In a previous blog I wrote that it was ridiculous to have more babies so that in time they could look after the older generation. I suggested that it would be more cost-effective to encourage immigration of adults, rather than waste precious resources on educating children and teenagers.

In support of my view is the result of a 24 year study of college students at San Diego State University in the U.S

Day to Day, February 27, 2007 · College students today are more narcissistic and self-centered than a generation ago, according to a study released by San Diego State University. Students’ scores on the study’s Narcissistic Personality Inventory have steadily risen since the test was introduced in 1982.

In their study, researchers trace the phenomenon back to the “self-esteem movement” that began in in the 1980s. And, they say, young people’s self-regard is fueled by current technologies such as MySpace and YouTube.

Study psychologists worry the trend, attributable to the influences of schools, media and parents, could be harmful to personal relationships and American society. The study says narcissists are more likely to have short-lived romantic relationships and lack empathy.

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The one lesson that “The Godfather” movies taught me was that family and money don’t mix.

I’m referring to the recent suggestion made by Families Australia that grandparents should be paid for minding their grandchildren while the parents go to work. Continue reading →

The Rolling Stones have done it. The Police have done it as have Cream. Apparently, Genesis is getting in on the act too.

There’s no stopping The Re-Generation, my name for those old rockers who make a comeback. We loved them when we were young and we love them now cause they make us feel young.

But do they really?

I have to confess that I cringe a little when I see the Stones, craggy and worn with arthritic hands that have strummed one too many a guitar. They all look so old and instead of making me feel young, I wonder if I look as bad as they do.

My first reaction is “Oh my god!” why do they want to appear in public and shatter the illusion. They don’t sing as well. They don’t move as well, but audiences still throng to see them cause we’re all in the same boat, hoping that time has been our friend.

Sadly, it hasn’t, even for those who have had that bit of help from a surgeon.

It’s not that they need the money. So it must be for the adulation that they once enjoyed and which they miss.

Can’t blame them for feeling that way, but I must admit that, from a purely selfish perspective, it’s better that Elvis and Marilyn and Jimmy Dean died early. I wouldn’t want to see them trying to resuscitate a flagging career. Nor do I want a reminder of the cruelty of Father Time.

The thought of an aging idol doing the rounds of cabarets is very sad and there’s something rather melancholy about performers who should know better.

I remember when Cary Grant decided that he no longer wanted to do romantic roles with much younger actresses. That man had panache.

It’s possible that I’m being too harsh but when I see the Stones prancing around on stage, I wonder how many fans are kidding themselves that nothing has changed.

But if you can fool yourself for a while, I suppose there’s no real harm in that.