A social revolution?

domcastro

I think the war changed things a lot. Afterwards there was a "live for now" mentality which has continued

markelock

[/quote]It would be nicer if more people lived by another of his quotes;

"It is great wealth to a soul to live frugally with a contented mind".
[/quote]

It's a nice thought, but in the context of the society we live in, it doesn't take into account external economic factors, and therefore doesn't work.

Personally I'd love to be in a situation where my wife could work part-time, spend more time with the kids (get that work life balance that's becoming so popular), but house prices won't let me.

perhaps in time that will change, we shall see.

matthewcb

As the main drivers in society are greed followed by fear, I confidently predict nothing will change.

Remember after the 9/11 attacks, the US indulged in a lot of naval gazing and many commentators were certain there would be a new dawn of a more caring, less materialistic society? What happened to that?

If history teaches us anything, it's that we don't learn from history. For example, in 2020 Labour will probably be given the chance to ruin the country again!

margaretclare

Myself, I think the 'social revolution' has been to engender a 'what can I claim, what am I entitled to?' way of thinking.

You can see this in various threads throughout Martin's site, and elsewhere. An automatic assumption that 'I must be entitled to something, how can I claim it, how much?' And conversely 'It's not worth saving because the state shall provide/the state will take it off you'. Or 'My neighbour never saved and now gets everything (a list of consumer goods usually follows)'.

People have referred back to the 1950s, but this type of thinking was not around then.

I like that quote from Lucretius about a contented mind. It's the way my DH thinks, and has always thought. He's a great example of what Lucretius meant.

Pobby

Great posts!!!! I think the 60`s did spark off quite a bit more than just free concerts. I knew loads, like me, in their teens who were politically active if a bit wet behind the ears. I remember CND marches and getting roughed up by the police in Grosvenor Square. Some say that they USA protests and draught card burning did much to stop the war in Vietnam.

This seemed to carry on right up to the poll tax demos. The last demo I was involved with. I think that the people protesting on the street did much to get the poll tax reforms.

Loads of youngsters in my family. If you asked them who the PM was it`s possible they wouldn`t know and care even less.

Pobby

margaretclare wrote: »

Myself, I think the 'social revolution' has been to engender a 'what can I claim, what am I entitled to?' way of thinking.

You can see this in various threads throughout Martin's site, and elsewhere. An automatic assumption that 'I must be entitled to something, how can I claim it, how much?' And conversely 'It's not worth saving because the state shall provide/the state will take it off you'. Or 'My neighbour never saved and now gets everything (a list of consumer goods usually follows)'.

People have referred back to the 1950s, but this type of thinking was not around then.

I like that quote from Lucretius about a contented mind. It's the way my DH thinks, and has always thought. He's a great example of what Lucretius meant.

Agreed with your point about the 1950`s MC. There was certainly stigmas that have now gone. Being unemployed when you could have worked. Having babies out of wedlock. 2 friends in the 60`s were pregnant in the 60`s. Both got married to the fathers. So shocked was one mother she refused to go to the wedding. Happily they are still married.

StevieJ

matthewcb wrote: »

As the main drivers in society are greed followed by fear, I confidently predict nothing will change.

Remember after the 9/11 attacks, the US indulged in a lot of naval gazing and many commentators were certain there would be a new dawn of a more caring, less materialistic society? What happened to that?

If history teaches us anything, it's that we don't learn from history. For example, in 2020 Labour will probably be given the chance to ruin the country again!

It may come 10 years before then.

vivatifosi

I would love society to be more caring and considerate, but I don't know that it's all about money or whether the current downturn/recession/depression (whatever with hindsight it turns out to be) will cure anything.

Small things wind me up: the fact that many people can't be bothered to take their trolley back in the supermarket; or don't open doors for people at shopping centres when they are clearly struggling with prams/wheelchairs and so forth; or getting the bird from the driver behind me because I let someone out in traffic; or the feral kids for whom it is ok to kick a ball around your car because bizarrely it apparently isn't safe for them to go to the local park any more.

I don't know what the answer is to any of these things, unless we can somehow turn back the clock, go back to a time when we respected our elders and kids looked up to heroes like astronauts and not WAGs.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

margaretclare wrote: »

Myself, I think the 'social revolution' has been to engender a 'what can I claim, what am I entitled to?' way of thinking.

You can see this in various threads throughout Martin's site, and elsewhere. An automatic assumption that 'I must be entitled to something, how can I claim it, how much?' And conversely 'It's not worth saving because the state shall provide/the state will take it off you'. Or 'My neighbour never saved and now gets everything (a list of consumer goods usually follows)'.

People have referred back to the 1950s, but this type of thinking was not around then.

I like that quote from Lucretius about a contented mind. It's the way my DH thinks, and has always thought. He's a great example of what Lucr/quote]

You are so right about the what I'm entitled to society.
I'll probably become the villain here but take a simple thing like having children.You once had children and they were your responsibility.You had them,you look after them.Not now.It's expected that you get help to pay for them.It is a choice to have children.Like all choices you should be expected to pay the costs.
I feel sorry for those who have chosen not to have children and yet are taxed to the hilt and gain nothing back.
We can never go back to those simple days of the mid 40s/50s/60s.People have become much to greedy and carefree.

markelock

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

You are so right about the what I'm entitled to society.
I'll probably become the villain here but take a simple thing like having children.You once had children and they were your responsibility.You had them,you look after them.Not now.It's expected that you get help to pay for them.It is a choice to have children.Like all choices you should be expected to pay the costs.
I feel sorry for those who have chosen not to have children and yet are taxed to the hilt and gain nothing back.
We can never go back to those simple days of the mid 40s/50s/60s.People have become much to greedy and carefree.

but what if we all choose not to have children?

and the reason people receive payments to help pay for the care of children (ignoring child benefit, which has been in existence ever since I was born) is as an incentive from the government to get people to work. to pay for the things that make the economy grow.

people pay tax, and get things in return. I pay the higher rate of tax, and am happy to contribute to things like the NHS, and those less fortunate than myself. (of course my tax £ go much further and also get spent on things I don't really want them to go on)

the world has moved on, and experiences from 20, 30, 40 years ago aren't as relevant in todays society. after all, back then I could buy a house for £5k!

I think as a society we are greedy, but temper that with aspiration. I've improved on my parents, and hopefully my children will improve on me. I look forward to that day infact.