Youth burning through precious brain power

My boss told this quote, making me check it out - Who said "youth is wasted on the young"? What does that mean?

Steve Denton, I love learning, thinking and writing. Updated 10 May 2014
 

I turned 50 last year, although I am blessed (according to friends and
acquaintances, and my own observations of other people my age) with
unusually spritely, Peter Pan-like youthfulness - both psychologically
and physically - for my age. I certainly don't feel like 50, and most
days I don't look like it, either. With sufficient sleep and daily use
of a good moisturizer to smooth the wrinkles - sorry, 'laughter lines'
- around my eyes, I can pass for someone of 40 (well, on a good
day...). But I think that I still have the philosophical perspective
of a 50  year old (something for which I am frequently grateful), and
I believe there is much truth in this maxim - 'Youth is wasted on the
young' - for the following reasons:

For entirely understandable and forgivable reasons, young people
usually fail to realize just how lucky they are to be young, with all
their physical, sexual and intellectual energy, their optimism, lack
of cynicism and jadedness, and the many decades of life they have
stretching out before them in which they can achieve their dreams (if
they actually decide on their goals and then apply themselves to
achieving them - which many, sadly, do not).

When you are young (late-teens to early twenties, say), your old age
seems impossibly far away. You are not yet aware of the way in which
the lengths of the years shrink, relative to your entire lifespan, as
you age. In terms of the psychological perception of the passage of
time, the years pass more rapidly as you get older; the seasons become
closer together; the birthdays, anniversaries  and Christmases more
frequent. Time literally seems to accelerate, and you become aware of
the rapidly dwindling timeframe you have in which to achieve your life
goals.

But young people simply do not have this perception of temporal
nonlinearity, and so they live their lives as if they were immortal,
as if there will always be time to do the things they want or need to
do, because time is on their side. The philosophy of the young is
'mañana, mañana!': put off till tomorrow the difficult or unpleasant
tasks, the responsibilities and duties; and there will always be more
opportunities to have new experiences, acquire new skills or embark on
new adventures.

"Go traveling in Europe? Learn the guitar? Visit relatives in New
Zealand? See that band play? Dive on the Great Barrier Reef? Trek the
Grand Canyon? Sure, that sounds like fun, but I can always do those
things next year, or when I graduate, or get my first job," they think
to themselves. "Today, I can just coast along, and maybe do exactly
the same thing I did yesterday, or last week, or last month, because
that's so much easier than thinking of something new to do, isn't it?
Why not just drift wherever the tide takes my boat, amuse myself with
simple things and pass the time in trivial ways, or just distract
myself with easily attainable, transitory pleasures. If it takes too
much effort or planning, or involves deferred gratification rather
than immediate reward then, nah, that's not for me - not yet, maybe
when I'm older.."

This is the philosophy of the impulsive, hedonistic procrastinator, of
course (impulsiveness and procrastination are not necessarily mutually
exclusive - it depends on what one chooses to be impulsive or
procrastinating about, and people tend to be impulsive about easy,
short-term goals but procrastinate about more difficult, long-term
goals). But I don't begrudge the young this carefree spirit, because I
shared it myself once, and was happy to do so. You are only young
once, and to be a young adult, while feeling this freedom from the
burdens of adult life, is a wonderful thing.

You will only get this
one chance to experience it, and everyone should get that chance
(though, sadly, many young people - such as teenage parents, the young
unemployed, child soldiers, and so on - do not). That is probably why
many older people look back upon their late teens and early twenties -
perhaps when they were college students - as amongst the happiest
years of their lives (I know they were for me), simply because they
were full of carefree fun and new friendships and experiences, and
were relatively unburdened by the adult responsibilities that were to
follow.

