“Old Age That Is Tied To Me…”

Depicting the 1990s, the fifth season of “The Crown” is working much closer to viewers’ memories — and feels less docu than drama, @Autumnsan1 writes. https://t.co/GBQw3gKAEO

— Washington Post Opinions (@PostOpinions) November 10, 2022

This is a remarkably stupid and annoying comment.

Stupid because it assumes the audience is as young as the writer, and that no one watching Netflix or reading WaPo remembers anything prior to the last decade of the last century. And if they do, they’re too old to address.

Annoying because I’m beginning to realize age is becoming a marker of deserved irrelevance.

The role of young people in this election cannot be understated. Turnout delivered on many of these races.

By 2024, Millennials & Gen Z voters will outnumber voters who are Baby Boomers and older, 45/25.

We are beginning to see the political impacts of that generational shift. https://t.co/5U7AcMIgJi

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 9, 2022

I don’t disagree with AOC here, but I remember when the 26th Amendment was passed (well before the ‘90’s, so no one today remembers). It was supposed to usher in the era of liberals voting for Democrats. Instead we got the Reagan Revolution.

I’m not saying history will repeat itself. I’m just saying the “generational shift” may not last long. Give it ten years and get back to me. And be careful about generalizing people into groups based on any supposed common characteristics. That’s the root of racism, which is rightly pernicious. But the habit of classifying people by factors they are not responsible for (age, race, gender) is not made innocent because it excludes a pernicious category.

Nothing wrong with AOC’s observation. I want her to be right. I’m tired of always being out if step with society on matters religious or theological or political. And now (not by AOC), I’m being put out by my age. I’m a reactionary Boomer who needs to be replaced by a Millennial or a Gen Zer. Or my memories of a time before 30 years ago are irrelevant.

Not to mention how his stunts seemed designed to repel anyone under the age of Villages resident.

— RSchooley@socel.net (@Rschooley) November 10, 2022

I mean, I am the age of a Villages resident, but I’d honestly sooner live in a cardboard box than in a place like that. It’s a good line, and a sharp observation on the limited appeal of Ron DeSantis. I’m not objecting so much as I’m pointing out: we have to think carefully about who we exclude. Because it sucks being cast aside by your own side.

What’s ironic is the first episode of the new season of “The Crown” focuses on how the institution of the monarchy seemed set to collapse. And this while Andrew was still married to Sarah and Charles to Diana.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.