Is Gen X the last great reefing generation

[cdemoss01]

Man, what has happened tho this hobby. Reading the last few weeks and just a bunch of knee jerk type reactions with no common sense reefing solutions or personally responsibility.

Just gimmie the solution to my problem and it better be right, type of mindset. Or the long winded “pc” responses, that offer zero help but lots of I’m sorry’s, cos too scared to hurt someone’s feelings.

Guess it’s just society in general theses days!

But are we GenX’rs really the last??

Its pretty sad. Although I'm 14 and carrying the legacy I also have gotten multiple youngins into the hobby! (4-14 year olds)

 

[Mschmidt]

after reading (most of) the first page I should let you all know:

We millennials met (virtually of course) and have decided to kill the hobby. Of course it will come after we finish off the diamond industry, fossil fuels, the housing industry, and whatever else we happen to be taking out. There are just so many, I can't be bothered to remember them all.

But really, it's just us snowflakes with our inability to cope with student debt that we were irresponsible in getting while, in our entitlement, working for less than a living wage so the shareholders get there extra basis point.

In sum, I'm sorry I have questions. I'm sorry I don't want to trial and error with the life of an animal when I can get a simple answer or direction. I'm sorry that getting older is scary, times are changing, and access to information is different than when you all were coming up.

 

[Reefing102]

TLDR the whole thread…

I’m a millennial. So take my opinion for what’s it worth. You are absolutely correct we just want answers when we ask questions. For me though, I am less concerned with the structure behind it. I just want to know if it works and what’s the procedure to make it work.

For example…PAR…if I’m asking what par the coral needs, just give me an accurate range. I could care less about well par is just one measurement of light when we should actually look at pur and pur is the….of light…measured in micro moles or whatever. Just say hey, I keep it between 150-200. If I wanted the science lesson, I’d go back to school.

Water chemistry though is a bit different. While we all want just the numbers, understanding how certain elements interact (how alk, ca, and mg interact for example) is a necessary knowledge. I don’t need the full science just that changing one level can affect the others in this way or that way.

But realistically, yes we just want answers. Now if I decide to learn more about it, such as wanting to learn the microscopic identification of dinos, that’s on me to look into more.

If I don’t, the knowledge base will shrink, I’ll admit that, but ultimately that’s up to the person to research more. Idk. At this point I’m just rambling.

 

[OrchidMiss]

Regardless of my age, my nurse brain demands peer-reviewed or evidence based practices which are supported by scientific data.
With that being said, I think anecdotal advice is important - from successful, seasoned reefers.
People like @Reefer Matt who offer both, @ISpeakForTheSeas who backs up each post with resources and references.
I have tried to adopt this type of thinking and sharing advice or information equally if possible. If I'm not knowledgeable about a specific topic, I will happily ask around and point a new reefer in the most informed direction.

 

[Reefer Matt]

TLDR the whole thread…

I’m a millennial. So take my opinion for what’s it worth. You are absolutely correct we just want answers when we ask questions. For me though, I am less concerned with the structure behind it. I just want to know if it works and what’s the procedure to make it work.

For example…PAR…if I’m asking what par the coral needs, just give me an accurate range. I could care less about well par is just one measurement of light when we should actually look at pur and pur is the….of light…measured in micro moles or whatever. Just say hey, I keep it between 150-200. If I wanted the science lesson, I’d go back to school.

Water chemistry though is a bit different. While we all want just the numbers, understanding how certain elements interact (how alk, ca, and mg interact for example) is a necessary knowledge. I don’t need the full science just that changing one level can affect the others in this way or that way.

But realistically, yes we just want answers. Now if I decide to learn more about it, such as wanting to learn the microscopic identification of dinos, that’s on me to look into more.

If I don’t, the knowledge base will shrink, I’ll admit that, but ultimately that’s up to the person to research more. Idk. At this point I’m just rambling.

That’s fair. The “problem” I see is that there aren’t too many things in reefing that are absolute. Coral and fish are very adaptable, within reason. You can ask for all the numbers you want, but you will get conflicting answers if you wait long enough. Really all you can do is try something and see if it works. On the flip side, it’s also tough to diagnose a situation with just text and a picture sometimes, and someone may misinterpret the question that is asked. But what I usually do is take an average of the advice given.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Assigning attributes to generations reminds me of horoscopes and people's "signs." Just make broad generalizations that could apply to most people. Positive for your generation of course and negative for the others.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Regardless of my age, my nurse brain demands peer-reviewed or evidence based practices which are supported by scientific data.
With that being said, I think anecdotal advice is important - from successful, seasoned reefers.
People like @Reefer Matt who offer both, @ISpeakForTheSeas who backs up each post with resources and references.
I have tried to adopt this type of thinking and sharing advice or information equally if possible. If I'm not knowledgeable about a specific topic, I will happily ask around and point a new reefer in the most informed direction.

