Fifty-Plus Club for SteamGeezers

[Banfili]

Sounds pretty much what I did, too. Free-range kids!

[starjump]

But the six million dollar question is: do kids stare at screens all day now partly because we, as parents, are too nervous to let them run free like we did? Is it actually more dangerous out there?

[Captain Shipton Bellinger]

Away from roads I doubt if the world is any more unsafe than it was in my own childhood. I have a suspicion that the media nowadays are rather more sensational, meaning that the perceived threat level is higher.

By-the-bye, this is my first posting in this thread. Although I amply qualify, I do not want to give the impression that I am applying for membership. To quote Groucho Marx: "I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members." 

[Sir Henry]

By-the-bye, this is my first posting in this thread. Although I amply qualify, I do not want to give the impression that I am applying for membership. To quote Groucho Marx: "I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members." 

You'll be wanting the Idiosynchratorium, then. If you just follow Igor, he will show you the way. Hopefully there's still some room in there.

Welcome.

[Doc Rivets]

( I've always wondered just what digestive biscuits are!)

Usually indigestible

Doc

they put corks in whiskey bottles like you aren't meant to get at the contents. Silly.

[Doc Rivets]

But the six million dollar question is: do kids stare at screens all day now partly because we, as parents, are too nervous to let them run free like we did? Is it actually more dangerous out there?

No.
its no more dangerous than it ever was.
But instead we raise a generation of kids that are closeted away from our imaginary fears... what sort of people are we making?

Doc

remember : your "informed" opinion might just be what you were TOLD, and not what you KNOW.

[Lady Toadflinger]

I am happy to say that my two daughters came along at a time when computers were too new and too much of a luxury for us to have. We also lived in a rural area that was safe enough for them to roam and had lots of things to do on our own acreage, like running with the pygmy goats, training the Dalmatians, raising many 4-H project animals, doing chores........... When it was time for cell phones, we didn't have the money, so they had to wait until they could but them on their own. (I still don't have one!)

[Demetrius Rust]

As a latecomer to the forum, and on the verge of turning 51, I would like to submit my application to the Steamgeezers club. Thanks in advance for your kind consideration!

[Sir Henry]

Welcome Mr Rust. I'll have one of the monkey butlers bring you a chair - any preferences? And the same with some light refreshments and heavy drinks. I'll have him set them up by the fireplace in the Recruitment Room and you can warm your feet while we go through all the paperwork. Not that there's much, just the usual liability waivers, insurance exclusions and the rather useful form we call 'Just Because We Have a Basement Full of Laboratories Does Not Mean We Are Responsible for Any of the Abominations Created Therein' or 'The Blinkers Form' for short.

So make yourself comfortable, have a drink and an amuse-bouche and join in the fun.

Due to the nature of the activities here, a pith helmet is advised, if not compulsory.

[Banfili]

it is advisable to have your pith helmet reinforced - steel is good!

[Lady Toadflinger]

A spike on the top of the pith helmet is even better!

[Banfili]

True enough - belt & braces engineering!

[Demetrius Rust]

Right! Steel reinforced pith helmet in place with a nice pair of leather and brass goggles in case things get hairy!

[Banfili]

I'm all in favour of over-engineering!

[Demetrius Rust]

Better to 'ave it and not need it than need it and not 'ave it! That's my policy, mate!

[Sir Henry]

Better to 'ave it and not need it than need it and not 'ave it! That's my policy, mate!

Which is why I've moved my favourite armchair and the club's supply of port into the broom cupboard.

[Demetrius Rust]

Yer port is quite safe, Sir Henry! I'm here for the absinthe!

[MWBailey]

I am happy to say that my two daughters came along at a time when computers were too new and too much of a luxury for us to have. We also lived in a rural area that was safe enough for them to roam and had lots of things to do on our own acreage, like running with the pygmy goats, training the Dalmatians, raising many 4-H project animals, doing chores........... When it was time for cell phones, we didn't have the money, so they had to wait until they could but them on their own. (I still don't have one!)

Ah, yes... the old Electrical Ball and Chain...

[Demetrius Rust]

Not so sure about the ball and chain-mine is more like a short leash...with a choke collar!

[groomporter]

At Teslacon in Madison, Wisconsin this past weekend I seemed to notice a larger proportion of 40+ people than at standard sci/fi conventions I've attended, and relatively few that looked like they weren't at least college aged.

[Demetrius Rust]

At Teslacon in Madison, Wisconsin this past weekend I seemed to notice a larger proportion of 40+ people than at standard sci/fi conventions I've attended, and relatively few that looked like they weren't at least college aged.

Kind of nice to see a sub-genre of sci-fi that appeals to a (ahem) more mature crowd...

[Plutus Sar]

I suppose I should report for duty, or lack of duty, I get enough doodie in my everyday life....

Age 51, will turn 52 with luck come June next!  Married, two grown kids, needing a place to kick back and have a stiff drink at the end of the day.

Say, would there be any sake on the sideboard?

[Banfili]

If you want it, it's there - sit back & allow Igor to serve you!!

[Dave_G]

I'll have a glass of fish and chips ! 

[Hez]

Hello all, I just qualified as a SteamGeezer about a month ago so I thought I would pop in and admit register. 
Apparently age does not always bring wisdom, I spent the afternoon keeping up with my brother's 10 and 13 year old kids in the wave pool and waterslides and I expect to be even sorer tomorrow than I am today.



As I was typing an old Mission Impossible episode was on TV, and a young Leneard Nemoy picked up a walkie talky and said "Yes, Jim."  and I had a flashback.