But when we look back upon our youth, we are painfully aware of all
the opportunities we squandered, and the experiences we never had, all
because of this naive belief that there would always be enough time
tomorrow (or next year, or before we got too old). And when we see
young people making the same mistakes, we think, 'Oh, if only they
knew how fast these opportunities will pass them by; if only they
understood the importance of squeezing the juice from life while they
still have the chance.' But, equally, older people understand the
importance of planning for the future (however tedious and
'responsible' that sounds to young people), because the future will
arrive with frightening speed, and it is best to be prepared for it.
Both these things are, from the perspective of more mature years,
equally important: live for the moment, and seize life by the throat,
by all means, but don't forget to make plans for the future, because
you won't be young forever.

It is in this sense that we feel that 'youth is wasted on the young':
we have learned from experience how quickly the opportunities for life
experiences disappear, and it frustrates us to see young people
squandering them when, if we had the chance to live our lives again,
and be magically reborn as teenagers or college students, we would
seize the day, and suck the marrow from life, in the knowledge that we
are mortal, and that our time on this earth is finite, so we had
better make the most if it while we can.

I think the song that best conveys the tragedy and pathos of wasted
youth is 'Time', by Pink Floyd, from their classic album 'Dark Side of
the Moon'. Read, and pay heed, young people :o) :

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
Fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain
And you are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun

And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say





Footnote: It is a cruel irony that for young people to be free to
enjoy the opportunities of youth, they probably need a degree of
financial self-sufficiency. And yet most young people are typically
not very affluent (unless they have rich parents), and by the time
they have acquired the financial means to pursue their youthful
dreams, they are too old, either physically, psychologically, or in
terms of their adult responsibilities (children, etc.), to really
experience them to the fullest. So, it seems that young people have
the energy and time to pursue their dreams, but not the financial
means, while older people have the financial means, but no longer have
the time or the energy for them. Life sucks, eh? Unless, that is, you
decide to sponsor a young person to have the fun and do the things you
missed out on when you were young. And there are far worse things to
spend your savings on than empowering the youth of the world to make
the best of their youth, eh? :o) (I know that's what I plan to do).
65.3k Views · View Upvotes

Related QuestionsMore Answers Below

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Barry Hampe, Former child, now a father and grandfather
Written 10 Jun 2012
What does it mean?

It's sour grapes from some old guy who can no longer do what the kids
do, and envies them.
It's a legitimate comment that knowledge increases as the body's
ability decreases. I remember Martina Navratilova saying, when she no
longer played singles tennis, that she had reached the point where she
knew exactly what to do on the court, but could no longer get her body
to do it.
It's wishful thinking. "If I could be 20 again knowing what I know now."
And I agree with Stephanie Vardavas' answer to Who said "youth is
wasted on the young"? What does that mean?. Young people lack
perspective. They only know youth.


What would I do if I had the body of youth? Dunno, except I wouldn't
abuse it. No smoking. Lots more exercise. Run. Enjoy it.
9.7k Views · View Upvotes · Answer requested by
Jack Yu
Stephanie Vardavas, I wonder.
Written 9 Jun 2012
To me it means that those who are young lack the perspective to
appreciate all the advantages of youth, and thus take them for
granted.

Only a person who has experienced middle age and/or old age really has
the perspective to appreciate the benefits of being young. It's like
asking a fish how it feels about water -- it doesn't know anything
else.  Young people are familiar with youth, of course, but to them it
is just the way life is. They have nothing to compare it to, and often
think it tiresome when older people try to explain this to them (which
we consider obvious).
8k Views · View Upvotes · Answer requested by
Jack Yu
Keith R. Lavimodiere, Entrepreneur
Written 10 Jun 2012
It means bitterness.  If you think about it, what a stupid thing to
say.  It's actually adults reflecting on their own life and has
nothing to do with the children playing.

The phrase "youth is wasted on the young' is strictly about energy levels.

Kids have so much vitality they seem to have an endless supply of play
and unproductive running around.  As an adult it seems to be wasted
time, as nothing is being accomplished.  Adults are a little jealous
and envious but dismiss the horse play as needless and foolish by
calling it a "waste".  Inside they are smiling and possibly
reminiscing of those delightful early years.

