Baby Boomers, the Devil, and Self-Doubt
Did the Baby Boomers make a Faustian bargain that they have come to regret? This article, from Newsweek of all places, claims that they did, indeed, have their own Mephistopheles. And, it claims, they have come to a point of “Faustian bewilderment,” looking back regretfully at the excesses of their lives and the revolution that they wrought.
This article brings to mind a fact about the Boomers, or at least the most vocal segment of them, that has, in recent years, become a point of vexation for me: they suffer from a collective delusion of grandeur so severe that one wonders if Napolean himself had a tighter grip on reality than the typical, “elite” Boomer. Even in this article, where self-doubt is manifest, they seem to overestimate themselves. Also, self-loathing has always been a fact of life for the elite Boomers, if only under the surface. So, it is no wonder that, as they near the not-so-golden years of their lives, they would ask themselves, self-importantly and ruefully: “What have we done to the world?” 
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Baby boomers? Narcissistic? Nah!!
I was strolling through a bookstore the other night and saw this title:”The greater generation: In defense of the baby boomer generation”. He makes some good points regarding racial equality, etc. But, it was just so typical that this book would be written by a boomer about the boomers.
Comment by Matt — July 27, 2006 @ 11:17 am
I am an Oz baby-boomer.It was completely obvious to me that the traditional “answers” that you peddle were a crock.
I much prefer the insights into the human condition expressed in these references.Unlike you in your “moral” self-righteousness it offers a much more compassionate understanding of the human predicament.
1. http://www.dabase.net/dualsens.htm
2. http://www.dabase.net/oltawwfm.htm
Comment by John — July 28, 2006 @ 7:02 pm
John - it appears to me that you really do not understand what you condemn and that you have gullibly adopted the latest popular rehashing of Eastern mysticism repackaged for Westerners seeking but not knowing what. For whatever reason it appeals to you, preference is not the arbiter of truth. If you want to discuss your understanding of what you are rejecting or why you think your preferred doctrine is true then please explicate.
You are free to comment here but the rules are that you engage the comments and critique them. Caricature and ad hominem are not means of discourse, but simply attempts at self satisfaction and to which we do not cater.
Comment by David — July 28, 2006 @ 8:40 pm
Sorry, but… is that man in the picture wearing any pants??
Comment by Abigail — July 30, 2006 @ 7:40 pm
It\’s better to assume he\’s wearing a speedo.
Comment by shelray — July 31, 2006 @ 9:59 am
The Hippies had a better impact on society thaen the church. The bible has been changed over time, and so has the church’s beliefs. It wasn’t till about 500 years ago that the church decided that you can only have sex with your wife. Not everything the hippies did was right, but they were alot more accepting, free, and kind then the church. Remember the inquisition? Besides, the church never gives any HARD EVIDENCE to support their beliefs. The bible was written by many different HUMANS who all added their own little “details”. I believe in jesus, black or arab jesus, a non-magical jesus. The original documents that talk about him say that he was just a great man who fed the poor and had good philosophies, THAT’S IT. Can you actually PROVE the the sins are real?
Comment by Gabe Doran — May 23, 2007 @ 11:54 pm
the church never gives any HARD EVIDENCE to support their beliefs
It’s called documented history. Unlike many claims made against The Church.
Comment by shelray — May 24, 2007 @ 5:47 am
The Hippies had a better impact on society thaen the church.
The Catholic Church has brought society: modern science, the university system, the hospital system, classical art, timeless architecture, classical music, etc. It is the foundation of Western Civilization. Hippies have brought the medical, emotional, familial and societal ills associated with sexual permissiveness and drug abuse and have left the West a shell of a civilization which happens when individual whim takes precedence over the individual and the common good.
Sure, I suppose that if your perspective if Nietzschean societal suicide, I can see your preference for the hippy patrimony.
On the matter of your claim that the Bible has been changed over time, it might be nice if you could provide some of that HARD EVIDENCE that you are looking for with regard to the Church’s truth claims. Look into it and I think that you will be surprised to find that the most you can come up with is the speculation of “expert” academics.
Comment by David — May 24, 2007 @ 6:47 pm