First and foremost -- thanks for the post! Well-reasoned and level -- 'ppreciate that!
Yes, they are out there, but for our generation people like you and I are exceptions, not the rule. FWIW: You and I are pretty much on the same wave-length. Did you happen to grow up in a smaller town or rural area? By your subsistence patterns and way of life, I'd guess that more than a city dweller. My grandparents on both sides owned farms (one also raised horses) and sold them and moved into a small town back in the 1960s. I'm still a pretty handy person (compared to most in our age range, I'll be 25 in April) -- but I wonder what my life would had been liked had my family not abandoned their old way of life. (On my dad's side, they didn't have a choice, my grandfather died when my dad was 10 and there wasn't someone old enough in their family or able to take care of all the things they had -- so making a change was the most rational choice.)
More than anything, I'm technologically skilled and inclined. I got my first computer when I was 3 (Tandy 386) and have been an avid user ever since. I obtained my Bachelors of Science in two different fields (Political Science and Anthropology), but my technological skills are undoubtedly what have put me ahead of others in the job market. My first job off the rip was being a Legal Analyst and Specialist. My second job (after I moved to Colorado) deals with publication and database development, and I also do quite a bit of sales and marketing.
Neither (besides in-depth knowledge of law and the legal system through school) of those positions related to what I did through University, but required extensive knowledge in computers, programming, etc. that I obtained off the side because of my avid interest in such matters. My father was a smart guy and knew that the very fabric we're speaking over would have a profound impact the world over. He's still shocked that I didn't end up majoring in Computer Science or MIS. I just wasn't interested in taking all the math required to obtain the degree.
So long story short, I guess I'm thankful on my upbringing. I have a mix of the old ways and the new ways and I feel pretty well-equipped moving forward. Overall, I think the discourse in this thread has been pretty negative to us younglings, but most every older generation puts their nose down on those who replace them, but it's understandable. Kids ten to fifteen years younger than me are learning information in new ways and receiving it faster than ever before. I'm going to have to keep my will strong and aspirations up, or I'll end up like the middle-aged analogs who are losing to the youth digitals these days.
Take care homie!
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