Really the first show of that kind was "American Family" on PBS back in the early 70's. It documented the decay and destruction of the Loud family in California. Much of it was very riveting viewing at the time. We had never seen anything like it.

Albert Brooks did a great parody of that show with the movie "Real Life"....
So as not to be conspicuous, the cameramen in the film within a film used cameras that looked a lot like deep sea diver helmets and would stand in various places in the background like suits of armor . . . except with deep sea diver helmets.

The day that things really started to go wrong in America was the day that kids had to stop walking five miles to school--uphill both ways--in neck deep snow and could only purchase mousetraps that had a tendency to snap on your fingers when you tried to set them.

While I mostly agree with your original statements on this topic PQ, I think you are overgeneralizing about today's younger people. I understand my perspective will differ from society due to my job, but I have seen countless selfless acts by young kids in extraordinary situations. The average age of those serving in Afghanistan is somewhere around 20. I have also met numerous younger people in OKC who have stepped up and become involved in civic matters. Of course there are always some who exhibit poor attitudes, but I don't think it is fair to assign all of what is wrong with America to young people. Those that feel entitled to anything they want most likely learned those behaviors from their parents....and other older people.

Oh, I'm with you. I wasn't talking about those folks and have nothing but the greatest respect and appreciation for the ones who serve and give back and want to build something - and I don't mean the ones who talk a lot but don't do much.

My comment was directly related to the statement that the older generation owes this one an apology because they had it good and they don't. There is nothing special about this current crop of young adults - as a group - that makes them any better than previous generations or makes them entitled to some sort of apology. That is just ridiculous and if there is evidence that the current crop is delusional about how they stack up in terms of worthiness, there it is. They have no idea what it is like to be forced to war and come back without a leg if they come back at all. They have NO idea what it was like for the ones forced to Vietnam, regardless of whether they supported the war or not. They have no idea what it was like to see a son sent off to die or be maimed in a foreign land by virtue of the power of the government - with no choice in the matter. Compared to what previous generations have given their country, what have they done besides whine that they have it so bad and what they are owed?

No, I don't mean the ones giving back - but when you see someone complaining because they have it so bad as compared to their parents, there is no way for me to hear that without wondering if they have any idea of the sacrifices others made and how shallow they come across. This fixation on what they don't have - allegedly as compared to their parents - coupled with a complete blindness compared to how the rest of the world lives - coupled with so many of them demanding MORE entitlements while complaining that their parents "robbed them" by virtue of older entitlements - how crazy is that?

Other with the exception of a remarkable volunteer military, what the hell has the average young person done but live their life - quite well, as a matter of fact - and take? Ask not what your country can do for you was what was once cheered. This group - some of them - want apologies from the generations that frequently gave their lives for this country. Christ.

Exactly...The old "back in my day" nonsense is annoying...Kinda like the best neighborhood debates that go nowhere where you get all of the "mine is best" posts

Of course it is annoying to the ones who think they are already deserving of pity and claim victim status. Poor things, their lives are so hard they deserve an apology because their grandparents - who often died on the field of battle - get medicare.

Of course it is annoying to the ones who think they are already deserving of pity and claim victim status. Poor things, their lives are so hard they deserve an apology because their grandparents - who often died on the field of battle - get medicare.

No they deserve an apology cause their grandparents bankrupted their country

No they deserve an apology cause their grandparents bankrupted their country

Ridiculous. Medicaid is a much bigger problem than medicare and quite a few of their grandparents aren't even old enough to qualify for medicare.

Other with the exception of a remarkable volunteer military, what the hell has the average young person done but live their life - quite well, as a matter of fact - and take? Ask not what your country can do for you was what was once cheered. This group - some of them - want apologies from the generations that frequently gave their lives for this country. Christ.

The average person today will do pretty much what the average person of generations past did, live their lives, get a job, pay taxes, and so forth. Then, when they get to be in their 50's and 60's, they'll make gross over-generalizations about how lazy and worthless the current generation of youngsters is, just like past generations.

No they deserve an apology cause their grandparents bankrupted their country

Because the greatest generation spent money, we don't speak German.

Because the greatest generation spent money, we don't concern ourselves with obliteration in 30 minutes from nuclear war.

This list is very long. I'm shocked there are people here who think people over 50 owe an apology to anybody for anything. Every generation has picked up from the generation before and may have felt things could, or should, have been done differently, but I think this is the first generation to feel so entitled that they ask for an apology.

Because the greatest generation spent money, we don't speak German.

Because the greatest generation spent money, we don't concern ourselves with obliteration in 30 minutes from nuclear war.

This list is very long. I'm shocked there are people here who think people over 50 owe an apology to anybody for anything. Every generation has picked up from the generation before and may have felt things could, or should, have been done differently, but I think this is the first generation to feel so entitled that they ask for an apology.

Rumor has it the older generations have racked up 16 trillion in debt...Appreciate them and all of they have done but they damn sure left an economic mess for the kiddos

I'm 19 and think that this is a generation that expects entitlements and handouts. It is becoming more and more prevalent and I see it all the time. Obviously as people mature they get smarter, but I notice some people in my generation that are flat out stupid sometimes and it is kind of scary to realize what they want. More so, the consequences. As a 19 year old, I have big plans for my life and that doesn't include getting a free ride from the government. Now, if I need help, I never know what might befall me and one day I might need the government for help, but one thing is for sure. I will pay back! No doubt.

I'm 19 and think that this is a generation that expects entitlements and handouts. It is becoming more and more prevalent and I see it all the time. Obviously as people mature they get smarter, but I notice some people in my generation that are flat out stupid sometimes and it is kind of scary to realize what they want. More so, the consequences. As a 19 year old, I have big plans for my life and that doesn't include getting a free ride from the government. Now, if I need help, I never know what might befall me and one day I might need the government for help, but one thing is for sure. I will pay back! No doubt.


Not just your generation young man.