I would agree that the loss of the knowledge and experience of older generations is seriously hampering us now. Both the groups who survived the epidemics of the first half of the 20th century as well as those who lived through the depression of the 1930's are all slowly dieing off now and the loss of that experience is shown in the antivax movement as well as the dismantling of the structures created to prevent another depression.

Unfortunately we now have the Boomer generation entering the place in society that was formerly held by those who had survived the epidemics and the depression. So our cultural memory shifts from one of societal cooperation to one of "me first" as the most selfish and inwardly looking generation takes its place as society's elders. In some ways it's no wonder that we've got the mess we have due to this.