As a generation, we Gen Xers did not fucking matter to capitalism. We never had the numbers and I'd argue our cultural cachet expired in the mid-2010s. The ONLY reason we're brought up now, treated as cool? They see Gen Z coming to replace all those Boomers, the ones who thought their stuff--from hangups to movies--were immortal.
So...they'll use us one last time, just to perpetuate a self-serving lie. They can count me out. They didn't give a damn about me when I needed them. I'm now returning the favor.
One billion percent agree, Johnathon! Every time I think I’ve grasped the fullness of how we’ve been fucked, a new set of scales falls from my eyes. I’m so fucking over it.
Call me an optimist, Lawrence (so many people have in recent years) but fucked and fucked over are separate things. We've definitely been the second. Jury is still out on the first.
The systems hurting us are failing to adapt to new conditions to get their desired outcome. As you pointed out, we've had practice with adaptation. So, in the lyrics of Devora, "I'm riding into a pitch-black sunset/I'm not dead yet,/I'm not dead yet"
This is exactly my point! We’re late bloomers because no one else has this adaptive skill so finely honed. We’re the ones who will fix this mess because no one else knows how.
The mistake we need to avoid (and you touched on this in the article): doing it alone. Like I said, we've never had the numbers to matter. But Gen Z? Absolutely do. So we need to form alliances.
HOWEVER...we also need to avoid the need to be in charge. As far as I'm concerned, I'm a background extra for whatever the decent, sane portions of Gen Z wanna do. Give advice, yes. Point problems, sure. But that's as far as I'm going. Consensus is how we make it work with the kids.
Not hard at all if you remember one thing, I argue: this is about more than just what was done to us. You likely heard the phrase "check your privilege" by now. That applies here. It starts with actually LISTENING, a much rarer skill than some want to believe.
I made multiple comments during the chat, but one I forgot to make is one you highlighted. We created and shared what we made. When we did that, our parents asked "why aren't you charging for that?" We tried to explain that charging for what we did was "selling out". We still look at things that way. How many of us volunteer our time, or give our creative ideas to others to benefit all? We see the greed and corruption of the "profit motive" and tried to cast it aside. We are the cool kids, because we'll help anyone who needs it. We are the "losers", because we stopped actively playing the game to win. When we see folks talk about being "winners" economicly, politically, or socially. We, Gen X, typically look to see who is being hurt by the winners. Some of us stand up and help protect the weak. Others stand by and hope they aren't attacked. And of course, some are afraid of being labeled a loser so they stand with the "winners", even though they aren't really accepted. Bottom line, great article. We stand with you. We support you, as we support each other, and at some point, we will change things for the better, because we know we can.
Oh, one more thing: Tarantino is VASTLY overrated.
😂😂😂
And I’m just so, so tired now.
Omg, yes, Michelle. Constant alertness for never ending shape shifting can wear a person OUT.
As a generation, we Gen Xers did not fucking matter to capitalism. We never had the numbers and I'd argue our cultural cachet expired in the mid-2010s. The ONLY reason we're brought up now, treated as cool? They see Gen Z coming to replace all those Boomers, the ones who thought their stuff--from hangups to movies--were immortal.
So...they'll use us one last time, just to perpetuate a self-serving lie. They can count me out. They didn't give a damn about me when I needed them. I'm now returning the favor.
One billion percent agree, Johnathon! Every time I think I’ve grasped the fullness of how we’ve been fucked, a new set of scales falls from my eyes. I’m so fucking over it.
Call me an optimist, Lawrence (so many people have in recent years) but fucked and fucked over are separate things. We've definitely been the second. Jury is still out on the first.
The systems hurting us are failing to adapt to new conditions to get their desired outcome. As you pointed out, we've had practice with adaptation. So, in the lyrics of Devora, "I'm riding into a pitch-black sunset/I'm not dead yet,/I'm not dead yet"
This is exactly my point! We’re late bloomers because no one else has this adaptive skill so finely honed. We’re the ones who will fix this mess because no one else knows how.
The mistake we need to avoid (and you touched on this in the article): doing it alone. Like I said, we've never had the numbers to matter. But Gen Z? Absolutely do. So we need to form alliances.
HOWEVER...we also need to avoid the need to be in charge. As far as I'm concerned, I'm a background extra for whatever the decent, sane portions of Gen Z wanna do. Give advice, yes. Point problems, sure. But that's as far as I'm going. Consensus is how we make it work with the kids.
The hardest thing about Gen X / Gen Z interactions is toning down our anger and frustration. They need hope, not snark.
Not hard at all if you remember one thing, I argue: this is about more than just what was done to us. You likely heard the phrase "check your privilege" by now. That applies here. It starts with actually LISTENING, a much rarer skill than some want to believe.
Great summation! I am good with being a cool loser capable of adapting to whatever comes my way - that makes me a winner.
I am freaking exhausted. All this pivoting and figuring it out in real time does take a toll.
I made multiple comments during the chat, but one I forgot to make is one you highlighted. We created and shared what we made. When we did that, our parents asked "why aren't you charging for that?" We tried to explain that charging for what we did was "selling out". We still look at things that way. How many of us volunteer our time, or give our creative ideas to others to benefit all? We see the greed and corruption of the "profit motive" and tried to cast it aside. We are the cool kids, because we'll help anyone who needs it. We are the "losers", because we stopped actively playing the game to win. When we see folks talk about being "winners" economicly, politically, or socially. We, Gen X, typically look to see who is being hurt by the winners. Some of us stand up and help protect the weak. Others stand by and hope they aren't attacked. And of course, some are afraid of being labeled a loser so they stand with the "winners", even though they aren't really accepted. Bottom line, great article. We stand with you. We support you, as we support each other, and at some point, we will change things for the better, because we know we can.
Yeah! This made me feel fucking cool.