I read of some people here 30-40- 50 years old who have nothing to show for their life.

Love this! We've always rented a little place, and have been perfectly happy. Landlord was a rare one, very good man. Let us paint, garden, whatever. Simple is better :)

I don't breed like ignorant animal, this planet is a fucked up shithole riddled with war, suffering, death,every meal eaten is either a tortured plant or animal. You take nothing to your grave. I get asked similar questions by other breeding sheep.

:gaythread2:

THIS!

haha pretty close to my own situation, although I work "sometimes" as a technician.

You can bet your life that I understand deeply what these youths are doing with their lives. They are trying to catch up with themselves. The pressure around my generation is far greater than it ever was for you.

Life was simpler, cheaper, had more opportunities and less choices. Today a young man is faced with hundreds of choices, temptations and ways to conduct his life and at the same time he has to keep up with demands from the old system sustained by old folk still clinging to their dying way of life.

So young people are basically opting out of this mess just so they can regain their breath and figure out what the fuck they want for their lives, and actually do something of value that is not rushed and careless just because their parents did.

I look at your generation, and see strong family values and a desperate need to submit to something or someone. It's almost like you guys have never heard of dignity, autonomy and honor. You all display a submissive / passive mentality of an apathetic slave who does no question WHY things are the way they are. You cannot fathom the idea of taking control over your life and living ONE day after the other. Life nowadays is INDEED about the NOW! moment and not long term plans that basically take a big chunk of your soul over a long period of servitude, which in turn takes a big chunk of your health. To make matters worse, just when you think that your dreams have come "true", you are too tired and frail to enjoy any of it. My dear friend, there is no "success" in this life, only tradeoffs (sacrifices). But then again, there are shitty (ego-driven) sacrifices and smart (loving) sacrifices.

The sense of altruism from the old generation is mostly ego-driven because it's actually provides the FOOD for your cheap emotional needs to be accepted by your community and society. That is exactly how superficial and empty the fruit of your life's work really is, and still you are always bragging about it.

Most long term plans are bullshit anyway. You cannot see beyond them. You are trapped in the past, waiting to die, but not until you have given a few more drops of blood to feed a dying system. And why? Because you love conformism better than authenticity and creativity. You love security better than freedom.

What a fascinating microcosm of humanity this thread has become. From the insulting to the venomous to outright hatred, my simple life has brought out in people.

I wonder why?

Guilt perhaps...at a wasted life?

Different sets of morals and standards?

Then I began to think of another disquieting aspect of relationships that I found here.

On more than one occasion, I read of posts by men who are either upset or puzzled by their new girlfriend who won't shack up in bed by the second or third date.

After seeing it initially, I thought "are they serious?"

Trying to have sex after two or three social encounters?

Then I read it more and more, so apparently it is becoming the norm.

What happened to morality in this country?

I really feel bad for what has become of America.

How could you build a lasting relationship with a person who has given themselves to others by the second or third date?

Judgemental much - OP?

Its a simple question...one I am trying to understand, since most people on this thread seem to think I am out of touch or from some sense of reality that died long ago.
I find it inexplicable that a normal relationship can be had with someone who has had multiple sex partners.

Its the same as having a relationship with someone who has cheated on their former mate...with you.
How could you ever trust that person?

The difference is what you've left behind,
Good or bad, or nothing,
and what you take with you, love or fear.

Ah - face it OP - we're living in end times.

It's near impossible to form healthy relationships these days.

Thing is OP - you're gonna keep getting a lot of hate - if you don't show some more understanding/tolerance.

Not everyone had the opportunity to have such a cozy life - and you're not coming across so well here.

But what do I care - if you can't see that after all the feedback on this thread - not much can be done for you.

Enjoy your comfortable life!

I don't see my life as anything other than a normal evolution and I don't care if people don't own a home or raise a family...But when I read that someone is older and has nothing to show for their life it is troubling and shows me that they merely existed.

What I have is "my normal" and if others do not have the same things I am okay with that. Having something to show for your life doesn't have to be materialistic, it can be accomplishing something or dedicating oneself to something.

