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"We are now trapped in a world of kids. Old kids. The disappearance of patrimonial transmission means that an old guy today is just a useless ruin. The thing we

by dilap 6y ago

"We are now trapped in a world of kids. Old kids. The disappearance of patrimonial transmission means that an old guy today is just a useless ruin. The thing we value most of all is youth, which means that life automatically becomes depressing, because life consists, on the whole, of getting old." --Houellebecq

renjimen 6y ago
What about the other half of the population? It's an interesting quote but it doesn't explain why women also experience midlife crises. Could it simply be that a focus on career and modern nuclear families provide less satisfaction for the middle aged? That might explain the diminished patriarchal/matriarchal aspects for men and women.
- konjin 6y ago
  Having listened to a few women going through theirs: kids. Either not having them, the kids not meeting their mothers expectations or the kids never wanting to see their mothers again once they grow up.
  - renjimen 6y ago
    What do we have to blame for that, do you think? Encouraging independence? Expectation inflation from social media?
    - Bakary 6y ago
      The general mindset of having kids as a project or to resolve some emotional turmoil. Unlike a dog, the child usually behaves in unanticipated ways...