I think the lack of perspective idea is saved for other idioms like
"Ignorance is bliss".  I'm almost 40 and I still don't see this play
as a waste.  Children have a way of teaching us how to live.  I feel
like I knew more when I was young and slowly I have been loosing the
ability to make those important decisions that have made me happy.
That is what I would truly consider a waste.
2.5k Views · View Upvotes
Mahesh Soori, I won't fit in this bucket
Written 20 Jun 2012
One way to look at it from the point of view of the stupid things done
by the youth; you think you are invincible, dont think much about the
consequences and jump in at the spur of the moment to do what seems to
make sense (or not) for that micro-second.  These actions can be
physically, monetarily or emotionally devastating and may even be life
threatening.


Youth is also easily manipulated thru idealism and emotion to the
point that they are even willing to give up their lives in extreme
cases, or willing to cause damage to others.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/as...

Talking about a more practical aspect of life, Education, most youth
end up neglecting the "boring" aspects of math and science and by the
time they realize their mistakes, its too late to catch up what was
lost.  This is partly due to how we are sheltered as children, and as
we get in to the society to fend for ourselves, the burdens of life
becomes apparent, but then you are caught up with life at full swing
and harder to change sails.

You'd expect life to teach you lessons thru experience, so if you have
been paying attention, you'd be wiser as you get old.  Unfortunately,
though, it comes with the cost of physical deterioration.  With years
of life experience on your side, you can now clearly see how the young
keep repeating the same old care free lifestyle that you had in your
youth... however, just as you didnt want to take advice from the old
in your day, the young dont want to take your advice now. So, as you
look back and reflect on your life, you might be able to look at the
mistakes made in your past and say "youth is wasted on the young"
because if you knew what you know now, you'd certainly had done things
differently.

So, from this perspective, the statement is correct, but fails to
realize that these are experiences sought out at different stages in
life.  So who is to say that these experiences are wrong?  You just
have to realize that the experiences came with a cost; a price you
were willing to pay at the time, not fully understanding the life long
effect it may have on you.

On the other hand, you might also want to coin a new phrase; "wisdom
is wasted on the old!"

Great advice from Steve Jobs about his life to those lucky to graduate
from STanford in 2005


Great quotes from Steve Jobs
http://mashable.com/2011/10/05/s...

The best advice you can get from a movie about life and not getting
involved in other people's wars is from AntZ
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120...

Another good movie about finding direction in life
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119...
13.2k Views · View Upvotes
Cyndi Perlman Fink, Getting old is pretty cool. Who knew?
Updated Jul 3, 2015
Please listen carefully.
If you're younger than 55, don't even try to answer this question,
You'll be operating on supposition only and I think that's not allowed
on Quora.

Young than 55, you think it means:

I can’t pass for 40-something anymore.
Hot flashes. Will they ever stop?
Is that a new wrinkle? It wasn’t there last night?
Cellulite! OMG!
Of course I can still pass for forty. Maybe not exactly forty, but
forty-six for sure.
Oy. I just learned the meaning of “puppet line” and I’m not happy about it.
If I didn’t know better, and I do, I’d swear that my hearing wasn’t as
keen as it used to be.
Wait. Was that an ache in my back? No, I’m way too young.
Gosh, I know I wanted something in this room but I can’t remember what
it was. I’ll go back to the other room and see if I can remember.


Cyndi at 70. I’d kill for those fifteen years.

There must still be a place in my body that doesn’t hurt. I just can’t find it.
I forgot what I wanted in this room. I’ll go back to the other room
and wait until it comes to me. I’m here and I still have no clue. Oh
well, if it’s important, it’ll come to me.
A conversation with my husband.Him: I’m going to the (indistinct).

Me: Speak up! I can’t hear you.

Him: Pass the butter.
Me: I’m feeling much better thank you.

Him: You need hearing aids.
Me: I need hearing aids? No. You need hearing aids!

