Aside from the selfishness and outright delusion, I think there is also a level of cope going on in older generations. These are people who are mentally incapable of handling the scale of the challenge. Watching them “work” on the problem of climate change is like watching a uni student who has an overdue assignment bargain with themself over the daily late penalties. Each penalty is so small, it doesn’t feel like a big deal to submit it 1 day late or 2 days late. Before they know it, they’re at 7 days late and in danger of failing the entire assignment.
Aside from the selfishness and outright delusion, I think there is also a level of cope going on in older generations. These are people who are mentally incapable of handling the scale of the challenge. Watching them “work” on the problem of climate change is like watching a uni student who has an overdue assignment bargain with themself over the daily late penalties. Each penalty is so small, it doesn’t feel like a big deal to submit it 1 day late or 2 days late. Before they know it, they’re at 7 days late and in danger of failing the entire assignment.