Boomer Backlash
Posted by anastasia on 12-14-2005Another generational differences story, this time from the AP's Martha Irvine about what X & Y think of the Boomers (summary: it's a love-hate thing). It's funny because in the history book I've been reading about teens, people said many of the same things about the first wave of Boomers when they were teens as people are saying about Gen Y. They were "optimistic," "entitled," hugely marketed to (post War exuberance, etc.). Anyhow I find it a little scary that Madonna and Bono are considered a Boomers. From the article:
"…'having it all'is fast becoming a myth, not the mantra it was for boomers who left behind their protest signs and tie-dye to climb the corporate ladder. And now, she says, many boomer parents are pressuring their kids to achieve even more.
'No one is happy. Everyone is overworked, over-stressed. No one's spending the kind of time that they want with their kids or their spouses or partners. And I think part of that can be attributed to the boomers,' says Lovett, who's 27. 'I wish they would've paid more attention to our lifestyles.'"
It's a good read. A younger colleague said something pretty smart yesterday about generations X & Y and the always on, multi-tasking technology mode (not just work, entertainment, too) many of us have become addicted to. Basically that our mid-life crisis will involve unplugging or dropping out to rediscover the no-tech quiet meditative spaces that so many young people are completely lacking now.
December 14th, 2005 at 8:58 am
Wow, I'm glad you posted that information. It's very telling and very true.
Just to comment on the end, I think you're right on the money about the "unplugging". In the last few years, the few vacations I've taken, I've left everything behind and it's amazing how alive you really feel without the computer or tv or whatever.
I could really see that sort of trend catching on. Even at this point, I'm probably the most tech savie person in my office and I let everyone know to not expect me to answer e-mails or phone calls outside of the office, while even my boss and other peers want to be connected always. There has to be separation and I think it'll catch up to most people at some point who overindulge like that.
December 16th, 2005 at 10:42 am
That article was definitely a bit better than the other one. Hopefully, some self-righeous hypocrite doesn't decide to malign one of the people quoted. Just wanted to tell you that I really do like the site a lot, I check it every day now.