Don't cry when the kids growing up don't want your old car!!!

[Dino]

Use it or lose it.

I think we need to remember that people were not all that smart to begin with.  Younger people may read some of this and think we were all brainiacs before technology and PC came along.  

I cannot remember where I heard this but it was about the future of the really hard professions.  The rocket scientists and the likes.  It may have been a valid study but I cannot be sure, but the conclusion was that 50 years fro now, we may not have the intelligence to sustain much of our highly complicated professions...

I hope it is not true because that's pretty scary.

Being a biology student I do have to say that we likely kill this planet before that happens anyway.

Edit:  to be a bit on topic here, I don't have kids and if I did, the car is mine so go find yourself your own pos!   

[Ghoste]

In Planet of the Apes, the humans did become stupider as the apes got smarter so I can see that happening.

[odcics2]

Humans are a spec on the timeline of Earth.   Even in a full nuclear exchange, we'd be gone and the next "thing" would evolve to run a muck!

I think "we" give ourselves too much credit for messing this place up!!   


p.s. On the McDonalds - 15 buck an hour thing:  That was a part time job when you were in high school - never meant to raise a family on!!

You'd grow up and then get a "real" job.    Ahhhh, those jobs are overseas now...   Ooops... 

We got screwed by Corporate Greed looking for less labor rates!!   

[bull]

Use it or lose it.

I think we need to remember that people were not all that smart to begin with.  Younger people may read some of this and think we were all brainiacs before technology and PC came along.  

I cannot remember where I heard this but it was about the future of the really hard professions.  The rocket scientists and the likes.  It may have been a valid study but I cannot be sure, but the conclusion was that 50 years fro now, we may not have the intelligence to sustain much of our highly complicated professions...

I hope it is not true because that's pretty scary.

Being a biology student I do have to say that we likely kill this planet before that happens anyway.

Now hold up a minute. People are getting dumber and yet your professors know that we're going to kill the planet? I wouldn't put too much stock into what your professors say about that (and many other things too). "Geniuses" have been trying to explain the world around us for centuries and pretty much all we end up with is more questions. They input their "known" data, create their computer models, produce unprovable results and then along comes reality and turns it all inside out. Just recently planet HD 106906 b was discovered and the "facts" regarding planet formation, so-called, suddenly weren't facts anymore and the speculation theories had to be dusted off and reexamined. Empirical data is limited and even the alledged truths they come up with often accompany unexplainable anomalies. Yes, people are getting dumber, and college professors are people too.

[Dino]

The rate at which we are changing the planet is well known and well supported, there's nothing future about that.  I agree that 'we' are only a blip in the existence of the planet but I am talking about this era, not 500 million years ago when life invaded land!   

Of course we don't know everything, that's why we have science, to find out! 

Science always gets rewritten, that's the nature of the beast!  You find support for your hypothesis or you do not.  When you do not, you reject it.  When you do then you can state you found support but you can never state you have evidence, not in science.  The whole point of the hypothesis is so that if other scientist find other support or materials to reject this hypothesis.

If there is a theory then it is seriously supported, but we need to accept that on many levels we know very little.

You can focus on a tiny aspect of science such as the formation of a planet or finding out Pluto ain't one of them, or you can take a look at what as been achieved so far.

Either way I don't really care, but you're missing out on some interesting stuff.

[nvrbdn]

regardless of whats happening on the planet, my kids are trying to figure out who will be the lucky ones to drive my cars when im gone.

[Ghoste]

We might kill ourselves but I think the planet will find a way around us.

[polywideblock]

my kids are already sparing with each other over who gets what      i'v solved the problem theres three kids and three cars each one has been left  a specific car ( I thought about getting executor to the will  to put all keys in a can and let them draw for it, youngest first as the oldest always got to go first    )

[JB400]

Mars One has got the answer for our future.  They're going to start sending people to Mars in 10 years and it's a one way trip.  Skip will finally be able to go home

Unfortunately, I have to agree that we're getting too dependant on technology.  I saw on the news they want to ban cursive writing in school because they can't teach it on an i pad   Our next generations are going to be more stupid because that's the way they're going to be taught.

[ws23rt]

Use it or lose it.

I think we need to remember that people were not all that smart to begin with.  Younger people may read some of this and think we were all brainiacs before technology and PC came along.  

