“I’m not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation/I just talkin’’bout my g-g-generation”. Since My Generation was released by The Who way back in 1965, the lyrics, though simple, have become a byline for anyone who feels like they don’t fit society’s expectations. When Pete Townshend wrote the words to that song, he was pushing back against the older generation, but I — conversely — feel increasingly out of step, nearly 60 years later, with the younger generation.
I spend a lot of time worrying that I’m turning into an unreasonable and intolerant old git, in the same way I viewed my parents and grandparents, but I’m increasingly sure, the more I think about this, that’s not the case. I’m acutely aware that things change and that the way I’ve done things in my lifetime will be done differently in the — the basic principles of humanity should remain constant throughout successive generations, such as work ethic, courtesy, humility, respect, thinking about other people in addition to yourself, the simple biological facts of being male or female, and people of all different races being treated equally. Surely these basic principles of being a human being, getting on with other human beings, and stepping up to play our small part in keeping the world ticking along, don’t vary greatly, and can’t cease to exist.
