I think elders are the carriers of much wisdom, and that part of their "job" is to pass the wisdom forward to future generations. As I've mentioned elsewhere (where, oh where?) in our conversations, I feel that part of the malaise in our society is that we don't have a solid foundation of values, principles and ideals that we staunchly stand on. "Every choice is ok, don't judge, don't say the wrong thing..." has led to young people being frightened to express their opinions, for fear they will be pounced on.

And, playing devils' advocate on the "we are doomed" mindset, both you and I lived through the "fuel crisis" of the 1970s (and imagined toilet paper shortages then and more recently), dire predictions of acid rain destroying our planet, and a number of other things.

Don't get me wrong, I am dismayed at what poor stewards we have been and continue to be of our planet. Yet, we allow giant corporations (BigFarma and BigPharma) to continue to poison the earth and look elsewhere for answers, rather than looking to our elders of long ago for wisdom on how to live in beautifully balanced harmony with the earth.