But to merely exist...why?

Saving money is for suckers. You're not physically going to be able to do what you want once you reach retirement age. Live your life now instead of being an old fart who wishes he were young again.

I'm 30. I have a great job that i love and make good money. I own a high performance car but I don't own a house. I am not married and I don't have kids. I have the ability to save a lot of money for the future but mostly I blow through all of my money and live day to day. You know why? Because I am an adult and I can do whatever the hell I want. And I don't want those things right now. I am perfectly happy with the decisions I have made and the things that I have accomplished.

Why do you think you are so much better than everybody else and your way of life is so superior OP? Stop judging people so harshly. It's none of your damn business how I live my life and what I do with my money or in relationships. And it for damn sure isn't leading us to some sort of collapse of society because of it. Stop promoting these silly, cliche ideas: "this world is going down the tubes" or shaking your fist saying "the youth these days" like a pesssimistic, whiney, old fart. Maybe you should look in the mirror and think about what you've actually done with your life. It probably isn't that great or as benficjal to society as you think.

Many of your follow up posts contradict what you said in your opening statement OP. Stop backpeddling

You miss the entire point of the thread.
It is about people who have reached maturity but have nothing to show for it. You, obviously do since you have made a point to express it.

You are no different than me, so I am puzzled at your attempt to appear otherwise.

Right - like if other people have a life different from yours - it isn't normal...


Get over yourself already - OP.

totally agree.. obama is a filthy greedy beast .

You think the way I do, good post.

THIS

round them all up and put them in FEMA camps, I say!

this thread screams "I'm insecure".

You do not decide who is "merely existing" and who is "successful" op, and your ego will be cut down...

..when the man comes around.

You make some interesting points. I might have phrased it differently. I see the generation of my parents in my family and I can't understand the trust they have in institutions, like universities, government agencies, the medical industry, etc. I hear what you're saying about a need to submit to percieved authority, I have an aunt who worships anyone with an M.D. after their name, or that has a titled position in some academic world.

I think you put your post kind of bluntly and harshly but still there's food for thought there.

Communism? If you didn't know, but communist countries are usually patriarchal and have better family lives than western capitalist countries!!

You are confused with western morals and values!

Some effing criminal can come in and take it all and no one will do a damn thing. Maybe you haven't met one yet, but you will.

Sounds like a very boring life.

So your saying since you have material items you win, but they can be taken away in an instant by the government, you really never own anything

You all are sounding like a bunch of communist. Material wealth is good and even better when you surrounded by loved ones and people who care about your well being. Op is ok in my book. He obviously loved a lot and planned for the success of his off spring. Let's how they are wise enough and kind enough to invest it wisely.

As for me I grew up in the hills of San Diego before cable was available to my home. I am blessed with wonderful successful parent and feel the shame and regret of not being able to live up to or surpass their standard of living. But the economy is far different now then when I was growing up and I feel because of businesses micro managing the system that are currently in place are set up to keep us in certain life style.

I am struggling with it probably being the last of the middle class. I have a son with autism. This was something rare when I was growing up. Now everyone knows someone with an autistic person in there family. My child cost a lot since he goes to lots of therapy. We use a high deductible health care plan to meet his needs. People think public school sucks for there kids... try not even having charter school choice since those charter school folks have the system rigged to keep low incident students out. Also my family makes just a little too much to qualify for any type of government assistance and I don't hold the type of job that I can fudge my income. I am a straight contract employee.
I should be proud I am not using any type of government assistance, but to tell you the truth I am angry when I do see pay check manipulators cashing in. I don't have much and maybe my time would be better spent learning something new to use my resources better, since I do have limitations in my family life. I know there is still a lot I can learn for free online. I have to admit my GLP addiction is harmful and that is my fault. I do appreciate the community here though. Hey, lets start a support group for hopelessly addicted GLPer's!

The man is simply the bigger fish. He giveth, and he taketh away (or she). Material items, pride, whatever it is OP thinks he's got, that entitles him to judge others, shall be taken from him. It is the nature of things.