Baby boomers not all alike

Sun News/ Myrtlebeachonline ^ | 7/11/04 | Jeffrey Zaslow

[qam1]

1946, 1964 classes don't always agree........

There's a great distance between Barry Manilow and Barry Bonds.

Manilow, the singer, was born in 1946, the first year of the postwar baby boom. About 76 million births later, Bonds, the baseball slugger, became one of America's last boomers. That was in 1964, when demographers say the boom ended.

Typically, those born within that period are lumped together as the "baby boom generation," as if their values, beliefs and habits are unified. In fact, as the "late-wave boomers" turn 40 this year, it's clear that the classes of 1946 and 1964 are often very different, at times resulting in alienation and even finger-pointing.

John Dieffenbach, a 40-year-old attorney in Pleasantville, N.Y., says many of the oldest boomers are "a self-aggrandizing" bunch who treat him like an auxiliary member of their generation. "I'm part of their club but don't get the benefits." He doesn't get the "benefit" of nostalgia - being able to say he recalls when Kennedy was shot or the Beatles arrived in America. And people his age might not receive full Social Security benefits when they retire because the oldest boomers may strain the system.

The oldest boomers came of age at a time of affordable housing, easier acceptance to colleges and better job markets. The youngest boomers struggled through deeper recessions, crowded workplaces and, now, outsourced jobs.

Younger boomers also worry that in the next decade or so, their 401(k) values will fall as retired older boomers cash out of stocks.

"I share very little culturally with a 58-year-old," Dieffenbach says. In 1986, when the media declared "Boomer Generation Turns 40," he was just 22. In 1996, when newspaper articles celebrated "Boomers Turn 50" - counting the candles on their cakes (400,000 a day) and the cash spent on their birthday presents ($1 billion that year) - Dieffenbach was just 32.

"I'm waiting for the 'Baby Boomers are Dead' stories," he says, only half-jokingly.

This month, a new book, "Kill Your Idols," features essays in which rock critics who are young boomers and Generation Xers tear down allegedly classic boomer albums such as "Tommy" by The Who, released in 1969, and "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys, out in 1966.

"I grew up with the notion that I missed out on the greatest party ever because I wasn't at Woodstock," says the book's co-editor, Jim DeRogatis, born in 1964. "Well, I've seen the movie, and it's a stone-cold bore."

In his essay, DeRogatis slices up The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." He mocks one of the 1967 album's songs, "Fixing a Hole," which he says embodies the myopia and self-centeredness of older boomers: "It really doesn't matter/If I'm wrong I'm right/Where I belong I'm right."

The song reminds DeRogatis of two boomers born in 1946: Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. In his autobiography, "Clinton takes 957 pages to say he really didn't do anything wrong," DeRogatis says, while President Bush "still won't say he was wrong" about Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction.

Dennis Peterson and his daughter, Dee Ann Haibeck, are boomer bookends, born Jan. 1, 1946, and Oct. 28, 1964. Peterson of Bellevue, Wash., says people from his era "opened the door for a lot of discussions America hadn't been having" - about such divisive matters as race, women's rights, the Vietnam War. He says those of his daughter's era "didn't have the testosterone to get involved in social issues. I don't think they had our sense of responsibility."

Haibeck feels some of her dad's hippie contemporaries "changed our culture for the worse" by making society too liberal.

Dieffenbach has a suspicion about why he and others born in the early 1960s are counted in the boomer generation. As the oldest boomers continue to lobby for power and their legacy, they think there's strength in numbers, he says. "They're just using us to increase their volume.'

[CyberCowboy777]

Of course your right, but my math was fine.

I used the wrong voting age in my first calculation.

1946 plus 18 = 1964

I do wonder why you would assume I could not do "very basic" and make the correction in such a manner? Do you just like to demean others?

Heck, I was agreeing with you.

[Gotterdammerung]

I was born in 1947 and I am quite disgusted with my generation. I don't share any of their 'values' at all. And I wasn't at Woodstock. I'm a Vietnam vet. We raised four responsible adults who don't reflect the inflated ego's of most of their generation either. - By the Grace of God.

[qam1]

Lets see, Alan Turing did his work in the 30's, stored program computers and the transistor were invented in the 40's, and the IC and the basics of computer science were invented in the 50's. The 60's saw large scale transistorization, the fundamental theory of packet switching, and the invention of hypertext, the 70's the invention of the microprocessor and arpanet,and the 80's the Internet and the widespread availability of personal computers. In the 90's it all came together and GenXers started writing web pages. Ergo, GenXers singlehandedly ushered in the Information Age. NOT.

Of course we didn't do it singlehandedly, Just like Henry Ford didn't usher in the automotive age singlehandedly. However like Henry Ford we are the ones who brought computers into the mainstream, If it weren't for us computers would still be only found in University basements.

Given the number of dot-com companies that collapsed, I think all they should really take credit for is the invention of "vaporware" and the worlds largest reservoir of hubris.

Given the number of airplane companies that went out of business early on, I guess by your logic the Wright Brothers were failures.

