How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is
To have a thankless child!
- King Lear
In my thirtieth year, I find myself realizing the fairly indistinct line between the youthful and the older. I see my persona beginning to bleed into the aged, accompanied by all eccentricities that coincide with the aged. I look at some of the young people in my company, and I simply don't understand some of them. Their taste in music seems to be getting less and less provocative to me, their fads less and less comprehensible. I'm starting to become one of the "squares."
There has always been something of a lack in respect between a generation it's immediate predecessor. James Dean proclaimed it in Rebel Without a Cause, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince declared it by saying "Parents just don't understand." In my personal experience, a current mantra (that I'm happy to see slowly fading away in my immediate surroundings) is "I deserve excellent things to be provided for me. I'm worth it." I've heard that the current generation is something of a "what's in it for me" generation, as all youthful individuals find themselves on an intellectually even playing field, looking down upon generations past. This current generation of youth has the intellect and ability to answer virtually any challenge given to it via the digital world and the immediacy of information. Therefore, these young people can develop something of a haughtiness, as they can actually be selective about the challenges put before them, for they will have a higher rate of success. The antiquated world around this generation strives to assimilate these fresh young minds into their preexisting and failing infrastructure as a way to preserve themselves and move into the future.
What's my point? Gratitude. Each generation lays the tracks of success for the next generation. But, it seems to me that gratitude has become less and less a factor as the generations progress. I have a particular case in mind - a student that has gone on to great initial success, but mainly due to my intervention. I don't mean to cry out for instant gratification; an accusation that has been thrown at me many times in the past. The whole story is not told yet. At a critical moment in this student's life, this student stood upon a precipice. On one side was fantastic success. On the other was starting over. This student waited to prepare for success until the last minute. However, having virtually no history of personal failure, this student therefore did not comprehend even standing ON this precipice. So, this student assumed that everything would turn out all right in the end, and would be able to achieve this great success unaided. I knew better. Acting schools do place a lot of emphasis on academic acheivement and the strength of recommendation letters, to be sure. However, the true test is the audition. Without that being the student's best work, the student should throw in the towel. My assistance gave this student the tools for the fantastic success that has since been achieved. But, since that time, this student seems to have turned against me, and I don't understand why. This student is deliberatley sabotaging by efforts with others, efforts very similar to those that helped this student achieve success. My guidance to others (the same guidance that allowed this student the opportunity for prosperity) indefinitely seems to be discredited and thus refuted. Had it not been for my intervention, this student would literally be somewhere else, somewhere not to this student's particular liking. So, why would this student be jeopardizing my efforts with others? I have my theories. It could be presumptuous lustful jealousy. It could be that this student doesn't realize that all this success would not have been possible without my help. But, more than any of these, I will credit generational smugness. I believe all of these things to be factors, but the latter is the most important. The other two factors simply support and amplify the third.
Of course there are other factors making me ponder on this generational gap right now. I seem to be easily forsaken, which is different from other people of theatrical merit in this community. I see my students absolutely revel in my my colleagues' opinions (even their presence!) But, more than anything, it seems that the students would rather die than upset these people. But not me. Of course, I'm not asking for idolatry. I just hoped that exhibiting leadership and some expertise would be earn respect. I didn't force respect. Perhaps I've shown them something of a more forgiving persona, and therefore can be easily discarded. I'm not sure. All I know is that I don't like the feeling of being easily discarded.
As I scan for quotes from others that may be in similar predicaments, I find Samuel Johnson's words from Life of Johnson : "A man is very apt to complain of the ingratitude of those who have risen far above him." Being a biographer, Johnson must have seen many cases to support this idea. Perhaps there is a small nagging gremlin in me pulling my jealousy strings. But, I do have to say, I don't think it's ethical to forget the ones that put you where you are. At some point in my life, I must have been guilty of this, and maybe unconsciously, I still am.
But, in any case, I will do my best to rise above it, and without hearing any proclamations of gratitude, I will say, "You're welcome."
Now, earn it.
-retrosweater
One of my favorite albums, ever. In this moment of vainly attempting to wash my image from the fuselage, rage music helps; particularly rage music concept albums inspired by Bowie-era Glam Rock.
