In a thread named "Ignorant Old People" we have been told that "ignorant" is colloquial for "rude". In the same logic, "stupid" seems to mean "ignorant" here. I think we are mainly talking about lack of education, learning, and appreciation of arts etc.

Most young people are actually very keen to learn what their future world is likely to be about. However, "education" is usually defined to be what those in power want the young ones to learn, including manners that do not question the power structure. So youngsters have two points of criticism about the system: a) it may prevent them from gaining a higher social status than their parents ("The Wall"), and b) since the times are a-changing, it may even let them fall off the ladder.

Times change rapidly now, and the sense of social stability is crumbling everywhere. Student protests tend to be somewhat inarticulate, but I clearly hear "Give us an eduction that is worth our time, sweat, and money!" It is up to the whole society, notably the mass media, to discuss what this may be and to convince our youth of it.

Leave Charlie Parker and Luther Whatshisname to those who really care for them. (Nothing wrong with good potatos though.)

Grishka (who has lived in many countries and witnessed similar phenomena; Down Under in the 1980s)