You are correct. I am a boomer, and I got participation trophies in the '60s and '70s. My kids, who are kids today, do not. One thing that we think we've lea

You are correct. I am a boomer, and I got participation trophies in the '60s and '70s. My kids, who are kids today, do not. One thing that we think we've learned in the last 50 years: praise works better than threats as a motivator. Perhaps that is what these complaining old gruffs are seeing. Academia is about the only place left where you can still give criticism that makes people cry and keep your job.