The Can't Do Generation

[mikeb]

I think it's a combination of several things.

The first one has already been mentioned - stuff (especially electronics) is manufactured such a way that when it dies it cannot be fixed. There are no parts available and sometimes the damned thing is sealed shut. This encourages the toss it and buy another one mentality.

The second thing came about because of the first thing - you've got people that don't have the knowledge or desire to fix things. Most of us old timers were raised in an era where men generally knew how to change sparks plugs and points and fiddle with a carburetor but that knowledge is no longer required. The result is that a lot of people neglect and drive cars until they quit on the side of the road before having them fixed.

The third thing that I think is going on is that people simply don't want to get their hands dirty doing manual labor anymore. The dream today is to have a college degree and a white collar job.

The last thing that's going on is the loss of votech in high schools. My high school had a metal shop, a woodworking shop, and an auto shop. I seriously doubt those shops are active these days, most likely due to liability - those spaces are probably being used for storage rooms now. So kids aren't exposed to these things anymore and don't learn them.

So it's not all old man grinching. Our country has turned it's back on the old ideas of thrift and taking care of what you have in favor of consumerism.

[talisman]

A lot of it is also things being infinitely more complicated now than they were "back then." You used to be able to fix a car on the side of the road with a couple hand tools, now everything is computerized with 100 sensors. Instead of only having about 4 things to check on an old car if it died on you, now you've got this mess of electronic shit under the hood that even the dealerships can't seem to fix sometimes.

[Ruffdaddy]

I would add to many of the already good points that going back through generations, the level of fix it is relative. In the AC example, the older generation only wanted to replace the compressor because that was what was broken and required to fix the ac. But what about fixing the components in the compressor that are broken? It can get deeper and deeper until you are re welding housings or soldering individual components. No one can store that much knowledge.

I also think it's odd that woodworking isn't more common through all generations. I built a lot of my furniture and saved massively compared to purchasing retail...even factoring in the price of tools. But again this isn't generational, people only have so many things they can focus on I guess.

[Sgt Beavis]

I think it's a combination of several things.

The first one has already been mentioned - stuff (especially electronics) is manufactured such a way that when it dies it cannot be fixed. There are no parts available and sometimes the damned thing is sealed shut. This encourages the toss it and buy another one mentality.

The second thing came about because of the first thing - you've got people that don't have the knowledge or desire to fix things. Most of us old timers were raised in an era where men generally knew how to change sparks plugs and points and fiddle with a carburetor but that knowledge is no longer required. The result is that a lot of people neglect and drive cars until they quit on the side of the road before having them fixed.

The third thing that I think is going on is that people simply don't want to get their hands dirty doing manual labor anymore. The dream today is to have a college degree and a white collar job.

The last thing that's going on is the loss of votech in high schools. My high school had a metal shop, a woodworking shop, and an auto shop. I seriously doubt those shops are active these days, most likely due to liability - those spaces are probably being used for storage rooms now. So kids aren't exposed to these things anymore and don't learn them.

So it's not all old man grinching. Our country has turned it's back on the old ideas of thrift and taking care of what you have in favor of consumerism.

I agree with everything you said but I'll add one...

Parents aren't teaching their kids. If the younger generation is less capable than they previous one, who is really to blame? Is it technology that makes things easier or is it parents that didn't make it a priority to pass along a skill.

Take manual transmissions as an example. Find me a Gen Y or Millennial that knows how to use one. Heck, there aren't even a ton of Gen X'ers that knows how to use one. I have met kids that were literally amazed I know how to drive a 3 on the tree. How many parents don't get off their lazy asses and teach their kid something? I know there are other factors at play here but the main point is that parents aren't teaching their kids. They rely on an education systems that barely teaches their kids the minimum. So that professor should perhaps consider looking in the mirror.

[Baron Von Crowder]

I would add to many of the already good points that going back through generations, the level of fix it is relative. In the AC example, the older generation only wanted to replace the compressor because that was what was broken and required to fix the ac. But what about fixing the components in the compressor that are broken? It can get deeper and deeper until you are re welding housings or soldering individual components. No one can store that much knowledge.

I also think it's odd that woodworking isn't more common through all generations. I built a lot of my furniture and saved massively compared to purchasing retail...even factoring in the price of tools. But again this isn't generational, people only have so many things they can focus on I guess.

Woodworking is something that people either like or don't. My dad was in love with it, and had a pretty nicely equipped shop set up. I didn't get the same satisfaction that he did, though he never understood why I liked mechanics and metal fab either. To each their own I suppose.

[Ruffdaddy]

Woodworking is something that people either like or don't. My dad was in love with it, and had a pretty nicely equipped shop set up. I didn't get the same satisfaction that he did, though he never understood why I liked mechanics and metal fab either. To each their own I suppose.

I'll buy that. I was thinking from a purely money saving standpoint, but on the flip side I can see people hating the dust, smells and effort as well as space required.

[bcoop]

I'd love to get in to woodworking, but have a lack of time and someone to learn from. It's always something when I get home. Motorcycle maintenance, work on the house, yard, cook dinner (old lady can't cook), etc.