Huffing, puffing huffing, puffing. When did they crank up this hill
and make it so much steeper?
Dear God, I’ve never asked for much. Please. A little facelift? You’ll
never miss the money. I promise.

A little breast lift. A little ass lift. A little face lift; upper
eyes, lower eyes, brow lift, under the chin, the neck, inner thighs,
outer thighs, between the thighs.

Okay, okay, so it’s more than a little bit of money, but I’m worth it.

It’s my last hurrah. I don’t want to look fifty-five.
It’s just that I still have a hunger, to simply look a little younger.
Can’t see, can’t hear, don’t know who is in the mirror looking back at me.

I know exactly what to do now, I’m wise. I can’t do it. Everything
hurts or aches or breaks.

Look at yourself right now. So young, so pretty, so talented, so
worthwhile, so amazing, so healthy and you have so much ahead of you.
You can hear and you can see and you can climb mountains and soar over
the earth.

You won’t listen of course because you suffer from a horrible disease,
a terminal disease called, “I’m immortal and everything and everyday
will be just like this.”

Youth is wasted on the young.
2.9k Views · View Upvotes · Answer requested by
Gokul Raju
Karen Opas, Professional writer and editor. Former non-profit
fundraiser, potter, bartend...
Written Nov 29, 2012
Qualifications: I'm about to turn 50 (my Quora photo is 4 years old,
in case you're wondering).

As a woman, that quote makes me think about how little I appreciated
my youthful beauty and the energy and capacity my body had in my teens
and twenties. It makes me sad that I see so many young women so busy
critiquing what is wrong with their looks that they don't enjoy their
natural physical peak. Sure, they may--as they get older--take better
care of their bodies in terms of exercise, what they eat, lotions,
etc., but the glow of youth is a one time thing.

I wish I'd had more self-confidence, believed the compliments that
came my way, and enjoyed the degree of comfort I have today within my
my much less biologically attractive current body.

I wish I'd fully enjoyed the time I spent on nude beaches, instead of
worrying about that nearly invisible tummy roll!

And I wish that the spring I decided to skip exams and head down to
Tierra del Fuego from Alberta on my thumb, a few hundred dollars, and
hope, I'd made it further than Texas before "good" sense kicked in.
Because today I have far too much awareness of the risks to ever stick
out a thumb and let the road take me where it might.

Youth is wasted on the young if they spend too much time worrying
about the future instead of enjoying the present, if they waste energy
worrying about what others think of them, if they lock into a joyless
career simply because they can't imagine anything else, if they can't
feel the love and admiration their friends and family of any age hold
for them, and if they can't strut down the street enjoying the glances
that come their way!
3.3k Views · View Upvotes
Tom Byron, Graduate of The University of Alabama- B'ham ('87) Bachelor
of Science (Economic
Updated Feb 6

Original Question:

What does it mean to say, "youth is wasted on the young"?

________________________________

This question is obviously written by someone under the age of 22.

At some point in everyone's life, they realize, "... if I would
have..." or "...I should have..." or better still, "... why did I..."

One realizes, at a much older age than my supposed guess as to the
poster's age, that if I had the energy now to do (fill in the
blank___) I would do _____. Your age will catch up to you sooner than
you think.

You will, perhaps, learn enough in life, early enough, to realize
that, "there is still time to do _____.

A lot of youth assume they will never get "old". "I have 'millions' of
tomorrow's". Hopefully, with any luck, a young person will realize
that regrets are actually the realization of time "wasted".

With a little hard work early enough, those hopes can become realities.

"Life is lived going forward now, not in reverse later." There is no
Benjamin Button, that is a movie.

"Carpe Diem"!!

1.7k Views · View Upvotes
Liz Mullen, Sports reporter, horseplayer @SBJLizMullen
Written Jun 10, 2012
What it means is you realize how much MORE FUN you could have had, if
only you knew then what you know now. LOL!

That includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

1. Sex
2. Love
3. Food
4. Travel
5. Meeting New People
6. Education
7. Sports
8. The Arts--Music, Art, Films, Books
9. Going on Adventures


Etc., Etc. Etc.

I am so grateful that I have had a very interesting and cool life. But
if I could do it all again? WOW! Can't even imagine how great it would
have been.

But, no regrets.

Very, very grateful. :-)
1.6k Views · View Upvotes
Bob Hooker, Quora admins are now openly engaging in political censorship
Written Jul 25, 2013
I have lived my life to the theme of youth is wasted on the young, to
some interesting results.

When I was young I decided to live in a way that would mean I had no regrets

I took jobs because they held passion for me, not because I wanted to
make a quick buck

I travelled a great deal, going through Europe, North America, Asia
and North Africa.  I had been to almost 40 nations before I was 40, I
was presumed dead in Japan, almost feel off an mountain in Nepal, got
stranded for a while in a messed up Romania, and slept on the streets
of Paris because I ran out of cash.

I filled much of my free time with art, composing a number of pieces
myself and keeping a number of diaries.

I did a great deal of partying, having a lot of fun, seeing a great
deal of cool concerts, and having a few wonderful relationships with
amazing women.

I found the love of my life, an artist, who has made me happy.

I set out to learn a number of key that I learned to some degree,
Godel's Proof, Relativity Theory, I studied Zen Buddhism, learned
(very imperfectly) a foreign language, spent time in a Buddhist
Monastery,  and did a few things I am not proud of but wanted to do
before I was too old to do them.

And you know something, it still sucks to get old.  It has made no
difference to the problems of facing death, lose of loved ones, seeing
people's around you getting sick and not being the people you used to
love.

I have lost to 2 greatest older people I ever knew.

So by all means do what you feel you want to do, but don't be foolish
enough to think that by having no regrets its going to be easy to grow
old, because it is not.
2.5k Views · View Upvotes
JM Cortese
Written Oct 5, 2015
Life is one of those tasks that you only ever get to do once, and it's
always for the first time.  By the time you know yourself, know what
your wants and preferences are, know where your firm boundaries are
located and where you are willing to bend, and know what makes you
happy ... it's almost over.

It would be much better if life were iterative, so that you don't have
to -- for example -- discover what it really was you should have
majored in in college 30 years too late but could instead go back in
time and tell yourself, "Hey idiot, get a math degree instead of
physics because the math nerds are a lot nicer, and you'll be expected
to hang with these idiots for the rest of your career."  O:-)

That's what it means.  When you have all those decisions in front of
you and all the time to make them, you don't have the information you
need to make them well.  When it comes to life, we're all rookies.
699 Views · View Upvotes
Will A Million
Updated Aug 15

When I talk to the Youth, this is my favorite subject. THE YOUTH IS
WASTED ON THE YOUNG.

Most people think young and youth are the same thing. They are not the
same at all. When you are young, you have youth, at this stage of your
development. Life is in stages, you are provided with the tools you
need at each stage to. At the age where most consider to being young,
you have at that which is called youth. Thank of it as a gas tank with
precious fuel, every drop used is spent and will not be refilled.
That’s youth when you are young. At the young stage, you are given
youth, in it contains, Brain Power, Stamina, Endurance, Vitality,
Virility.

What’s young people’s favorite expression? “ I’m young, I’m in my 20s,
I just want to have fun, or the 20s are all mine. They put aside
school for partying, while burning through precious brain power,
learning lyrics to songs and mastering nothing positive. Using there
vitality and virility to perform all night every night with the
opposite sex. Using up their stamina and endurance partying 7 days a
week and going to work the next day. By the time they are 30, and want
to turn it around and go back to school, guess what, not much left in
the tank.

So while you are young, you put all that fun on the shelf, all that
mojo in that tank we call youth, should be spent toward hard work and
becoming what ever it is you want to be. At that stage, you were
provided with all that you need to make anything of yourself that you
desire. Brain Power, Stamina, Endurance, Vitality, Virility….