This is all true, but it goes both ways - older people tend to be more set in their ways, more obstinate and opposed to change for the sake of opposing it.  On the whole, humans are feckless, short-sighted, narrow-minded creatures.  We look to protect our own interests first and foremost above and beyond others, and for many people this only gets worse with age, when there is something to protect and guard against losing.  I continue to be more underwhelmed by the older generation as I grow older.