[Ruffdaddy]

I'd love to get in to woodworking, but have a lack of time and someone to learn from. It's always something when I get home. Motorcycle maintenance, work on the house, yard, cook dinner (old lady can't cook), etc.

Time is the hardest part there. I learned everything from the internet...lots of good resources so that can be had for free. But you can never learn how to put 2 extra hours in a day.

[racrguy]

I agree with everything you said but I'll add one...

Parents aren't teaching their kids. If the younger generation is less capable than they previous one, who is really to blame? Is it technology that makes things easier or is it parents that didn't make it a priority to pass along a skill.

Take manual transmissions as an example. Find me a Gen Y or Millennial that knows how to use one. Heck, there aren't even a ton of Gen X'ers that knows how to use one. I have met kids that were literally amazed I know how to drive a 3 on the tree. How many parents don't get off their lazy asses and teach their kid something? I know there are other factors at play here but the main point is that parents aren't teaching their kids. They rely on an education systems that barely teaches their kids the minimum. So that professor should perhaps consider looking in the mirror.

I can drive most anything with wheels, but I don't know how to drive something with the manual shift on the tree, simply because I've never had to or had the opportunity. Can't be that hard!

[Baron Von Crowder]

I can drive most anything with wheels, but I don't know how to drive something with the manual shift on the tree, simply because I've never had to or had the opportunity. Can't be that hard!

It aint. Rowing a worn out muncie is harder.

[Chili]

I can drive most anything with wheels, but I don't know how to drive something with the manual shift on the tree, simply because I've never had to or had the opportunity. Can't be that hard!

My first car had a 3 speed column shifter ('70 Nova with inline 6). It's no different than any manual transmission except for the shift pattern and shifter location.

I only drove one other ('58 Chevy PU with inline 6) and the shift pattern was the same: Reverse is up and towards the driver, 1st is down and toward the driver, 2nd is up and away from the driver, 3rd is down and away from the driver.

Here's a good visual:

[talisman]

Take manual transmissions as an example. Find me a Gen Y or Millennial that knows how to use one. Heck, there aren't even a ton of Gen X'ers that knows how to use one. I have met kids that were literally amazed I know how to drive a 3 on the tree.

To be fair on this, it's almost impossible to even get a car with a manual transmission these days. In another 10 years they might not even be around any more, which is a shame. I do enjoy rowing through the gears.

[Chili]

To be fair on this, it's almost impossible to even get a car with a manual transmission these days. In another 10 years they might not even be around any more, which is a shame. I do enjoy rowing through the gears.

Yeah.. My son (18) doesn't know how to drive a standard just because we, nor his mother had one to teach him on and his first car is his mothers old car, which is an auto. Lea's son had to learn after we bought him the first Mustang.

The last manual I owned was my 04 Mustang, but up until that point that is all I had ever owned.

[JC316]

A lot of it is also things being infinitely more complicated now than they were "back then." You used to be able to fix a car on the side of the road with a couple hand tools, now everything is computerized with 100 sensors. Instead of only having about 4 things to check on an old car if it died on you, now you've got this mess of electronic shit under the hood that even the dealerships can't seem to fix sometimes.

The old shit can be slightly more complicated. Watch roadkill on youtube and see what those guys have to do on the side of the road. It's all about what you know.

I can handle the sensors and the majority of them can go bad and have the car still run. The only sensors that can die and kill a car is the ignition control module and crankshaft position sensor.

I agree with everything you said but I'll add one...

Parents aren't teaching their kids. If the younger generation is less capable than they previous one, who is really to blame? Is it technology that makes things easier or is it parents that didn't make it a priority to pass along a skill.

Take manual transmissions as an example. Find me a Gen Y or Millennial that knows how to use one. Heck, there aren't even a ton of Gen X'ers that knows how to use one. I have met kids that were literally amazed I know how to drive a 3 on the tree. How many parents don't get off their lazy asses and teach their kid something?

My 16 year old cousin can drive a stick, but his dad is a major gear head, so no big shock there. I just recently learned 3 on the tree with a 63.5 galaxie.

I come from a family of DIY people, we never had the money to hire people, or to replace something, so everyone learned. Thats how I got into mechanics in the first place.

I can drive most anything with wheels, but I don't know how to drive something with the manual shift on the tree, simply because I've never had to or had the opportunity. Can't be that hard!

I was like that too, but it's simple. It's practically a standard H that's mounted on the column.

Yeah.. My son (18) doesn't know how to drive a standard just because we, nor his mother had one to teach him on and his first car is his mothers old car, which is an auto. Lea's son had to learn after we bought him the first Mustang.

The last manual I owned was my 04 Mustang, but up until that point that is all I had ever owned.

I didn't learn to drive a stick shift till I was in my 20's, but now I hate automatics.

[46Tbird]

It's only been about 40 years since a car or truck was built with a manual column shift. No surprise that a lot of people have never seen one, much less had the chance to drive one.

Now driving a Model T takes some real skill... lol.