Generation ‘Me’
Re “The New Greatest Generation” [May 20]: While the millennials may be moving ahead on their own, they’re leaving a lot of their peers behind. Not all of them end up becoming microcelebs or YouTube directors. Most become buyers, who just stay in the stands as spectators. Instagram, with just 13 employees, was a millennial company that was sold to Facebook for $1 billion. Only a handful of people profited from the sale. How will the spectators sustain themselves? If nothing is done about the narcissism of millennials, they’ll implode. They should keep in mind that technology must lead to empowerment of the individual [EM] and that includes remuneration. Jesse Oguntimehin,
Lagos, Nigeria
Our world is money-mad. Many in developed nations are relentlessly chasing wealth, sometimes through unscrupulous means. We live in a time when money reigns supreme. Most youths have become vainglorious, thinking they must have everything they want. I would fault our education system for not adequately preparing them to lead prudent and morally rich lives instead of pursuing material satisfaction. Zi-zenn Chaan,
Eastwood, Australia
As a millennial, wired and generally active on the Web, I concur with nearly everything Joel Stein said about my generation. But is millennial narcissism truly about having high self-esteem, or are the circumstances of this generation indicative of having little or even none of it? Constantly wanting approval and endlessly missing out on “better” places or people to be with seems a prevalent state of mind. I wonder if most of us just feel alone. Crizette S. Manalaysay,
Quezon City, The Philippines
Tragedy in Bangladesh
Re “Worked to Death” [May 20]: The photo of the couple, embracing in death, really brings home the tragedy of the factory collapse. The only quibble I have is that the story describes it as the “deadliest accident.” This was not an accident. It was caused by greed and criminal negligence. Mick Furey,
Rotherham, England
After retirement, I opened a garment factory in 1993. Visiting it was a pleasure and a pain. Pleasure, because I could employ over 2,000 workers, and pain, because I couldn’t pay them enough. Clients would bargain even for a cent. In 1997, the factory was burned to ashes in a fire that killed five workers. I then decided not to return to the garment business. I agree with the suggestion of a surcharge per item dedicated to improving working conditions of employees. But will clients agree to slash their profits? Fazal-ur-Rahman,
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Gandhi, Again?
Re “India Doesn’t Need Another Gandhi” [May 20]: This is the most critical period in the history of India. Zoher Abdoolcarim’s Essay is a timely warning for Indians to get rid of these fake Gandhis, who have neither insight of the problems facing over a billion people nor the capability to tackle them. Shriharsha Sharma,
Nottingham, England
I agree with Abdoolcarim that Rahul Gandhi does not [EM] at least not yet [EM] have the qualities required to be India’s next Prime Minister. He could earn his spurs by serving as opposition leader after the next general election, or as a Cabinet minister, if a Congress-led alliance is voted in. I am hopeful that at least two leaders will emerge by the end of this year so that the electorate could install a strong government in New Delhi come 2014. Veera Ramaswamy,
Coonoor, India
Development in India
Re “India’s States of Excellence” [May 20]: The article aptly focused on the nonuniform nature of development in India. However, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is unjustly described as a social butterfly in his previous incarnation. He has written a few scholarly books on Indian medicinal herbs, as well as the social and architectural history of India, before coming into politics. Sankalpa Basu,
Newcastle, England
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