Optimum World
- Jan 20
- 2010
Editor’s Web Note: Could humans finally be weary of violence and exploitation? As of today’s date, the sci-fi film “Avatar” holds the spot for the second-highest grossing film ever made. For all the complaints from the intellectual community and the Christian right, Cameron makes a spiritual life of peace and ecological balance look sumptuously fulfilling. If it wasn’t for “abandonment guilt”, most young people would head to Pandora in a hot second. —Lauren
DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I have a grandnephew, 15, from Kentucky and a grandson, 16, from California. Both say “Avatar” is the best movie they’ve ever seen. When I asked why, I expected to hear about the amazing graphics. But they surprised me saying it was the storyline. Independently, they both…
- Jan 6
- 2010
Editor’s Web Note: I get so excited about this generation. They are the most socially tolerant, emotionally aware, and loving generation this country has known. Perhaps it is due to a childhood free of physical violence (most Boomer parents didn’t spank) that allowed their hearts to expand instead of contract. They don’t even know how amazing they are. Most are seriously puzzled by why anyone would think something is wrong with a black or female president, or two people of the same sex being in love and getting married. It doesn’t occur to them that this should be something to fear. It is truly an honor to work with them. —Lauren
DEAR READERS: What’s wrong with the world? How can we improve it? Here is Part II of the panel’s vision for 2010. As I said last week, the Millennial Generation are old souls when it comes to understanding root causes and psychological processes—and knowing that lasting change springs from…
- Dec 30
- 2009
Editor’s Web Note: This is one of my favorite columns of the year and this year the panel had so much to say that the column will continue next week. I’m honored to work with this generation. Once dubbed Generation Y, this generation is so far from being an offshoot of Generation X, that they are now mostly referred to as the Millennial Generation or “Millennials.” —Lauren
DEAR READERS: The young people on this panel range from age 12 to 24. They are part of the Millennial Generation, born from 1982- 2001. The most striking thing about “Milllennials” is that they grew up hard-wired to instant communication technologies. Young people today are strongly…
- Feb 18
- 2009
DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I am 20, engaged to be married, and pregnant with our first child. The problem is I’m worried about raising children in today’s “raunch” culture. My fiancé’s nephews (ages 6 to 13) are constantly pointing at girls on the street, calling them fat or prostitutes, and…
- Dec 24
- 2008
DEAR READERS: I’m thrilled to present this year’s youthful hopes and dreams for 2009. The concept “as within, so without” is grasped clearly by this generation. Tolerance, environmentalism, and truth prevailing over deception, remain huge themes for survival, and, compared to last year,…
- Nov 19
- 2008
DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: Every morning I drive my granddaughter to high school and sit there in traffic observing all the kids: backpacks slung over shoulders, every hand gripping a cell phone. I’ve been in the newspaper business 46 years, starting right out of high school, and I’d like to ask…
- Jun 11
- 2008
DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I’m a regular reader and am impressed with your panelists. I would like to ask the older ones what advice, looking back, they would give to a high school graduate. Teens don’t necessarily listen to their elders, but they might listen to them. Two of my grandchildren are…