I cannot remember where I heard this but it was about the future of the really hard professions.  The rocket scientists and the likes.  It may have been a valid study but I cannot be sure, but the conclusion was that 50 years fro now, we may not have the intelligence to sustain much of our highly complicated professions...

I hope it is not true because that's pretty scary.

Being a biology student I do have to say that we likely kill this planet before that happens anyway.

Now hold up a minute. People are getting dumber and yet your professors know that we're going to kill the planet? I wouldn't put too much stock into what your professors say about that (and many other things too). "Geniuses" have been trying to explain the world around us for centuries and pretty much all we end up with is more questions. They input their "known" data, create their computer models, produce unprovable results and then along comes reality and turns it all inside out. Just recently planet HD 106906 b was discovered and the "facts" regarding planet formation, so-called, suddenly weren't facts anymore and the speculation theories had to be dusted off and reexamined. Empirical data is limited and even the alledged truths they come up with often accompany unexplainable anomalies. Yes, people are getting dumber, and college professors are people too.

I agree with this but what may be a clearer way to describe it is people are not learning as much as they formerly did in high school (and earlier grades).

The term used today is grade inflation.  Any professor that has been around a while knows what this is.  They have to adjust their thinking and teaching methods about the new incoming students. The very new professors are where they are now because of grade inflation as well and they adapt much quicker to all the empty heads coming into their classes.

I feel that people are as smart as they ever were they just don't learn as many things as we used to. A very smart person can be called dumb because they haven't learned much.

[Mike DC]

          
Everyone, are you ready to be shocked?

Okay.  Brace yourself:  

Americans are getting SMARTER than ever, according to the best data we have.



It's a consistent and steadily-growing phenomenon of I.Q. testing over the last 100 years.  They call it the "Flynn Effect."  Over the decades the difference has added up to quite a bit. 

It could be debated whether we are really getting smarter or our brains are just becoming more acclimated to certain relevant kinds of logical thinking at an earlier age.  But the results are what they are. IMO it's pretty hard to argue that the testing is so far off that we're actually getting dumber.

       

[ws23rt]

The term dumb usually means low IQ.  Or that is what is felt when we hear it.

Being knowledgeable is something a person can be with very low IQ.   And some would call them smart.

We are a complex critter.

[Lord Warlock]

It doesn't bother me that my kids don't want my cars, I don't want to give them my cars so we're even in a way.  My future son in law likes my charger, but he and his dad would make a GL out of it, so that rules them out, neither of my kids ever saw me drive the charger so they never got a chance to fall in love with the attention it might bring.  They both noticed the attention we got driving the stealth, but the oldest doesn't want it because its a stick shift car, and I don't trust the youngest not to kill herself so she can't have it.  They both like the new challenger but it hardly counts, it has all the do dahs that kids today want in a car.

I'd rather keep them as long as i can, and when i get too old to work on them or enjoy them, sell them for cash, then I'll waste the cash on me and the wife in a way that the kids won't see a benefit.  I don't plan on leaving the kids much when I go, I got them into/thru college and that should be enough.  In order to earn a share of the toys, they have to invest some time with the hobby and show appreciation for it, if they don't they won't get those toys.  They want our furniture more than they want our cars. 

Minimum wage is comparable to our wages when we were young, if they scrimped and saved like we did, they could occasionally go out and have fun on a weekend.  The eldest and her boyfriend have managed to live off of two minimum wages and its taught them money management.  The youngest doesn't have a clue though, she thinks she's entitled to all her earnings and we should pay for her gas, her car, her cell, her gym membership, as well as all the food she wastes.  Hopefully she'll learn what reality offers soon, or its going to be tough on her.

[ws23rt]

We spend many years raising our kids and in the process have neglected our selves to some extent.

When I was young I looked forward to being older.  I saw it as a time earned for our selves after the kids needs were met.

I told my kids that my last check will bounce so not to plan on a big inheritance.

[myk]

The kids don't want my car?  Good, let them fumble and fuss over their tricked out Scions; it just means I can hold onto the Charger for a little longer...

