We’re told it’s the constant refrain from the older generation. Everybody grows up and thinks the younger generation is different — lazier, stupider, etc. — and then some wise guy comes along and says, “there are Egyptian papyri with the same complaint. Get over it!”
There are clearly differences between generations. Just watch an old movie and listen to the weird ways they explain things.
Life is different over time in strange ways, and especially in the modern world. The world my granddaughter is growing up in is very different from the world my grandfather grew up in.
But here’s a scary thought. What if some of the differences are chemically induced — from the water, or the air, or pesticides, or … from Tylenol!
“Acetaminophen seems to make people feel less negative emotion when they consider risky activities – they just don’t feel as scared,” says neuroscientist Baldwin Way from The Ohio State University.
“With nearly 25 percent of the population in the US taking acetaminophen each week, reduced risk perceptions and increased risk-taking could have important effects on society.”
Mark Shea used to caricature societal changes as coming in two phases: (1) what could possibly go wrong? (2) who knew?
Your larger point is worth considering and certainly people have raised the issue of the effects anti-depressants and ADHD medications, which increasing numbers of kids and young adults are on.
But Tylenol itself, probably not. That 25% is almost certainly largely concentrated in middle aged and older people who have more aches and pains. While younger people certainly take it for various things I doubt it’s widespread enough in that population to account for a general generational behavioral effect.
Also, 25% “each week” needs a lot more teasing out. Someone who takes it once a week on average is probably not feeling a general behavioral effect. What’s the curve on people who take it once a week, vs. people who take it more or less constantly (which is a terrible idea for other reasons) vs. people who take it a couple times a week? Or people who take it three times every day for a month while waiting for a dental appointment, and then not for another six months until they get a headache? Those people are going to answer that they take it “weekly” because that’s what it averages out to and/or that’s what they were doing when queried. Is their overall behavior affected 3 months after their teeth are fixed?
This seems like a case of taking a very limited finding (ACP is associated with mental changes that are are associated with increased risk taking behavior in laboratory conditions), lining it up with a number, and leaping toward a very speculative idea. I know you’re just saying it’s an interesting idea, though.
Good points. I’m not trying to make the case that Tylenol is ruining the next generation. 🙂 I just find it surprising the sort of unexpected things that could have an impact on people.
Also, despite the fact that any number of things might have some surprising influence, we can’t live in fear of that. Life goes on.
Good points, all.
Probably a major turning point was the 60s when those pre-sweetened cereals (Sugar Crisp, Captain Crunch, Trix etc.) were being sold like crazy on commercials during Saturday mornings when the kids were watching Rocky & Bullwinkle and the like. Growing up with such massive sugar consumption and addiction cannot be a good thing.