Thats Paxo for you.
As to his specific comments, I would agree with some, disgree with others. Just because he is a well known broadcaster does not impart additional wisdom to his comments ;)
From the article you link to;
"‘I’m not arguing in favour of National Service, but I feel in awe of my parents’ generation who had to do that, and a bit guilty having such a privileged life. We’ve had it pretty easy and never been tested.
I would agree with the sentiment, but feel no guilt - why should we?
‘Obviously I’m not wishing war on anyone, but it might have been better for all of us if we’d been obliged to do something rather than choosing for ourselves.
- I would disagree. Where in the manual of life does it say anywhere that you have a duty? And millions of people are obliged to do something everyday - they have to work , to provide, to care for others.
'It’s difficult to comprehend today a society where people were expected to do things other than gratify themselves."
Again, its easy to criticise when you set this generation against the war generation - those who experienced sacrifice and deprivation through events larger than themselves - but we should not wish that to be the norm - and every single day I engage with plenty of people who are focused on something other than self-gratification.
I think Paxo seems a bit full of self-loathing, myself.