Sometimes I Feel So Outdated

Leann

Leann

Traveler
I remember when I was a young teenager, my parents didn't understand the music of my time or the names of actors, singers, or most public people who were not of their generation. I recall being tickled by this .... how could they NOT know who these people were.

Here I sit, at 66 years of age, and I am so lost when it comes to popular culture. Nothing seems to make sense to me most of the time. I'd like to think that I'm not embedded in the past but it's becoming clear to me that I am. I have become my parents in that regard.
 

Leann said:
I remember when I was a young teenager, my parents didn't understand the music of my time or the names of actors, singers, or most public people who were not of their generation. I recall being tickled by this .... how could they NOT know who these people were.

Here I sit, at 66 years of age, and I am so lost when it comes to popular culture. Nothing seems to make sense to me most of the time. I'd like to think that I'm not embedded in the past but it's becoming clear to me that I am. I have become my parents in that regard.
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Really well said, you are not alone!
 

Leann said:
I remember when I was a young teenager, my parents didn't understand the music of my time or the names of actors, singers, or most public people who were not of their generation. I recall being tickled by this .... how could they NOT know who these people were.

Here I sit, at 66 years of age, and I am so lost when it comes to popular culture. Nothing seems to make sense to me most of the time. I'd like to think that I'm not embedded in the past but it's becoming clear to me that I am. I have become my parents in that regard.
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That's because it's not important to you now. Same here. I'm well past the stage of caring about that crap.
 
We have 3 children and we felt like we were keeping up by paying attention to their lives. Now they are grown and scattered and, at 67, I am beginning to feel adrift too. I never watched much television but since being locked in for Covid, we watch WAAAY too much TV and am paying far too much attention to politics than we ever did!! I try to carefully share significant articles with the kids but I can only imagine they are rolling their eyes and wondering, " Really, mom??"

I do like the streaming services though. We have been watching - from start to finish - all those old shows we never had time to watch while working and raising a family. THAT has been fun. We used to be out in the world and I am getting to the point that I just want it all to go away so I can relax and do the things I saved for last.
 
I embrace my "Outdatedness"
Contemporary singers, actors, those in the public eye do not interest me.
To me many of these people are superficial, only in it to have the spotlight shine on them.
"ooh, look at me"
Remember that our past was who we are and influenced who we grew to become.
There is no need to keep up with current trends, culture, as long as we are content with ourselves and our achievements.
 
I've been pondering how to reply to this. At 75, while i definitely feel old at times i don't feel 'outdated'. An outsider then and still. Informed but not a 'part of' society, my age group, my demographic.

You see, I never 'kept up' with, faithdully followed all the latest fashions, trends, performers, etc when i was young. I was aware of them, just didn't jump on every bandwagon that came along and still don't. I was as perplexed by weeping, shreiking fans at concerts as our elders (tho there'd been a bit of that hysteria over Sinatra.)

In the 60s i listened to folk music, Rock, Motown and classical music depending on mood. Still do, thanks to YouTube for making so easy. I always loved to dance, and still do. But I'm also big on meaningful lyrics and there are still plenty of those out there in various genres. My daughter intoduces me some of the newer artists at times, she knows how i feel about good lyrics.

I think it wise to have some awareness of cultural trends because it is the world of our descendents and at some point they might need some help navigating it. And while i get listening to or watching some form of entertainment and feeling 'That's enough of that for me.', I see way too many seniors quick to criticize things they are aware of only thru media hype with no comprehension of how/why the trend developed.

So i'm still an outsider, marching to my own drum but sampling what other rhythms have to offer.
 
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Leann said:
Does everything need to change?
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This sounds like it should be the first line of a poem, probably with a title like 'Elder Lamentation'.

I am overwhelmed by all the new stuff I need to learn to navigate in this constantly changing world, and scared I won't learn it and will have problems. But a lot of the changes I'm happy with (was watching a YouTube yesterday on how to pay for parking at Chicago trains and looks very easy and convenient, park then at the station type license plate number into the parking payment machine and swipe credit card), and some things that haven't changed shock me in a bad way (asked the hotel I'll be staying at about laundry, and "whatdya mean I need quarters to pay for the laundry machine?! Is there no phone app I can wave over the machine to pay?!?!").
 
Leann said:
I remember when I was a young teenager, my parents didn't understand the music of my time or the names of actors, singers, or most public people who were not of their generation. I recall being tickled by this .... how could they NOT know who these people were.

Here I sit, at 66 years of age, and I am so lost when it comes to popular culture. Nothing seems to make sense to me most of the time. I'd like to think that I'm not embedded in the past but it's becoming clear to me that I am. I have become my parents in that regard.
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Today's technology just goes over my head. My eleven year old, so called, smart phone has never been connected to the internet simply because it's owner is far less smart than his phone. I have no idea how you connect, and truth be told, I don't really care either. My emails are all but non existent, not surprising really, I never send one out. You might even smile when I tell you that I still write letters, I mean write, in pen and ink.

Musically I haven't listened to the radio in over fifty years, I still play vinyl records, have no idea what is meant by streaming, other than you can get something or other if you do so.

Just guessing, but I would suggest that we get updated by our children and grand children. Not having any kids is probably why I am in the wilderness, or perhaps that should be, limbo, with what I can so called do, today!
 
Don M. said:
Every generation has it's "tastes" in music, etc. I like it all....both old and new, except for this Rap Crap. As for all this "technology", I pretty much pass....I don't need a Smartphone to adjust my house thermostat.
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Rap Crap, best description I've heard so far šŸ˜Š


(Spit guards to protect the microphone??
Try to get as much boob exposure as possiblešŸ„ŗ
Stand for the entire three hours, jump up and down, block the
view for those in seats...)
 
I like certain things, such as music, movies, television shows from my generation. I enjoy the old familiar ones I grew up with. Nothing wrong with that. I do watch some of the new ones also and enjoy those also. I have always listened to music and it is the classic rock from my generation. Actually, the younger generations listen to the same ones I do. It is just good music!

As far as technology goes, well, I am not crazy about the cellphones. But I never was a phone person to begin with. I love my laptop, the internet and the Kindle. I like watching my television using Prime Video which is connected to my internet. I am careful about including those "smart" ideas and technologies though. No Alexa or streaming music for me. I think technology is a good thing. Look at how hard it is to stay home and never talk to anyone outside of your family and neighbors. I love having friends all over the country and the world.

I think I just mix and match a little of the new with a little of the old. I don't feel like I am outdated or old fashioned.
 
Forgive me for taking topic south, BUT
Sports toooo have been become corrupt :
1950-1999--Baseball-lots and lots of cussing, spitting, scratching anticipated
So what is this lining up for handshakes at the end of a game?

Football used to be lots of ugly men hitting, hurting each other , grunting and just plain nasty
Now you stadium has become one of the main attractions, it must rival the Tan Mahal; if your city
will not pay for it-no matter, just move you team to a city that will....
 
IrisSenior said:
Gah...who cares if we are outdated. The kids today will NEVER experience what we went through in the 60's - the good, the bad and the ugly. We were an awesome generation that will never be duplicated. Can I please have a high-five!
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It's not that I mind being older, it's that there is so much that has passed me by, that I don't understand or have familiarity with. Case in point, I don't watch awards programs but I sometimes look at the outfits the attendees and nominees wore. First issue is that I don't even recognize most of the names of these people who are apparently popular and well-known. Second issue is that some of the outfits they wear leave me asking "what were they thinking"?

I once felt so certain about life, about what I knew, what I was capable of, how things worked and who/what I could trust. I had a certain understanding of the world. I no longer feel that way. I feel outdated.
 

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