This chain letter and status post, which purports to represent a personal opinion, is currently appearing under many names on social media and other platforms. It usually begins with “I was born in 19XX” .
Yes, this article turned out to be very long, but it was necessary and we hope you read it to the end!

First of all: understanding meets responsibility

It is understandable that such posts are shared thousands of times due to personal feelings or concerns. At the same time, we should all be aware of the responsibility that comes with sharing information on social media. False information or polemical opinions can fuel misunderstandings and deepen social divisions.

That's why it's important that we all play a role in promoting constructive dialogue and understanding between generations. This begins with carefully examining what we share with each other and how that might be interpreted. Only by acting responsibly can we help bridge the generation gap and create a more balanced and understanding society.

The older generation in particular should seek out and promote dialogue. With their life experience, their wisdom and their understanding of communication, they can make a decisive contribution to overcoming misunderstandings and promoting constructive dialogue between generations. By sharing their knowledge and experiences, they can help create an atmosphere of understanding and collaboration.

Analysis of: A few words to these “last generation” clowns

This could obviously be part of a campaign to create polemical opinions, but this cannot be confirmed, because it could also just be a longing for the good old days!

I was born in 19XX.
A few words to these “last generation” clowns who like to stick themselves to streets and the other green flat nose pliers.
You always like to accuse us of living at the expense of your generation and leaving you a destroyed world. Then I want to explain something to you:
When we were children, we disappeared into the woods for days with a package of nails, a hammer and a saw and built ourselves booths and perches or played football outside in all weathers.
We knew without the internet that a chicken has 2 legs and lays eggs, we could even tell an oak tree from a beech tree without googling.
Our clothes didn't have any trademarks or we had older siblings give us clothes. We repaired our bikes ourselves and swapped parts with each other. The Sandman watched television for a maximum of 5 minutes a day. We were outside in summer and winter, no matter what the weather was like.
We walked to school, whether it was storming or snowing. Our cell phones were 2 cups connected with a string.
Our friends were real. We collected bottles and waste paper to earn a little pocket money. We had respect for older people and stood up for them on the bus…. And your world savior???
20 hours a day you spend 20 hours a day on your cell phone, playing PlayStation or surfing the Internet, which uses a huge amount of electricity... you don't fall out of bed before noon, you regularly need the latest sneakers from China, the best clothes from Asia are flown in, and of course the latest cell phone is a must every year.
You produce tons of garbage because you're too stupid to fix anything.
You start to cry when the heated seats in mom's fat SUV are broken when she drives you to school or to the demonstration on Fridays. Your internet connection wastes tons of electricity. There are air conditioning in your schools. One wrong draft outside and you'll be on your feet for three weeks.
Your great electromobility is the largest producer of toxic waste. You're nothing more than a bunch of weirdos and busybodies looking for a stage.
First go to work, you snots, so you know how much it costs to make a living.
You think Germany alone could save the world and the climate because your parents shoved everything up your ass. It's best if you just keep your mouth shut and don't accuse our generation of living at your expense.
Your generation wouldn't be able to survive without all of your high-tech crap that pollutes the environment.
First think, then stick.

Understanding the behavior of people who write and distribute such texts can be viewed from different perspectives.

  1. Nostalgia and perception : The older generation may have nostalgic feelings towards their childhood and youth, which they perceive as simpler and better than the present day. Such feelings can be exacerbated by rapid technological development and the associated social changes.
  2. The fear of change : The older generation can feel overwhelmed or even threatened by the rapid development of technology and the associated social changes. These fears can lead to idealization of the past and criticism of the present.
  3. The generation gap : There is always a certain gap between generations, which is caused by different experiences, values ​​and world views. This gap can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts such as those expressed in the quoted text.

Even if one can understand why the older generation writes and passes on such texts, it is important to critically question whether the views and stereotypes expressed in these texts are correct and accurate. It is also important to promote respectful dialogue and understanding between generations rather than fueling conflict and division.

The longing for the good old days

People often feel nostalgic and long for the seeming simplicity of the past. They compare their experiences and their lives at a young age with today's world and often find modern times to be too complex, too fast-moving and sometimes even threatening. Statements such as the text quoted, which builds on an idealized past and compares it with today's technological world, can therefore be attractive to many people.

