Sheesh Grampa, calm your tits. Not everyone has to relive WWII to feel validated. Participation? What are you trying to do, give him a new experience in life!? Isn’t the dread of existence already enough?
While valid, I think the joke is supposed to be millineals and Gen z when they’re old. Boomers a while back got up in arms about participation trophies, complaining were roo soft needing trophies for just participating, when they actually had to win. This comic is using the perpetuation of abuse model as a basis that when we get old, we might do the same thing adjusted to our lifetime, hence bragging that we participated.
And the irony is, it’s actually really important to be valued for your existence - just for being who you are regardless of your success or participation.
Indeed, one might say baby photos are a kind of existence trophy, as are birthday cards.
I suspect birthday celebrations are a thing because until relatively recently making it past childhood was genuinely an achievement.
I do my best to keep up with things, but I’m nearing 50 and I’m sure I won’t be able to until I die if I live long enough. I sometimes wonder what kids will say about people my age not understanding and vice-versa when I’m that old.
After the Thrill is Gone
The Eagles intensifies
Jack and Diane would like a word with you…
Yep, you’re right.
I know that song when I hear it, but never really listened to JCM enough for it to be the first one that pops into my head when I hear that phrase.
My daddy raised me on Eagles.
I was gonna be a football star, but it didn’t happen. No trophy for me.