Again 100 years from now, What do you think future generations are going to think the Baby Boomers legacy is?

[beef]

"Fueled by boomer capital."


And built on boomer technology.

[exhaustedmomma]

"Fueled by boomer capital."

And sucked away by boomer taxation.

[BabsC]

I'm still trying to figured out what happened in 1913.

The fifteenth amendment was ratified in 1870, assuring the right of all citizens to vote no matter their color, race or previous condition of servitude.

For forty three years things moved along just fine (I guess) then BAM! two amendments, back to back, in one year that basically nullified all the individual liberties guaranteed by the rest of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

We got hit with the 16th in February 1913, which removed individual privacy then in April 1913 we got the 17th that removed legal representation for the States. (How else end up with someone like Hillary as a Senator?)

[BabsC]

I was born in 1955 but my Dad was career military so I was a bit more in tuned with the difference between Washington politics and campus politics.

Dad served in Korea and did two tours in Vietnam(real tours, 12 months for the first 16 months for the second), I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in '64, got sent to the principal in '63 when I was the first in my school to know the President was dead and shot my mouth off, stood still with the rest of the world when we walked on the moon in '69, etc etc.

But all that aside, I know what you mean. I've worked at something since I was 12 to make my own money outside the home. I was pretty disgusted with the peace/love/dove bunch myself. They preached tearing down the establishment but had nothing to offer in its place and they were the ones that dishonored our soldiers when they returned from a war in which they won every battle but were forced to desert their allies.

I'm a Daddy's girl at heart and no one disses Daddy.

[beef]

"However like Henry Ford we are the ones who brought computers into the mainstream"

Yes, the Model T of computers. The Apple II. 1977.

"If it weren't for us computers would still be only found in University basements."

I had one in my dorm room in 1976. I was on the 6th floor.

"Given the number of airplane companies that went out of business early on, I guess by your logic the Wright Brothers were failures."

They did something that was actually new. Also, when they went out of business, the NASDAQ didn't drop 3000 points and plunge the country into a recession.

"Again 100 years from now, What do you think future generations are going to think the Baby Boomers legacy is?"

Well it's hard to say, since we're not even close to done yet. As boomers have taken control of our institutions, we have managed (among other things) to avoid inflation and gas lines, successfully deregulate numerous industries, keep unemployment low, outlast the Soviet Union (a big plus for the GenXers), establish record rates of home ownership, and invent the World Wide Web.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-Lee

[Mo1]

Is this still going on????

THUD THUD THUD

What's that noise???

OH .. It's me banging my head on the keyboard

[cyncooper]

I was late to reading it and starting posting after most had gone. It's more or less dead--save your head (hey, that rhymed!).

[Mo1]

LOL!

[nmh]

LOL!

Read what you write and how you write it.

It's as clear as the nose on your face.

Don't fret. I could care less. Just pointing it out to you.

[Mo1]

GO GRAMMIE GO!!!


WOHOOOO ... you done good!!!

[superloser]

Because ALMOST WITHOUT FAIL, the generation that you're in, is still living off of their parents in some way. Either they're living at home or their parents have bought them their homes.

Don't leave those of us out in Gen-X who *bought* our parents their home, made our own way, and are quite content with that.

[Fraulein]

There is NO WAY I would've said that about my grandparents OR parents.

Unlike previous generations, many Gen Xers do not share any great sense of connection or loyalty to the Boomers. It'll be hard for the aging boomers as a group to demand what it is that at least half of their children have not already been given in turn.

Many boomers (not all) NEVER grew up, and never learned that there were needs other than their own, even those of their own children. The whole world is only there to serve their own sense of self-worth and validation. Anything else, be damned! They tend to be selfish, absent, self-absorbed, me, me, me, with no sense of responsibility, and a general incapacity to ever admit doing anything wrong. Far too many of the boomers failed as parents, which is why today so many Gen Xers believe that they succeeded in SPITE of their parents, and not because of them.

Me, personally, I just can't wait until all the boomers start retiring from academia and the universities. The boomers have succeeded in ruining them.

[beef]

"And sucked away by boomer taxation."

Well, we just need to keep those boomers out of the white house.

[beef]

"Many boomers (not all) NEVER grew up, and never learned that there were needs other than their own, even those of their own children. The whole world is only there to serve their own sense of self-worth and validation. Anything else, be damned! They tend to be selfish, absent, self-absorbed, me, me, me, with no sense of responsibility, and a general incapacity to ever admit doing anything wrong. Far too many of the boomers failed as parents, which is why today so many Gen Xers believe that they succeeded in SPITE of their parents, and not because of them."

I can't help but see the parallels between this and what Boomers had to say about their parents. It seems like it's the solenm duty of each generation to rebel against the one before. The Generation Gap is alive and well.

[Warren_Piece]

Keep in mind, for many of us older Xers, boomers were not our parents (that title belongs to the Silent Generation), but our Generational Older Siblings. So our gripes cannot be boiled down to youthful rebellion against our parents. Heck, I turn 40 in a couple of weeks, there's nothing 'youthful' about me.

