Susan Boyle: the Newest Voice of "Generation Jones"

BlogCritics Magazine ^ | April 21, 2009 | Alie James

[Linda is Watching]

Susan Boyle, the Newest Voice of "Generation Jones"

by Alie James

I never cry, but I cry each time I watch Susan Boyle singing, "I've Dreamed a Dream". Recently discovered on Britain's Got Talent, she's an amazing celebrity find for Generation Jones. I'm sure many of you have already viewed her YouTube video, but if not I suggest you do. As for the expression, Generation Jones (GenJones for short), you may not know that this is a newly identified Generation, one which lies between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. Since I'd like to focus on Boyle in this article, I'll refer you to a recent USA Today article by Jonathan Pontell and a website for futher information about Generation Jones, since millions of you will realize you belong to the GenJonesers, rather than the Baby Boomers.

Susan Boyle is a reality show's dream. Her instant celebrity will put Britain's Got Talent and the "evil" Simon Cowell in history books. Even better than that, though, Susan Boyle will become someone we remember who reignited our belief in goodness and possibilities. She has come to us at exactly the right time, as many of us are trying to recover from the economic downturn of recent years, which has left so many of our dreams shattered.

Wouldn't you agree, we need a reason to dream again? So, let's just do it, if not for ourselves, then for Susan Boyle. She is a champion we can cheer on and believe in, someone we can rally around and be inspired by. Her story begins with Simon Cowell, who I'm quite familiar with since I regularly watch American Idol. He is so easily bored, doesn't smile often during a performance, and rarely gives a positive review. Actually, he's quite rude and demoralizing (but strangely enough, he's usually right on the mark.) To see Simon so delighted during her performance was thrilling. I watched as she penetrated his cold heart. Wow! I really mean, wow - no one gets to Simon like that. The impact she had on him tells me she instantly earned a place in history and in our hearts. Perhaps, (dare I say it) she might become the People's Princess in the way that Princess Diana did.

A recent article from a Scotland news site entitled, "Alastair Campbell has new spin on Susan Boyle phenomenon", discusses the topic of "authenticity". I have been writing about "authenticity" for quite some time, even as recently as my last BlogCritic's review. Authenticity is a trait the public is responding to, probably due to our fascination with reality shows. Being authentic is the way winner's win, beloved leader's lead, and great artists perform. In other words, it's the way ordinary people become legends. The public, if allowed to see the person for who they really are, will respond to them - this is reality.

Susan Boyle will inspire all of us, especially those of us who are GenJonesers and Baby Boomers. She'll remind us how to rise above the things that keep us from succeeding and how to keep our flame burning. Let's just remember her "starburst" when we begin to feel like "has beens", used up, and out of ideas. Let's listen to her sing, whenever we watch ourselves, day after day, being passed over in order for a member of the younger generation to get a chance to shine.

I really don't think life has to be static. Life can change at any time - in a flash, in a note, in a stroke. It's that quick! So, let's embrace her moment, our moment, and begin anew to dream a dream for all of us.

[GOP_1900AD]

I was born in ‘62 and according dot.gov a Boomer and according to the above article a Joneser. I was a latch key kid. Thankfully my folks did not divorce but came very close to it. I played video games as a teen. I had access PCs from late high school on. Etc. I also share the characteristics you mention. I was into punk and wave (still am actually!) and for me, the whole 1960s/70s long haired acid / hard rock thing was more of a case of emulating the “big kids” until something I really connected with came along.

[Tired of Taxes]

I don't know what you mean by that, the boomers came out of the chute in 1972 voting for Nixon.

Ansel12, you are correct. Every early boomer I know has left-leaning views and isn't afraid to share them. But, maybe they don't represent the majority, so I checked what you wrote. And, according to this National Exit Polls Table (scroll down to "Age") which was provided by BigMonkey, the majority of early boomers did vote Republican in '72.

I'm copying to EvilC to correct my post to EvilC.

Also, I think you made a great point in #54 about the boomers being given a bad rap:

You will find that Hendrix, John McCain, Jane Fonda, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, William Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn, Joan Baez, Rod Stewart, Yoko Ono, Peter Paul & Mary, the Chicago Seven and almost everyone like them are from pre boomer generations.

I remember having a similar conversation here before - it probably was with you - about the people most vocal during the sixties being born in the "silent generation". I guess not all of them were silent. ;-) Ironically, according to the polls table linked above, most of the "silents" were voting Republican consistently until '92.

I went through that "Age" category and compared votes by "generation". It looks like the silents lean Republican; the boomers and jonesers vote very much the same and are swing voters; and the Xers lean Democrat with the exception of 2004. But, as BigMonkey pointed out, voting today among the youngest group is overwhelmingly Democrat. :-(

[Big_Monkey]

"I have officially designated those born between 1956 and 1963, Generation Murgatroyd.

I have always wondered how to spell "Murgatroyd". Now I know.

[Ghengis]

I have always wondered how to spell "Murgatroyd". Now I know.

Yet another gift of Generation Murgatroyd to the world. I will have to compile a list soon.