Jimmy stands on his soapbox and begins to mutter a few words to the passing mafioso

Attention my fellow gan...*ahem* citizens,

Can one get too old?, I ask this as walking around hte streets today I see many, many changes, although I am young myself I have been told many stories of days gone past, so I ask myself, am i too old before my time, is this possible?.

I believe in moving along with the times, and like to adapt to new situations but where does it become easier for the younger generation than the older, wiser hats?.

Just a simple question and sorry for encroaching on anyones time, as always any responses will be greatly recieved.

Many thanks for listening.

Only if you don't have the intelligence or desire to adapt, move with the times and focus on the things you can influence. You used the key word yourself; adapt. The best around these shores adapt and still end up atop the pile.

The youngest look at the oldest for learn the way, will be the moment they will step up and, the youngest will look after the oldest, trying to learn the last important lesson, accept to die.
The natural way of the event when we live in regime of respect.
In your words used to ask the question is the answer, be respectful and ask for respect is a way for become old

Diablos listens to Jimmy and Hoopi

Hoopi you have hit the nail on the head. One can never be to old so long as you follow the ways thing change as we move through time. Just like Hoopi said.. Adapt. I can't really say it any better. I mean a perfect example is our beautiful Hoopi here.

She is a stunner even in her old age. Definitely keeps up with the times to look amazing.

Diablos winks at Hoopi

Blows out a birthday candle.. realizing he isn't all that old, he takes a bite of cake and considers the question at hand..

You know, as I was reading some journals there has been a lot of change since my bloodline committed its first crime..from underground crews, to leading cities to being a nobody on the street corner, I had read and gained knowledge on our world and what has happened before..

I think as long as you understand how our world revolves, have enough heart and compassion for not only our world, but YOU as a criminal and always wanting to better yourself.. then no you cannot grow too old.. You are as old in our world as you let yourself be, take it from a man with a past - but a man with a past who is working harder than he ever has to make a name for himself in a great city.

Alfonse hears of the man who's speaking and offers up a tale for the folks to think on..

 "Nydlover, being wise doesn't only come with age and experience, It is wise teachings that influence young minds. Those lucky enough to find someone with the experience, who is willing to adhere and appreciate being given knowledge beyond their years and combine that knowledge with their own can result in great things, new begginings and intuitive thought processes that make way for advancement."

"Now personally, I watched my forefathers work their whole lives with little to nothing, complaining as the world around them evolved. Didn't make it right or wrong. They were content with not conforming to a cloth they were not cut from. Did they suffer? I beleive so, yes.. Could I change their minds? Never, only try and explain when the need to was evident."

"So to address your question fully, I would have to say that it is definately possible to feel too old, as you have seen and heard, have some wisdom and thus - lost a spark, or an interest once posessed. The mind has a way of recalling great experiences in a way that makes it hard to re-train. For it knows this experience will not be as momentus as the first."

Alfonse lights a cigarette and waits to hear others reply...

Realizing he addressed Nydlover instead of JimmyPotatoes, Alfonse retorts with an apology. "My opologies, JimmyPotatoes. I had you confused with one of the others here."

<blockquote>but where does it become easier for the younger generation than the older</blockquote>

In my opinion the answer to this particular question is that a sociaty is always an exchange of imputs between the older and the younger generations. The older setting the frames of things and keeping traditions and forms, while the younger comes with spontanity and ideas (even if not always good). As long as the older generations is able to adapt as stated by people before me thats all good. But i do also think that the older generations need to have an open ear to younger people or the idea and dreams of the different generations will slowly drift apart and that gap this motion creates can become a source for conflict. Then the question is, then when do the younger get the strength to overthrow and revolutionise...well to stay strong and powerfull you must see with an objective eye what is happening around you, in the masses of people in the sociaty. So i guess the answer put simply is, only when the elders turn so much to tradition so as not to listen to the beating heart of sociaty they put themselfes at risk of being outdone by the younger generations...or to answer the questions, then it becomes easier for the young than the old...all this being said we are in a world were respect and tradition have a huge role, and as most merchants would agree to revolution is only profiable when it happens somewhere else than your home.

McCall watches the conversation unfold in front of him, listening to the many differing opinions on old age. Deciding he may have something to add he speaks up, but decides to stay in the shadows, partially obscured from the masses.

There is no such thing as being too old. Whilst relatively young myself, my family have stalked these streets, and streets almost identical to them for the better part of a decade, so whilst I myself may not be old I guess my family line is.

Change is good, change is needed. Societies that do not change are doomed to stagnation and eventual death. However that does not mean that change is inevitable or automatic. In fact change purely for change's sake can often be far worse and far more destructive than no change at all. Old age though is no barrier to change. Some of our oldest members are our most ardent advocates for change. look at Godfather Deimne, he is older than the Gaints Causeway and Stonehenge added together, yet he has spearheaded more changes and driven through alterations to our society than I care to remember.

Old age is not the enemy of our society. Intransigence is the enemy. Inability to recognise what is good for our society is the enemy. On occasion disrespecting your elders can also be pretty catastrophic as well I believe.

With that McCall steps back fully into the concealment of the alley's gloom and is gone.

No apology required Alfonse, your reply is very much appreciated, and thank you to all who have responded.

After reading the various opinions on this discussion perhaps I was feeling somewhat older than my time, mid life crisis perhaps, it can be hard seeing the younger, more fitter members of society advance so fluidly and quickly.

Maybe I'm jealous in a way, though that said, it can make a person all the more determined than ever.