21 Comments

My first thought was to click for the trial subscription, but of course I would forget to cancel and get charged the full subscription price. Second thought, go to the library, but it's closed today (Sunday). Final thought: Wikipedia for a refresher on The Economist, where I learned "Individual articles are written anonymously, with no byline, in order for the paper to speak as one collective voice."

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Ah. I suspected as much. Thanks for checking it out.

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Because several people have commented on the anonymity of the author (and it surprises me, too), was it perhaps an editorial opinion of the paper? I know you know the difference between an op-ed and the editorial board, but the context of where you read it wasn't clear--sometimes articles online aren't well-identified. Not that who the author is excuses the stupidity of the content--just curious.

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I read it online so I can't say for sure, but the formatting suggests it was an article rather than an unsigned editorial.

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The fact that the article was published anonamously says a great deal. The author didn't have the courage to state h/is/er case under their name. And the editors accepted that. Fie! Looks like the generation that published this bilge is just as corrupt are us Boomers. We just have more fun and they're jealous.

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Sue, of course you're right. They're just pissed because we're the cool kids and they're not.

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When I saw the news about Marianne Faithfull's death, I had to explore. Since I'm learning Those Were the Days, I rediscovered Mary Hopkin. Both of these 60s divas were exquisite. Further proof we just had the coolest music, the hottest cars (even my camaro), and the most awesome clothes. Those were the days, my friend, those were the days.

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“People try to put us down/ Just because we get around. “

Your piece was right on, man!

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Thanks, man. And I hope I die before I get old!

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I agree. I should have been clearer that my question was made in jest. :)

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So was my response!

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We were a generation of rebels and troublemakers when we were young. I can only hope that we still have some of that in us, considering how much the world needs non-conformity more than ever.

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Susie, I think we do, and I hope it inspires the younger ones to pick up the torch.

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“ you and I and all our peers are responsible for the ills of our troubled world.” Assuming all of your readers are over 55 - talk about ageism! 🤣

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Point. But I think I know who my readers are - mostly.

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Ugh. I had a subscription to The Economist about 20 years ago and even then I was disgusted by the snarky ageist column headlines, almost always about older women's (unattractive) looks or (lack of) fashion savvy. I cancelled the subscription before the year was out.

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I didn't realize the attitudes were so longstanding. I guess economics really is the dismal science.

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Wow. It sounds like the "person" who wrote the article either doesn't get around a diverse group of people much, or they have some bitterness buried under a layer of poor self awareness. However, I don't want to make broad and unsubstantiated remarks, like "they" did. Could it have been AI?

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Jim, I don't believe AI has developed the meanness evident in the article. But perhaps it's only a matter of time.

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Published under "anonymous"? It's hard to believe they would print that opinion without someone owning up to it. But you're absolutely right. I've earned it. (Also—I'm called Generation Jones now; as the penultimate boomer, I'm perfectly aligned with the GenXers.)

Ageism is in fashion right now. And I have to go there: this was probably written by a liberal. Conservatives are too busy hating on trans people and immigrants and propping up their half-dead gerontocracy to spare that much loathing.

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Leslie, you may be right about Anonymous, but regardless, I think it sucks and I sell to hell with it.

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