how can the 'greatest generation' be known as the greatest

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by Cinco Ranch

There was less crime in the 1980s compared to now.

What? I lived in NYC-6 murders a day, almost 2 day in Bronx. Now just under 1 per day.

[Thoreau424]

"Greatest Generation" is just a label and identifier, nothing more. The concept of naming a "greatest generation" is even a farce when you really think about it.

Sometimes these things get started when the atmosphere is ripe for repeating and perpetuation. People become used to the labels and continue using them, often without really thinking about them, and or even reevaluating them for accuracy or relevance.

We have a bad habit of getting tripped up and caught up on labels. See them for what they are, and move on. Don't give them more value or credit than they are due.

Greatness does not depend on visibility or lip service. Even on a smaller scale; doing a helpful and significant deed for others or your community - without seeking attention - constitutes "greatness", yet isn't known to many. Many of the greatest people around us are not known widely. Greatness come from merits and acts, not recognition. We'd be good to especially remember that these days, when so many chase after and elevate false "greatness" by the powerful.

[Hulsker 1856]

Originally Posted by Cinco Ranch

There was less crime in the 1980s compared to now.

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

What? I lived in NYC-6 murders a day, almost 2 day in Bronx. Now just under 1 per day.

Correct.

The national homicide rate was around 4/100,000k in the 1950s. It began increasing, and between 1970 the mid-1990s it fluctuated between 8/100,000k and 10/100,000k. By 1999 it was below 6/100,000k again. By 2010, below 5/100,000k. It's been hovering around that mark since then - it was at 5.3/100,000k in 2017, the last year for which data is currently available.

But there wasn't a 24/7 media cycle bombarding Cinco Ranch with murder news in the 80s. He obviously is oblivious to the data and is just going by his impressions. Lots of people are that way, having no idea what is going on yet because they consume massive amounts of infotainment, they think they do.