[polywideblock]

kids these days a tech savvy , kindergarten kids probably know more about computers than I do . but I think they've lost the "common sense "gene somewhere along the line 

[myk]

kids these days a tech savvy , kindergarten kids probably know more about computers than I do . but I think they've lost the "common sense "gene somewhere along the line 

My 'cell phone is the same one I've had since 2006-it can send texts and "gasp" make phone calls and makes a great paperweight.  Modern youth is obviously more tech-savvy than I or my cars will ever be but I'm completely OK with that...

[bull]

I guess it depends on the definition of smart. Was Hitler smart? Yes. Was Stalin smart? Yes. Did they do things most people would consider wise? No. Extreme examples for sure but when I think about some of the "smart" people I know I don't necessarily think of them as being wise or well-rounded. Regarding the do-everything car the Y-generation apparently wants, is it wise to focus our intellect on insulating ourselves from life? Is it smart to simply read books and snippets of online info but neglect physical skills and dexterity? When I say dexterity I mean beyond two thumbs on an Xbox controller. There are many book-smart people today who probably couldn't figure out how to cook a meal without a microwave. They can kill 2,000 virtual zombies in one sitting but probably couldn't defend themselves against an angry chihuahua outside a 7-11. They can't get to the Chile's across town without GPS but are adept in discussing string theory. Is that smart?

[Dino]

They can kill 2,000 virtual zombies in one sitting but probably couldn't defend themselves against an angry chihuahua outside a 7-11.

Dud, you owe me a mouthful of coffee!  I totally forgot about that incident.   

regardless of whats happening on the planet, my kids are trying to figure out who will be the lucky ones to drive my cars when im gone.

That's way cool!  How old are your kids?

We might kill ourselves but I think the planet will find a way around us.

Yes it will.  The planet will be fine, just different.


Back on topic for a minute here:  I was moving some stuff in the garage last night and had the door open and a neighborhood kid (14-ish I would guess) walking his dog commented on the car.  He said he drools every time I drive by his house so I thanked him and promised him a ride next spring.   

[Baldwinvette77]

 Hey now, chihuahuas are unpredictable killers, atleast zombies are slow. 

[Ghoste]

As a Chihuahua owner I can tell you the little pricks are aggressive as all get out.  They suffer from little dogs disease big time.  Luckily their bite pressure can just barely pierce the skin of a grape so you can laugh them off as an annoyance.
As for my kids, well I bought the car for me.  I was into it before they were born and I don't force them to share my interests.  If they do great, if they don't great.  I enjoy the car and when I am gone, they can sell it to a new caretaker or keep it.

[nvrbdn]

regardless of whats happening on the planet, my kids are trying to figure out who will be the lucky ones to drive my cars when im gone.

That's way cool!  How old are your kids?

the boys are 34, 32, 22 and all old car nuts.  i told the wife we need to get 1 more car so each can have one.

[1974dodgecharger]

In Planet of the Apes, the humans did become stupider as the apes got smarter so I can see that happening.

Then all the apes will take the chargers.....damn it.

[Ghoste]

I can picture Charlton Heston right now, screaming at the delapidated remains of Grand Spaulding Dodge. 

[RoscoePColtrain]

Quoting bull "As far as technology goes, we may be keeping up with the Joneses but it had made people intellectually lazy and unable to interact without becoming offended. Therefore, many people cannot admit to being wrong anymore and therefore believe they have no reason to held accountable."

I couldn't agree more... people these days rely too much on technology.  My niece is 9 and the school system is thinking of removing cursive writing from the curriculum and introducing tablets.  I understand that you have to move with technology, hell, i'm in IT, but to take away cursive writing?  Another thing, I've finally got her better at her multiplication, but her teacher said they use calculators! We won't even talk about 11 year olds requiring a smart phone.  Society has definitely become hyper-PC to the point where its affecting social growth and raising kids that are unwilling/unable to take risks/a chance/speak their mind.

We're not "allowed" to tell kids they didn't do well at something (not in a deameaning way obviously) and they have to work on it, why? Because it may hinder/scar them emotionally...Really???... No, seriously, reallly???  

I was walking into work and this young kid blatently shoulders me in the sea of people.  I said "serioulsly, you're just gonna hit me like that?"  I got back a "Coz I can".  Now I have a short temper, so the misses says, and I was about to go off, but the misses (who takes the same route to work), says you know what people are like in Union, lets just go... "Coz I can".. hell, theres some no accountablility...