I just offer what works for me if someone has a similar situation I’ve run across. I’ve also learned how to word my responses to indicate that my advice may not work for them. I don’t know it all, and never will. But I don’t have to. Thankfully we are lucky to have many awesome knowledgable folks here to help. And I definitely don’t belong in the same sentence as @ISpeakForTheSeas. Maybe someday I’ll know half as much! Lol. Thanks though!

 

[BrokenReefer]

What in the name of all that is good and great is Gen Alpha? And who gets to decide what the generation "gap" is?

 

[braaap]

This dude again? Florida fish and wildlife tell you to kick rocks?

I’m not Gen X. Younger than that. Likely have more experience and for sure have more knowledge about reefing than you do. But ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Mschmidt]

What in the name of all that is good and great is Gen Alpha? And who gets to decide what the generation "gap" is?

Not sure to the first, but to the second...
There is usually a wider shift in values, mindsets, and behaviors that happen over a few years or less. This shift happens largely across the greater culture and can be identified by particular events or advancements.
I haven't yet read this all, but the graphic at the top lays out well the differences.

The Changing Generational Values

Examining Workplace Values from Baby Boomers to Generation Z Today’s workforce consists of 4 generations: (ordered from oldest to youngest) Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z…

imagine.jhu.edu

 

[Reefer Matt]

What in the name of all that is good and great is Gen Alpha? And who gets to decide what the generation "gap" is?

Gen Alpha are those who are born from 2010 to today.

 

[Wasabiroot]

Gen X is only the second generation in modern reefkeeping (keeping coral alive). Reefing as we know it is still very much in its infancy. Imagine what future generations will do with it.

Wow, a positive post about the future! *sends digital hi five*

 

[Reefering1]

This dude again? Florida fish and wildlife tell you to kick rocks?

I’m not Gen X. Younger than that. Likely have more experience and for sure have more knowledge about reefing than you do. But ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Ohh that's this guy... hmm better not post pics of my gopher tortoise and burrowing owls...

 

[thedon986]

I wonder if he ever apologized to the guy he flamed in all those posts and reported before the guy even had a chance to post his email correspondence with FWC. Guessing not.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Actually, I believe that was the late boomers like me

First computer (Apple 2 of course) in 1979 and I was well into internet newsgroups by 1985 using UUCP, and WWW when the Mosaic web browser was released in 93. I think I got my first web page up then too

Yep. I worked with the Apple IIe in 79. By 84 I had an Atari 520 ST (Upgraded to a SCREAMING 1MB of RAM!). We called them Billboards. And we used a 300 baud modem. That ATARI was top of the line in graphics back then!

 

[BrokenReefer]

Gen Alpha are those who are born from 2010 to today.

Wow, I have been living under a rock!!

 

[KrisReef]

What in the name of all that is good and great is Gen Alpha? And who gets to decide what the generation "gap" is?

Here's the white paper, I mean white background unless you are viewing in dark mode?

Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z, and Gen A explained

What separates Generation X from Y. How about Gen Z and Gen A? Who are the Millennials? They’re in vastly different phases of their financial life.

offer.kasasa.com

Bottom line is that it's all made up, some of it follows statistics and the impacts of technology gets tossed in.

All started with "The Boomers" who were the offspring of "The Greatest Generation" and those were followed by successive waves of reproductive peaks caused perhaps by the synchronized monthly flows of American Women who were influenced by the invention of TV, and later the computer and now the iPhone and Ring Doorbells? Gen A is now kids under 10, or something like that.

Its as artificial as Instant Ocean but without the trace elements to justify the naming and labeling.

I also just heard that the Reef hobby ends after the bountiful lady howls out a number that goes viral on some platform.

 

[VintageReefer]

Looks like you're ready to start running with the big boys and try your hand at sps. Winky faced emoji

Been there. Done that.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I find this post offensive.
I’m going to make a Tik Tok where I’m crying to show the world how upset I am

Dude.....Don't get me started.......

 

[saltytanked]

TikTok is pure brain rot.

I have never seen a platform more efficient at disseminating misinformation, propaganda and all around twaddle and poppycock!

May I ask what twaddle amd poppycock are???