[qam1]

Yes, the Model T of computers. The Apple II. 1977.

Hardly, It was more like the Duryea. The Model "T" of computers was the Commadore 64. And we actually went on to do something with them while you boomers just used them to play Pong.

"Given the number of airplane companies that went out of business early on, I guess by your logic the Wright Brothers were failures."

They did something that was actually new. Also, when they went out of business, the NASDAQ didn't drop 3000 points and plunge the country into a recession.

Ummm, did you ever hear of the Great Depression

"Again 100 years from now, What do you think future generations are going to think the Baby Boomers legacy is?"

Well it's hard to say, since we're not even close to done yet.

Yes I know, Which is scary. I really look forward to all the new wonderful social programs and health/saftely laws still to come from you guys. I personally can't wait until the "Should Viagra be added to the prescription drug benefit" debates.

As boomers have taken control of our institutions, we have managed (among other things) to avoid inflation

umm. Late 1970's

and gas lines,

For now, How many new gas refineraries and nuclear power plants have been opened since you've taken power?

successfully deregulate numerous industries,

Yeah name one, "Capitalism" is not the 1st word anybody thinks of when they think of boomers

keep unemployment low,

By increasing the size of government at all levels

outlast the Soviet Union (a big plus for the GenXers),

HUH? We outlasted the Soviets too, As well as the WWII and Silent and Ys?

It was because of Reagan not because the Baby Boomers who if many had their way we would have unilaterally disarmed.

establish record rates of home ownership,

Wow! The largest generation had the largest homeownership!! Who would have thunk it.

Then you turned around and increased property taxes to fund your Boomer programs and now you are pushing age restricted housing.

and invent the World Wide Web.

Again if it wasn't for us, You would be just talking to some kid on his 6th floor dorm.

Sorry but in the future, When people think of the baby boomers they will think of the following, Your generational legacy before they think of any of the above

Activist Judges, Junk Science, Tune in, Turn on and drop out, Health/Safety Nazis, RINOS, Destruction of the Nuclear Family, Destruction of the Black Extended family, Frivolous lawsuits, The Constitution as a living document, The Welfare State, The Nanny State, If it feels good do it, Smoking bans in bars and restaurants, The Liberal Media elite, The founding fathers were nothing more than evil slave owners, Sound bites over substance or facts, It’s for the Children, Abortion on demand, NIMBY, The Clintons, Seatbelt laws, Feminism, Tree Huggers, Criminals that have more rights than the victim, Taking time off to find your self, Meathead, Blame America First, Latch key kids, Kids being raised by their grandparents and/or strangers, Disco, Helmet laws for Motorcycles, Helmet laws for freaking Bicycles, Cradle to grave entitlements, War on Fat, Me, Me, ME, 21 year old drinking age, Yuppies, Careers over your children, Limousine Liberals, Keeping up with the Joneses, Hatred of the Military, Time Out discipline, Reporters who think they are not only part of but bigger than the story they are covering, Focus groups, Weekend dads, Single moms, Prisoner rights groups, Prozac, Ritilin, Viagra, ½ our income going for taxes, America owes me, Living past failed dreams through your children, Even though the WWII generation saved the world from fascism and tyranny they are still uneducated simpletons, Cocktail Parties with the likes of Mike Bloomberg, Turning an educational system that once was the best in the world to S!@, The 2nd Amendment doesn't mean the Right to bear arms, Do as I say not as I do, Peacekeepers instead of soldiers, Vietnam syndrome, The weakening of the CIA, Power Couples, Soccer Moms, NPR, Eradication of Dodge Ball, Prescription drug benefit, It's all society's fault type excuses and made up syndromes instead of personal responsibility, and so many more but I will close with.

An Obscene and still growing national debt that WE the future generations will have to pay off.

[beef]

"Hardly, It was more like the Duryea. The Model "T" of computers was the Commadore 64. And we actually went on to do something with them while you boomers just used them to play Pong."

The Mark-8 would have been the Duryea. Apple IIs were useful and you could fix one yourself, an important characteristic of a model T. In any event, your 64 was designed by boomers, too. While you were "doing something" with it, we were developing the next generation of computers, polishing internet protocols, and building the communication infrastructure to make the Web possible.

"Ummm, did you ever hear of the Great Depression"

Was that our fault, too?

"As boomers have taken control of our institutions, we have managed (among other things) to avoid inflation

umm. Late 1970's "

Get your facts straight. Mortgage rate were 14% in 1982. I was there, OK?

Look, you are all over the place on the rest of it. I will admit I never knew that stay at home soccer moms were evil. What do you want them to do, get jobs and put their careers before their children? No, wait, that makes latch-key kids!
I do want to say that when the web was born, the GenXers were at best midwives in training who happened to catch the baby when it popped out and, strangely enough, now seem to think that they made it.

As you grow up, you will realize, like we did, that you are not quite as smart as you thought you were.