The Prophet

The old man was scared, because he doesn't understand you or any other of today's youth. Probably all he knows is what he watches on TV. And you should be able to appreciate his feelings a lot more than you do because you are in the exact same situation - You don't understand him any better than he understands you.

And being a prick would only serve to fuel his fears. It doesn't help either one of you understand each other any better. You did well to be polite, but let me ask - If you saw him outside in broad daylight, for example when he was workingaround the yard and you were walking your dog, would you say hello? Would you strike up conversation with him?

The world is changing fast and the older you get the harder it is to understand those changes. Think of the world that old guy grew up in, the one he understands. Now, look at the unbelievably stupid shit to each other these days. If he is isolated, with only the TV as a reflection of the world outside his door, how the hell can he possibly understand the real world outside his door or in his alley out back? Realize also, if no one teaches him it is not as different as it seems, how will he, or any other old fuck ever realize - every kid is not a gangsta, every kid with rings in his lips and tattoo's all over is not out to hurt them. If all he knows is what he sees on TV, how the hell can we expect him to feel anything other than fear?

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"The death-knell of the republic had rung as soon as the active power became lodged in the hands of those who sought, not to do justice to all citizens, rich and poor alike, but to stand for one special class and for its interests as opposed to the interests of others. " - Theodore Roosevelt