tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post6791253212719379801..comments2024-03-26T12:05:58.591-04:00Comments on Freemasons For Dummies: Western World Raises Most Boring Generation In Over Two CenturiesChristopher Hodapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-1131923082832504132019-05-08T17:01:26.247-04:002019-05-08T17:01:26.247-04:00Another placeholder: Two good starting references ...Another placeholder: Two good starting references for recent examinations of the post-<i>Bowling Alone</i> era breakdown in social capital and the current results on US society are Charles Murray's <i>Coming Apart,</i> and Timothy Carney's <i>Alienated America</i>. There are many more, but these are good beginnings.<br /><br />And every Masonic leader needs to be conversant with the General Social Survey, taken since 1972, which is the baseline study for almost anyone with an interest in studying the attitudes and activities of Americans.<br /><br />http://gss.norc.orgChristopher Hodapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-2244730411645465952019-05-08T16:50:46.040-04:002019-05-08T16:50:46.040-04:00Just as a placeholder for future reference, have a...Just as a placeholder for future reference, have a look at a survey taken by OnePoll for a bowling alley chain in 2019.<br /><br />https://www.studyfinds.org/no-fun-americans-mired-boredom-131-days-year/<br /><br /><i>"A survey of 2,000 Americans finds that for the average adult, more than a third of their year is spent mired in boredom....<br /><br />"Full-time, “adult” responsibilities, particularly work and parenting, appear to be sucking the fun out of American adults’ lives.. The results showed that 60% of participants believe their life is just too “grown-up.” In fact, 73% miss aspects of what they remember from childhood, such as spending time with friends (50%), fewer responsibilities (52%), and attending birthday parties (25%)... About two in five (39%) respondents agreed they’d prefer a night out bowling instead of going to an exercise class. A quarter would rather spend the afternoon at the arcade than at brunch. And one in five would choose to have a sleepover with friends than going to the movies...."</i><br /><br />The article and summary both miss the most crucial aspect of their own study - those respondents uniformly are craving HUMAN INTERACTION. They want face to face contact with people they like. Friendships, not just being in a room with other warm bodies doing solitary things (like exercising).Christopher Hodapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-84991444473183483972019-04-10T05:50:19.658-04:002019-04-10T05:50:19.658-04:00A lot of of people still seem to use "Milleni...A lot of of people still seem to use "Millenials" as a short-hand for "Kids These Days" even though most millenials are in their 30's by now.SimonChrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712929603432220479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-42229038157679069642019-04-09T14:24:58.180-04:002019-04-09T14:24:58.180-04:00Should've been an 'and post-' followin...Should've been an 'and post-' following that Millennials. I must've deleted it while I was attempting to clean up my punctuation. Whether you were born between 1980-2000 or after 2000, the same moving stereotypes are being heaped on all of us under the age of 35. And to answer your question; a group of people so digitally inclined aren't very likely to have any interest in an institution that can't even decide if it wants WiFi in its meeting spaces without multiple business meetings and some broken friendships.Ethan Harrison Cokerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08293482430311454576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-75133996063054079902019-04-09T10:50:22.365-04:002019-04-09T10:50:22.365-04:00But this article isn't about Millennials. It&#...But this article isn't about Millennials. It's the next generation after them who are just turning 19 or 20 today. Odd how this post keeps getting branded in discussion forums as being insulting to Millennials - not at all. It's talking about sociological observations and trends of the NEXT generation, which is the first to be raised entirely with smartphones in their hands.Christopher Hodapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-33300604629153864802019-04-09T07:53:26.749-04:002019-04-09T07:53:26.749-04:00This is why it's so important to get young peo...This is why it's so important to get young people involved in the Masonic Youth groups at a young age: 1) to expose them to something greater, 2) to give them a positive introduction to Masonic values and entice them to join when they have attained "lawful age," and 3) to preserve the Masonic organization for the next 25 to 50 years.Jody Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01136747179082148316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-89736587057783118012019-04-08T23:44:26.490-04:002019-04-08T23:44:26.490-04:00Speaking as a teacher, students are much more conc...Speaking as a teacher, students are much more concerned about their future jobs and careers than they were years ago. It's hard to interest them in things that don't have a vocational flavor. Brother Jefferson, the reality with many lodges is that they lac relevance for young people and the absolutely disastrous decline in membership is continuing. Bro. Paul Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06435030965629467739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-651059221812710722019-04-08T08:31:19.130-04:002019-04-08T08:31:19.130-04:00Cut to the article in six months where they're...Cut to the article in six months where they're destroying the economy and are rife with behavioral problems. Millennials are the multi-purpose boogeyman to the mid-life masses. Guilty of ALL the deficiencies.Ethan Harrison Cokerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08293482430311454576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-361391021716718892019-04-08T00:14:28.040-04:002019-04-08T00:14:28.040-04:00I’ve been very curious how that magazine has been ...I’ve been very curious how that magazine has been selling, so thanks for the anecdotal experience. Christopher Hodapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-4607591339718676142019-04-07T22:05:59.666-04:002019-04-07T22:05:59.666-04:00Life seems to follow certain patterns and cycles. ...Life seems to follow certain patterns and cycles. Hopefully, young 15 year old males will eventually become interested in the joining the Craft when they come of age. It is possible they will if they meet Masons who continue to set a good example, help them clarify what they have read about the Craft, and offer strong guidance. <br /><br />Despite the drivel passing for politics these days and religious intolerance, I am proud to see Freemasonry is staying true to her purpose thanks to our leadership and the support of our members. <br /><br />This month's "H" (History) magazine is a reissue of a Special Edition on " Secret Societies " which was first published in 2016. It is flying off the shelves on a Naval Base where I do business. Approximately 40 copies sold out in less than two days at $14.00 a copy. Now some might say, well, Sailors need reading material while away at sea. That may be true. But some may also be hungry for what we have to offer. Thomas Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16496528868148315705noreply@blogger.com