Generation X
musicismylife78
Posts: 6,116
What is everyones thought on this generational construct, because I would assume, a lot of people on this board, including myself, belong to this generation.
Our parents, the boomers, all 60 plus million of them, certainly all didn’t act the same in the 60’s or 70’s, but they didn’t disdain, or shy away from being called boomers or the “peace and love generation”. To say that the Boomers rejected the values of their parents and turned on, tuned in and dropped out, isn’t obviously going to describe the actions of 60 million people, but it certainly describes a lot of them. To say The Graduate or Easy Rider defined 60 million people, isn’t accurate, but to say those films describe and accurately portray how some of the Boomers felt at that time, is indeed accurate.
Flash forward to Generation X. Most Gen X’s reject that label. They seem to see it more as a media construct than an actual idea or accurate description.
Why do the Boomers accept and feel much of the media portray their generation, both back then, and now, as accurate? And conversely why does Generation X, continually run away from the term Generation X and the characteristics of it?
To boil it down, Generation X, was defined by the ideas of being a slacker, or being cynical, of being angry, of being nihilistic.
So my question is, why is Generation X so angry about being defined or categorized, by some accurate descriptions that did describe many of us? And additionally, what happened to Generation X? The Boomers as we all know, tuned in and dropped out, and then got jobs, married and had us. They became Yuppies. They moved to the suburbs and are now soccer moms.
What happened to our generation, and where are they now? Are they still the cynical, slacker, alternative, activist, nihilist, that they were in 1992?
Our parents, the boomers, all 60 plus million of them, certainly all didn’t act the same in the 60’s or 70’s, but they didn’t disdain, or shy away from being called boomers or the “peace and love generation”. To say that the Boomers rejected the values of their parents and turned on, tuned in and dropped out, isn’t obviously going to describe the actions of 60 million people, but it certainly describes a lot of them. To say The Graduate or Easy Rider defined 60 million people, isn’t accurate, but to say those films describe and accurately portray how some of the Boomers felt at that time, is indeed accurate.
Flash forward to Generation X. Most Gen X’s reject that label. They seem to see it more as a media construct than an actual idea or accurate description.
Why do the Boomers accept and feel much of the media portray their generation, both back then, and now, as accurate? And conversely why does Generation X, continually run away from the term Generation X and the characteristics of it?
To boil it down, Generation X, was defined by the ideas of being a slacker, or being cynical, of being angry, of being nihilistic.
So my question is, why is Generation X so angry about being defined or categorized, by some accurate descriptions that did describe many of us? And additionally, what happened to Generation X? The Boomers as we all know, tuned in and dropped out, and then got jobs, married and had us. They became Yuppies. They moved to the suburbs and are now soccer moms.
What happened to our generation, and where are they now? Are they still the cynical, slacker, alternative, activist, nihilist, that they were in 1992?
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Comments
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I've never really heard those characterizations of boomers. I've always thought of it as the post-war baby boom.
all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.0 -
why does everything need a label?0
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this is way before my time ;p0
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I'm a tad too young to be Gen X, I fall into the "Boomerang" catagory, but like Gen Xers I reject the label. The idea is that my generation, left home and boomeranged back to live in Mom and Dad's basement until we are 30. Perhaps it does, in some general sense, describe my generation, but I don't share those qualities.I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire0
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cutback wrote:why does everything need a label?
Thats a very Gen X thing to ask.0 -
Hmm... good questions. Maybe we saw how the previous generations attempts to change the world didn't actually work. Maybe we've come to realise that we just have to accept things the way they are whether we like it or not :( but that doesn't suit the human psyche so it brings out negativityThe Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you0 -
radiohead33 wrote:What is everyones thought on this generational construct, because I would assume, a lot of people on this board, including myself, belong to this generation.
Our parents, the boomers, all 60 plus million of them, certainly all didn’t act the same in the 60’s or 70’s, but they didn’t disdain, or shy away from being called boomers or the “peace and love generation”. To say that the Boomers rejected the values of their parents and turned on, tuned in and dropped out, isn’t obviously going to describe the actions of 60 million people, but it certainly describes a lot of them. To say The Graduate or Easy Rider defined 60 million people, isn’t accurate, but to say those films describe and accurately portray how some of the Boomers felt at that time, is indeed accurate.
Flash forward to Generation X. Most Gen X’s reject that label. They seem to see it more as a media construct than an actual idea or accurate description.
Why do the Boomers accept and feel much of the media portray their generation, both back then, and now, as accurate? And conversely why does Generation X, continually run away from the term Generation X and the characteristics of it?
To boil it down, Generation X, was defined by the ideas of being a slacker, or being cynical, of being angry, of being nihilistic.
So my question is, why is Generation X so angry about being defined or categorized, by some accurate descriptions that did describe many of us? And additionally, what happened to Generation X? The Boomers as we all know, tuned in and dropped out, and then got jobs, married and had us. They became Yuppies. They moved to the suburbs and are now soccer moms.
What happened to our generation, and where are they now? Are they still the cynical, slacker, alternative, activist, nihilist, that they were in 1992?
My thought is generalizations about groups of people are generally hogwash and cause people to view others with prejudice.The only people we should try to get even with...
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.0 -
I still prefer Girlfriend in a Coma over Generation X
You can tell a man from what he has to say - Neil & Tim Finn
They love you so badly for sharing their sorrow, so pick up that guitar and go break a heart - Kris Kristofferson0 -
cutback wrote:why does everything need a label?
gen x revolted against the media construct of labels...until we realized that we can control said media...once the boomers drop off...of course now we are destined to be another "lost" generation skipped between the boomers and the "y's"
meh, whatever. at least we still influence and define cool.
