"We'd make great pets!" sang Perry Farrell & Porno for Pyros in 1993.

From what I see on a constant basis from many of those locked into the "social network" way of life this seems to be exactly is happening in society. People in their 20s & 30s declaring how their other half "is their life" or "the best bf/gf in the world", or that their "little princess is my world" or "I love my children more than anything" etc like lovelorn immature 12 year olds...
We all know the dog species has, over the course of the past few hundred years, been deliberately bred as pets to remain (behaviour-wise) playful puppies for their whole life, this appears to have happened to human beings. I'm no Victorian killjoy, far from it, but *almost* everyone born after circa 1987, plus those older but of limited intelligence who have been sucked into the whole "social network" thing seem to be emotionally immature to the point of being retarded, talk act & spell like eternal 12 year olds, believe that everybody wants to hear every thought that enters their empty heads and live their lives as if they exist in the ridiculous soap operas they watch daily. People have become eternal idiots, ready to roll over and have their tummies tickled in return for a chocolate, they can be wound up and trained to jump, roll over or indeed kill by the circus-masters (media).

Or am I being unfair?

Thanks Chris, you write:

"*almost* everyone born after circa 1987, plus those older but of limited intelligence who have been sucked into the whole "social network" thing seem to be emotionally immature to the point of being retarded, talk act & spell like eternal 12 year olds, believe that everybody wants to hear every thought that enters their empty heads and live their lives as if they exist in the ridiculous soap operas they watch daily. People have become eternal idiots.."

Quite! This widespread condition you describe is known as "being young". Like you, I thoroughly deplore it.

Best Wishes,
Jim

Jim, with all due respect it's not as simple as that. And I speak as someone 'merely' in my 30s.

Chris is right; young people today are sweet and nice and totally shallow and superficial; I blame the Internet and instant gratification.

You seem to forget that the "sweet" youngsters took to the cold streets of London in November and December and showed more nerve that anyone over 25 years old in taking on the ELITE BANKING class who are robbing us all.

I am very hopeful of the young. I see an awakening amongst people under 20 - they are totally different from the 20 - 35 year olds who are braindead - and not only that our generation of 35 to 60 year olds are mired in nostalgia and often live in our past because the internet and DVDs etc has allowed us to do that if we want.

We need to live for NOW and look to the future. We need to stand up against violence and against exploitation. We need to to stand up FOR free speech and tolerance for all religions and views.

I truly believe we are at a crossroads in history. The signs in general are bad - but there is a glimmer of hope that I can see amongst those people who are awakening and those of us on here represent the older generation I think who are awakened to what life is all about.

We just need someone to tell Simon Cowell that he needs to be more adventurous and more political with his shows - he could do so much good rather than dumb down the nation in the pursuit of profit. Any man who stands by a friend like he did with JK has to be a caring and generous person. I have seen enough of his relationship with his mother on TV and his brother to see that he is a thoroughly decent chap - and yet his shows are part of the problem.

JK should make a comeback ! I would like to see Jonathan Ross - JK - Cowell - George Michael and Elton John do something together for the World. Not some sort fo charity rubbish like St Bob - but something to make people realise that happiness is about other people and being creative. Not money and fame. I would think all of the people I have named really believe that "fame and money" are a distraction from the real issues around life.

So as we look forward to a New Year - and I agree with the Original Poster - let's stop being PETS and start being caring individuals who see the World as one big family to which we all belong. There will be rows and tears sometimes but we can make this World a better place. Just believe and I believe the Children ARE our future.

Thanks BR, you write:

"We need to live for NOW and look to the future. We need to stand up against violence and against exploitation. We need to to stand up FOR free speech and tolerance for all religions and views. "

Bravo! Inspiring words. Strangely, or perhaps not so strangely, you have acquired the character of one descended from above.

Best Wishes,
Jim

I agree with this idea that adults have turned into perpetual adolescents.

It's ironic that it seems to have gone hand in hand with the ever more savage and artificial apartheid between 'children' (everyone under 18) and 'adults' (everyone over 18).

I think it has something to do with the fact that 17 year olds are treated like helpless infants, when they're really young adults - much closer to adulthood than childhood at that age. Teenagers aren't allowed to grow up through taking responsibility.

the most exciting 'youth' thing to happen in decades were the student riots..even if they were for fairly selfish reasons.

the superficiality of the last 15 years (think Jordan et al) has been so mind numbingling boring society is in danger of disappearing up it's own a*se.

naturally I blame R.Murdoch who has dumbed down society and even worse, the politicians as well.

The advent of, and popularity, these "interactive" games/activites are genuinely starting to make this years festive adverts look like selling a parade of "toys for grown ups".
I watched (not good for my brain) a large chunk of "T4" yesterday and just saw a series of people with absolutely nothing to say but post-modern platitudes and nicities. There was an "interview" (if you could call it that) with the over-promoted Ellie Goulding in which she described everything as "amazing" and said very little else, which reminded me of this interview with Noel Gallagher

Jim wrote:
Thanks Chris, you write:

"*almost* everyone born after circa 1987, plus those older but of limited intelligence who have been sucked into the whole "social network" thing seem to be emotionally immature to the point of being retarded, talk act & spell like eternal 12 year olds, believe that everybody wants to hear every thought that enters their empty heads and live their lives as if they exist in the ridiculous soap operas they watch daily. People have become eternal idiots.."

Quite! This widespread condition you describe is known as "being young". Like you, I thoroughly deplore it.

Best Wishes,
Jim

And that's known as 'clunkingly laboured Guardian reader irony'.

Best wishes,

Pru.