youth, or on the young adult's own dental care when on their own. But the toothache is still there, no matter who one wants to assign original fault to.
Moral positioning takes precedence over rational functionality. One side speaks facts, the other side speaks emotions. One side wants to find at least a partial fix, the other side is devoted to establishing their innocence and lack of agency.
Looking at causes from the functionality perspectives is useful to the degree that (1) original causes may shed light on the socio-political mechanisms currently sustaining the problem (or may not), or (2) negating the original causes might be part of breaking the cycle today (but other times, the way out differs from the way in; or the original cause may already be voided). Notice that establishing who has the moral high ground is not in that. To the degree that looking at original causes is driven by blame and moral positioning (as accuser or defender), it makes it harder to get a clear understanding which might help improve the situation, and it diverts time and attention from problem solving into "who is more bad".
I couldn't listen to all of the Dean Phillips interview. He does show that the Democrat Party and its minions like MSNBC are undemocratic: no primaries, no debates. But when he said an ideal ticket would be Gretchen Whitmer and Raphael Warnock, I couldn't take it any more. He might best be described as Biden without the mental deterioration. Phillips' policies seem completely aligned with today's Democrat Party, i.e., all the way with DEI and identity politics, and blowing J6 up into the his own and the USA's brush with death. For Democrat lite, there's always RFK, Jr.
Phillips sounds reasonably sane, for a Democrat, but is clearly a Democrat -- every problem needs a big government solution funded by wealth transfer. He lost me with his foreign policy, he wants to "reset" with China rather than defeating China, and we need to "invest in peace" instead of spending such "vast amounts" on defense.
The interview was the first time I've heard Bari Weiss express some concern over the illegal immigration crisis. Mostly she is worried it will cost Biden the election, and she cannot understand why he doesn't do something about it. Perhaps with more reflection she will realize Biden created the situation in order to bring millions of Democrat votes into the country, and to him it is not a problem but a very successful policy.
If Democrats thought illegal aliens would vote Republican, they'd have the wall built next week.
I doubt he’s ever voted against the dnc directive