The youth of today / clueless old gits

hardwood said:

There was no assertion that anyone was rubbish, more pointing out that some very basic skills are missing. You don't need to have ever wired a plug to realise that the cable can be cut and a new end connected without the need for a converter.

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I don't have a clue about plugs so I'm obviously missing a basic skill.

However @hardwood talking of basic skills, how are you on shortening curtains, sewing a button on, making a casserole, washing, ironing, spring cleaning, making cakes, organising the church tombola, gardening, weeding, charity volunteering, throwing together a dinner party for 8 at a moments notice, changing a nappy, reading a bedtime story, going to work, shopping for food, collecting the dry cleaning ...

We all have different skill sets, what is obvious to you about plugs and cables isn't obvious to others that are busy doing other equally important things.

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Now who's been drinking?

Yes I did list several random things just for the sake of it I suppose.

However, I'm over 55 and I don't know how to mend a puncture on a bike.

While your parents were busy passing down their skills to you they appear to have forgotten one basic skill and that's how to spell.

I'd class myself as the youth of today (I've got another week in my early 30s). Yes, there are some things I can't do that some people older can, and that may be down to parenting, although my father is awful at DIY so us kids became quite practical. There are things I can do that older people can't though, because as technology has developed skill sets have changed.

hardwood said:

Again more personal insults and no effort in listing skills which are missing or suggesting possible solutions.

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I felt it was a personal insult calling me "a clueless old git" because I don't have the knowledge to carry out certain skills.

Depending on the voltage sensitivity of the product and the variance from nominal of the actual supplied voltage, it may not be advisable to use a 220VAC specific device in the UK or a 240VAC specific device in Mainland Europe etc. For instance a 240VAC supply can rise to as high as 254.4VAC and still be within tolerance, but the maximum rated voltage for a 220VAC product is only 242VAC. A 220VAC supply can drop as low as 206.8 within tolerance but the minimum rated voltage for correct operation of a 240VAC product is 216VAC It may work perfectly well either way but it could be, technically, outside the specification of the equipment with obvious implications. A 230VAC product must be compatible with all voltages across this range

Comments Gram?

S

hardwood said:

Again more personal insults and no effort in listing skills which are missing or suggesting possible solutions.
The only real sensible suggestion so far was from trumpet who stated he would be willing to swap his concrete mixing for computer skills.
Perhaps if the thread was to have more sensible suggestions such as the above then it might be possible for people swap skills and transfer knowedlge to the mutual benefit of each other. A kind of Stafford grey economy where Carole bakes a cake in exchange for someone fixing her bike puncture.

But feel free to stick with your negativity and criticism of otherwise since that clearly makes you feel better and makes such a great difference doesn't it.

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Did you ask for suggestions or listing skills? I thought the original post was about "Have you seen an cocky youngster and then thought to yourself you really don't a clue, feel free to share your stories".

Regardless of age the skills people can apply are down to their own situation and/or training.

I agree that today's culture leads to a lack of the sort of skills that my generation were taught or acquired through "hands on" experimentation but that's life today I'm afraid.

Finally the opportunities to learn stuff are more limited nowadays e.g. Have you tried fixing a modern car? It is all too easy to find answers at the push of a button rather than taking things apart and learning how things work?

Trumpet said:

Now who's been drinking?

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Reading this thread and the feeding horses thread makes me wish I had.

Lots.

If anyone would like any help in advanced Excel formulas I am more than happy to help (although am sick of seeing them this week)

stoofer34 said:

Depending on the voltage sensitivity of the product and the variance from nominal of the actual supplied voltage, it may not be advisable to use a 220VAC specific device in the UK or a 240VAC specific device in Mainland Europe etc. For instance a 240VAC supply can rise to as high as 254.4VAC and still be within tolerance, but the maximum rated voltage for a 220VAC product is only 242VAC. A 220VAC supply can drop as low as 206.8 within tolerance but the minimum rated voltage for correct operation of a 240VAC product is 216VAC It may work perfectly well either way but it could be, technically, outside the specification of the equipment with obvious implications. A 230VAC product must be compatible with all voltages across this range

Comments Gram?

S

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Madness. If you're 10 volts from failure, then I wouldn't be plugging it in in Germany.

It is purely a generation divide.

You 'old gits' who can wire your plugs, cannot track and kill wild animals with a few simple home made weapons, your generation cannot start a fire with a couple of sticks, you cannot ride horses or drive a cart, you cannot look after pigs, chickens and cows in your own back garden, you cannot sew your own clothes or grow your own vegetables or brew your own beer.

Those were the skill and necessities of the generations that came before you. I get there are exceptions to my list - I for one can ride a horse and I'm having a go with the veggies but as a general rule these our outdated needs. Now we drive cars and go to the shops, our time is spent on leisure and entertainment.

As the 'youth' of today - all be it the wrong side of 30, I wouldn't know where to start with the plug, I can do the cement though. But there is no real need for this, if every appliance arrived plug less I'm sure I would be a dab hand at it but I've never had any reason to learn this skill - as the older generations have never need to go out and hunt for their dinner or milk a cow before having their cereal.

The younger generations are more involved with recent advancements, that are curing cancer, researching renewable energy, they are building robots and advancing technologies. 20 year olds are doing things with computers that used to take 10 men a week to complete, many are less focused on manual occupations because it is the way the world is going.

Its easy to generalise with the kids of today being dumped in front of the telly but the majority of the kids currently in education will reach their twenties with the majority of the skills they need for the modern age.

I do however believe there is room for improvement, with the modern technology available at our fingertips there may be a need for less focus on working out the angles of a triangle - one skill I haven't needed since my GCSE year and more on current affairs, financial planning, health and nutrition and some of the more social and practical aspects of entering adulthood.

proactive said:

Reading this thread and the feeding horses thread makes me wish I had.

Lots.

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You and me both!

Carole said:

I don't have a clue about plugs so I'm obviously missing a basic skill.

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An archive picture of a dodgy plug I once noticed in a village south of Stafford.

Yes it's true, that plug was on an appliance in my kitchen.

And as an example of skill trading, my husband changed the plug and I made his tea.

Carole said:

Yes it's true, that plug was on an appliance in my kitchen.

And as an example of skill trading, my husband changed the plug and I made his tea.

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That plug could well be older than you, they look like they could be unsleeved L & N pins - worth changing anyway.