It seems like intergenerational warfare is everywhere right now. Aside from the fact it’s the burden of every generation to feel misunderstood by those older than them, and to condescend to those younger, the current tension between baby boomers, gen X, millennials and gen Z does seem to run deeper.

Those of us in the latter two categories blame everyone older than us for the dire state of the world today (a viewpoint that sometimes ignores the fact that the world has been getting worse since the big bang). And let’s face it, it’s impossible to not be bewildered and feel attacked by people younger than you when they automatically dismiss your life experiences, start speaking seemingly in code (I still don’t know what “six-seven” means) and laugh at your idea of fashion.

But all of this antagonism may result in a major loss of opportunity, because there is truly nothing as rewarding as a good intergenerational friendship. I have the benefit of having a number of friends who are both much younger than me, and somewhat older than me, and the exchanges we have of ideas,........

© The Guardian