:cool:IF YOU WANT A PLATE OF MY BEEF SWELLINGTON, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THE COVERCHARGE.0 -
"To boil it down, Generation X, was defined by the ideas of being a slacker, or being cynical, of being angry, of being nihilistic.
So my question is, why is Generation X so angry about being defined or categorized, by some accurate descriptions that did describe many of us?"
Perhaps because they're all slackers, cynical, angry and nihilistic?
Wouldn't fit the Gen X stereotype to embrace the Gen X stereotype now would it?0 -
I'm not sure what generation I'm in. I was born in 1976. I'm sorta in a hazy area between "Generation X" and "the MTV Generation". I feel rather nihilistic when I think about MTV - I wonder what that means.0
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Kenny Olav wrote:I'm not sure what generation I'm in. I was born in 1976. I'm sorta in a hazy area between "Generation X" and "the MTV Generation". I feel rather nihilistic when I think about MTV - I wonder what that means.
If US MTV is anything like the European version now is, it probably means you have a brain and are not afraid to use it.
I was also born in 1976 and never thought about what generation that would be. I think it's an easy and stupid way of pigeonhole-ing.
Funny thing btw - none of those labels like boomers or Generation X are used over here. The exception being people born during WWII because they do show a lot of similar behaviour patterns like refusing to throw anything away and eating a lot of fat foods or refusing to throw away remains because there wasn't a lot of food (or anything basically) when they grew up.You can tell a man from what he has to say - Neil & Tim Finn
They love you so badly for sharing their sorrow, so pick up that guitar and go break a heart - Kris Kristofferson0 -
The problem for Gen X'ers is that they have come to believe life is pointless and the world is going to hell. They're in denial, because if they accepted the fact that they were Gen X'ers, they would have to admit that everything sucks.
What I see around me, is that people start taking an interest in the more 'optimistic' side of things, like IT and business (money, yay!). To me, that seems more hedonistic than optimistic, but I guess I am a true Gen X'er, hehehe!
By the way, I also like Girlfriend In A Coma, but All Families Are Psychotic is my favourite I thinkradiohead33 wrote:What is everyones thought on this generational construct, because I would assume, a lot of people on this board, including myself, belong to this generation.
Our parents, the boomers, all 60 plus million of them, certainly all didn’t act the same in the 60’s or 70’s, but they didn’t disdain, or shy away from being called boomers or the “peace and love generation”. To say that the Boomers rejected the values of their parents and turned on, tuned in and dropped out, isn’t obviously going to describe the actions of 60 million people, but it certainly describes a lot of them. To say The Graduate or Easy Rider defined 60 million people, isn’t accurate, but to say those films describe and accurately portray how some of the Boomers felt at that time, is indeed accurate.
Flash forward to Generation X. Most Gen X’s reject that label. They seem to see it more as a media construct than an actual idea or accurate description.
Why do the Boomers accept and feel much of the media portray their generation, both back then, and now, as accurate? And conversely why does Generation X, continually run away from the term Generation X and the characteristics of it?
To boil it down, Generation X, was defined by the ideas of being a slacker, or being cynical, of being angry, of being nihilistic.
So my question is, why is Generation X so angry about being defined or categorized, by some accurate descriptions that did describe many of us? And additionally, what happened to Generation X? The Boomers as we all know, tuned in and dropped out, and then got jobs, married and had us. They became Yuppies. They moved to the suburbs and are now soccer moms.
What happened to our generation, and where are they now? Are they still the cynical, slacker, alternative, activist, nihilist, that they were in 1992?Like a cloud dropping rain
I'm discarding all thought
I'll dry up, leaving puddles on the ground
I'm like an opening band for the sun0 -
The torch is passed it's yours to return
Lay at their feet now use it to burn
For marketing the use of the word generation
A false alliance of money persuading7/16/06 7/18/060 -
I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire0
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I didin't realise that Gen X wa sthought of in that way.
I'm form 1964, which I have been told is the last year of the Baby boomer gang, others have told me 1960 was , which makes me easily Gen X.
I thought it was just a general descriptor for roughly when you were born. Thoise characterizations will fit some people from every generation.
I think we grew up in very good years, the world was simpler, teh Pill had been invented but political correctness had not, we were the upwardly mobile generation, our parents came from the Great Depression, but we grew in a tiem of increasing wealth amnd knew no hunger or privation. There was no war for Gen X to worry about or contend with. MOrals were liberal, nude sunbathing was OK, streakers at teh cricket got a cheer, now they get 5 yrs jail. It was a time of sunshine and shagging and great rock music.
These days teh world is more complex, corporations are taking over, property is criminally expensive, insurance and legal stuff is out of control
It's easy to see the world as an increasingly hostile place compared to the cruisy comfortable liberal one we grew up in.Music is not a competetion.0 -
Sonja_S wrote:I still prefer Girlfriend in a Coma over Generation X
what about all families are psychotic?hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say0 -
catefrances wrote:what about all families are psychotic?
not bad either
I should read that one again someday when I can find the time. Followed by Eleanor Rigby, I liked that one a lot too. You can tell a man from what he has to say - Neil & Tim Finn
They love you so badly for sharing their sorrow, so pick up that guitar and go break a heart - Kris Kristofferson0 -
Sonja_S wrote:not bad either I should read that one again someday when I can find the time. Followed by Eleanor Rigby, I liked that one a lot too.
oh god yes. i like eleanor rigby a lot too. i'm trying to get through life after god. it's not a difficult read by any stretch, im just distracted.
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say0
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