The search for identity and belonging

Such statements can also serve to form identity and build a community. They create an “us versus them” scenario in which people who identify with the “us” group feel closer and more connected to one another.

Criticism of the younger or “last generation” and dissatisfaction with the modern world

This statement echoes a well-known rhetoric in which the older generation criticizes the younger generation. This type of criticism is as old as humanity itself and is a widespread phenomenon. Dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the modern world, be it technology, consumerism or environmental issues, can lead people to spread and support such statements.

From a psychologist's perspective

The theory of cognitive dissonance

Psychology can explain some of the reasons why people share and agree with such statements. One of these reasons is the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance, which occurs when people have contradictory beliefs, thoughts or attitudes. To reduce this discomfort, people tend to seek out, interpret, and retain information that confirms their existing beliefs and attitudes. So people who believe that the younger generation is lazy or overly dependent on technology might share and agree with such statements.

The need for consistent self-awareness

Another psychological theory that could explain this behavior is the theory of self-perception. People strive for a coherent self-image. If they see themselves as hard-working, independent individuals who grew up without the aid of modern technology, they might agree with such statements to confirm this image.

Analysis of the statement

It is important to note that although this statement is based on certain perceptions and experiences, it also contains many generalizations and stereotypes about the young generation. It is unlikely that all young people are exactly as they are described in the statement, and it is equally unlikely that all people of the older generation were exactly as they are described.

Fact check

While some points of the statement may be true, such as the younger generation's increased reliance on technology and the associated environmental impact, the statement also contains many generalizations and misinformation.

For example, while electric cars can produce a lot of waste, particularly from their batteries, they are generally less polluting than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Surfing the Internet also uses electricity, but the overall energy consumption of the Internet is still far lower than in many other areas of modern life, such as industrial production or transport.

Believing that the young generation does not work and contribute is a gross generalization and does not apply to the entire young generation. Many young people work hard, often in insecure and poorly paid jobs, and make an important contribution to society and the economy. It is therefore important to critically question such statements and not to rely on generalizations and stereotypes.

Conclusion: Building bridges between generations

In the heated debate that can arise from such polemical chain letters, it is important not to forget that each generation has its own challenges and successes. It is not only unnecessary but also counterproductive to get lost in a “battle of generations” in which one side blames the other for all the world's problems.

The older generation that relays such news often does so from a perspective of nostalgia and discomfort with rapid social change. Their experiences and knowledge are valuable and can contribute to understanding important contexts and historical perspectives.

At the same time, the “last generation” is a group of young people who have to face the challenges of an increasingly connected and complex world. Her concerns and commitment to issues such as climate change and social justice are also important and deserving.

We should, no we must, find a way to promote dialogue and mutual understanding between generations. Every generation has valuable experiences and perspectives to share, and we can all learn from each other and work together to meet the challenges of our time. Instead of falling into blame, we should focus on what we have in common and build bridges between generations.

One more thing: memory as the key to understanding

It is particularly important that the older generation introspect and remember their own youth. Every generation has its own revolutionary moments, its own protests and struggles. Many people in the older generation can certainly remember times when they felt unheard or misunderstood. Whether it was the civil rights movement, protests against “whatever” or other social struggles, they all had one thing in common: the desire to create a better world.

These memories can be a powerful tool to promote empathy and understanding for the “last generation.” Instead of criticizing the younger generation for their activities and commitment, it can be helpful to remember your own history and the emotions associated with it. What motivated them to take to the streets for their beliefs or to rebel against the existing situation? How did they feel when their concerns were ignored or devalued by the older generation?

It is possible that this empathy will lead to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the younger generation. This could also help to improve dialogue between generations and promote a more constructive and sensitive attitude towards the concerns of the younger generation.

In this sense, memories are not only a window into the past, but also a bridge into the future. They can help us understand each other better and work to ensure that every generation has the opportunity to be heard and shape their world positively.

Dear readers, we now have 3 more questions for you:

  1. Do you think that a respectful and constructive dialogue between generations is important in order to overcome misunderstandings and conflicts?
  2. Do you believe that sharing accurate and balanced information on social media can help provide a clearer and fairer picture of reality?
  3. Would you like to be a part of Mimikama and help combat misinformation and promote better understanding between generations?
Then you too will become a “MIMIMIC CAMERA”

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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )