# Straight Dope 1/20/2023: Have baby boomers wrecked the planet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 20, 2023, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508 "2023-01-20T14:10:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/101 "2023-01-23T21:03:35Z")
Sorry it really isn’t a, “Boomer trait.” My kids and grandkids have to grow up in this too. It’s a asshole human trait, and blaming it on one generation is another asshole human trait. IMHO ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/102 "2023-01-23T23:53:37Z")
I suspect some of the column was meant tongue in cheek. It was taken seriously being a sensitive topic and considering the huge imprecision of generational stereotypes. It is even more imprecise to assign blame to long term trends and complex topics we don’t truly understand all that well. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/103 "2023-01-24T04:04:37Z")
Late to the party on this one, but holy shit Cecil. Maybe it’s time to head back on hiatus if you’re going to spend pixels pushing this toxic bullshit. Sad day in these parts. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/104 "2023-01-24T06:15:25Z")
I’m not Cecil (obviously) and I’m pretty new to this forum. But holy hell this is his circus here. I think some here have been sort of rude to him. Maybe I’m a little uptight (remember boomer here), but I don’t think you should go into someone’s house and start insulting them. Disagreeing respectfully, sure, but practically telling him he’s doddering and losing it seems a bit over the top. YMMV And as was mentioned above I agree that it didn’t seem to me that Cecil was entirely serious about everything said, and the, “global cooling” was not mentioned as a real issue. Now, pardon me I have a planet to wreck. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/105 "2023-01-24T06:49:19Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > I’m not Cecil (obviously) and I’m pretty new to this forum. But holy hell this is his circus here. I think some here have been sort of rude to him. I’ve been here for close to 25 years. Many of the others are of similar vintage. So, respectfully, you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. Very boomer of you I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/106 "2023-01-24T06:58:30Z")
Well, perhaps _boomer_ /s of me, but I thought some of the criticism was harsh and unwarranted. My opinion whether I know what the fuck I’m talking about or not, or whether I have enough seniority. Obviously, YMV. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/107 "2023-01-24T07:38:37Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I’ve been here for close to 25 years. Many of the others are of similar vintage. Hell, I’m pretty sure some of our older members were in Cecil’s platoon back in 'Nam. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/108 "2023-01-24T10:42:30Z")
Doper, I served with Cecil Adams. I knew Cecil Adams. Cecil Adams was a friend of mine. Doper, you’re no Cecil Adams. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/109 "2023-01-24T14:29:28Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > Sorry it really isn’t a, “Boomer trait.” My kids and grandkids have to grow up in this too. It’s a asshole human trait, and blaming it on one generation is another asshole human trait. IMHO And let the congregation say, “Amen”. Let’s, for example, take the out of control world population. In 1980, the world population was 4.442 billion. Now, in 2023, the world population has topped eight billion. Wow, the subsequent generations have really done a great job retaking control of the world population from those prolific Boomers, haven’t they?! … **NOT!** I could go on and on, but the point is that we are ALL equally responsible for what is happening on this planet and, based on the evidence at hand, we have ALL done a pretty shoddy job. Over population, the eroding environment, the ever increasing Geo-political tensions, and the proliferation of hate and violence are everyone’s responsibility. Crying, “woe is me”, and blaming one particular group for all of our problems while playing the wronged victim is a cheap cop-out. We should be embarrassed. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/110 "2023-01-24T16:43:58Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > I think some here have been sort of rude to him To be clear, people read: > [@Cecil Adams](#): > > show some appreciation, you ungrateful pups. > … > I’m always happy to see alarmists get their comeuppance > … > we boomers need take no guff from the younger generation. > … > your boomer columnist is still flailing away at ignorance – so far, he concedes, without much to show for it. and weren’t polite in response? Oh no. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/111 "2023-01-24T17:44:40Z")
Some of the responses went beyond mere impoliteness, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/112 "2023-01-24T17:46:05Z")
What’s beyond “mere impoliteness”–exasperated critique? I think the biggest sin is one of omission. Cecil could have quoted a litany of complaints about how his generation ruined the world, and ended the paragraph, “Okay, Doomer.” ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/113 "2023-01-24T17:50:15Z")
Calling the post/article “toxic bullshit” (and suggesting the author go back to not posting) is a bit more than exasperation. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/114 "2023-01-24T17:51:58Z")
Yes, I agree. “Get out of your own house Boomer!” Bleh ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/115 "2023-01-24T17:52:43Z")
No, that’s exactly exasperation. I have no idea what you think it is. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/116 "2023-01-24T18:02:41Z")
“Take your toxic bullshit and go away” (paraphrasing) would probably draw a warning in GD. Why attack Cecil in the same manner? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/117 "2023-01-24T18:05:20Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > “Take your toxic bullshit and go away” (paraphrasing) would probably draw a warning in GD Because it’s, and I speak carefully here, _impolite_. Or, as @Sylvanz phrased it, “sort of rude.” What you’re missing is that the column itself is “impolite” and “sort of rude.” The items I quoted, especially the first one, would also probably draw a warning in GD. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/118 "2023-01-24T19:32:20Z")
So what are the rules for Cecil’s Columns/Staff Reports? – there appear to be none posted that are specifically for this category; so I suppose it’s the general rules for the board as a whole outside the pit? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/119 "2023-01-24T19:36:24Z")
A high degree of snark has always been Unka Cecil’s style. John 1:11, KJV: **He came unto his own, and his own received him not**. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508/120 "2023-01-24T20:03:45Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > So what are the rules for Cecil’s Columns/Staff Reports? Right here: > [@PLEASE READ: Forum Rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-read-forum-rules/322298): > > If you’re new here (or even if you aren’t), please read the following threads before posting on the SDMB: [FAQ - Rules for Posting at the Straight Dope Message Boards](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=384736) How and when do I report a post? What’s the policy on copyrights? How do I know which forum to post in? Are there any forbidden topics, like sex and drugs? What happens to rules violators? What are the rules about file-sharing software? Must I post in English? What links are permitted? What’s “workplace safe”? Are there an… Which points to here, as far as insults go: > [@FAQ - Rules for Posting at the Straight Dope Message Boards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faq-rules-for-posting-at-the-straight-dope-message-boards/369395/10): > > Generally, you may not directly insult or personally attack other posters. The strictness of this rule varies a bit by forum, but the basic rule is that you should attack what the other person says, not the other person. This rule applies to all insults, including jokes and quotes from books & movies, as others may not get the joke. Using smilies (e.g., “You’re a jerk ;)”) does not make insults okay. The only exception is the forum called The BBQ Pit, where flaming other posters is permitted, a… ~Max [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-1-20-2023-have-baby-boomers-wrecked-the-planet/978508.md?page=7)