Talk:Generation X

Copyvio

I've removed the "Comments by Generation X Writers" section, as it simply mirrored text from an article in The Independent, and thus a copyright infringement. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 13:38, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

MTV Gerantion?

I do not think that people born during the time MTV first aired would be in the MTV generation. Actually if I recall that was a slang used to describe teens that were watching MTV when it first came on. Also, becasue of that, Pepsi tried to coin the Pepsi Generation thing. No The MTV Generation was created by the media and should be removed.

What happened to 1974?

I couldn't help but notice that in the generation succession at the end of the article, 1974 is omitted! I probably wouldn't have noticed, except that's the year I was born (lol). I have always considered myself a Gen X-er even though the beginings/ends of generations are definitely blurry (when does the "Baby Boomer" generation really end and when does "Generation Y" really begin?). From what I have learned, '74 is far to young to be a Baby Boomer, yet far too old to be Gen Y. Who really knows what the generation "boundaries" are anyway? There probably isn't a strict boundary really. They seem to phase from one to the next over the course of several (three? five? seven?) years. And then there's all the "sub-generations" (MTV Generation, etc) filling in the "gaps" maybe? I've always been taught that I'm either middle or late Gen X. Anyway, just wanted to bring up the 1974 omission. No big deal really, just something interesting to think about... J —Preceding unsigned comment added by Wikicali00 (talk • contribs) 03:22, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

Generation X is the shadow of the Baby Boom

First came the "Boomers," those who benefitted from the post-war (World War II) economic boom. Author Douglas Coupland describes, as best as I can recall, Genertion X as those who came after the Boomers — those born in the shadow of the baby boom generation. I think the usual mistake made in defining generations is that a line is drawn at the beginning and end of a birth bell curve. From an economic impact perspective, the real impact occurs when a generation enters the workforce at age 18.

In other words, if we accept that Boomers enjoyed the fruits of the post-World War II economic boom (cheap higher education, affordable housing, and abundant quality jobs) then we're really talking about those born between 1945 and 1954, with those on the leading eddge of the curve (1945-1950) enjoying the greatest advantage. I would propose that Generation X (those born in the shadown of the Boomers who struggled with skyrocketing education costs, unaffordable housing and "McJobs") really belong to the 1955-1964 cycle. It's interesting that Coupland characterizes Gen-X as those born after 1963 when he, himself, was born in 1961. So he is really right in the center of my proposed definition of Gen-X.

When the media talks about Boomers, they are usually characterized as those who were teenagers in the 1960s; with the free love movement, Vietnam War, a particular style of "rock" music probably best associated with the Beatles, and a major social rebellion in the acceptance of casual drug use. Having been born in late 1956 (almost 1957) I have nothing in common with the Boomer generation. I had to register for the draft, but we had pretty much pulled out of Vietnam by 1974 when I turned 18. Most of my "teen" years were in the early 1970s, so the Beatles are about as foreign to my "teenage soundtrack" experience as, say, Bing Crosby. The cost of a college education was just starting to escalate out of proportoin to its ROI when I graduated in 1979. By then, I could not afford to buy a house on one income, as the Boomer's generation had done. And I had to settle for inferior jobs because the Boomers got to the good jobs first. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Paulboswell (talk • contribs) 22:02, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Actually, Coupland originally considered "Xers" to be those born in the late 50's and 1960's. The 1956 to 1965 cohort is sometimes referred to as "Generation Jones". I agree, a bell-shaped curve has nothing to do with peer personality. Furthermore, I asked the Census Bureau in an email 3 times to define exactly what constitutes the Boom, with no reply. As Strauss and Howe pointed out, birth rates began to rise in in the early forties. You have valid points, but for all the problems you had, it was much worse for those after you. College costs only started to rise in 1979, and you still had much better job opportunities and much less unemployment than those born in the early 60's. Ledboots 20:49, 7 September 2007 (UTC)

Generation X was and is the "Antidote" to the Boomers. We exist to remind them that their time is over and ideals failed or at least was not based in truisms or morality but humanism. We were those children that resulted or were the little brothers and sisters of those who were Boomers. We inherited the sexual revolution with "Safe Sex" montra's, Condoms and Anti-Drug campaigns. Instead of Tie die we had the "Izod" and breakdancing. It is best to think of anyone born after the Kennedy asassination and to the Regan revolution as Generation "X". In reality we are the most education generation and saw the major world change and the rise of the internet. Be glad' if you know Footloose, ET, Star Wars, Jaws and the first walkman you are an "X"er. Our desire for relationships, authenticity and upward mobility is a unique mix. Martin Cline —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.19.99.40 (talk) 19:57, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

Well, Gen-Y is the REAL Internet generation...Gen-X was more like the video-game arcade generation. As for "Star Wars", more than one gen can claim title to knowing that because George Lucas felt like making prequels and re-runs. I'll concur on the Walkman, Footloose, and ET, though. As I was born in 1979 I kinda consider my generation to be the "Back to the Future" generation - the ones who grew up with that time-travel flick. 204.52.215.107 (talk) 07:50, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

Yes that is true but you must see that Drew Barrymore and Barak Obama are all X-ers, so it is just a reality of scope and demographic context. It is bit big. Your movie reference may be eluding to generation Jones' which in fact are the oldest of our group they actually were teens in the very late seventies and early eighties. So Tom Cruise and as you mentioned Micheal J Fox would be in that lot. But the core are in their mid to late 30's now, so when I speak of movies and historical markers those of us who actually in Junior High or Highschool when Ferris Bueller, Breakfast Club or Top gun were out are just claiming that we were the Regan kids-genration. M-TV began in the summer of 81 and home computers began being intergrated into homes and schools in this time. Companies like Google and Facebook were created byt this generation. Yes some played pong, some played Donkey Kong, Pac Man and even Doom. So some will vary on an end point but mainly the age range in 28-47. Anyone under 28 is in no way a X-er. So You are right when you say that you were a youth but you were just in the tale end of the X. Gen Y are 27 years old to 13. Millenials are 12 and under. martin —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.19.99.40 (talk) 00:11, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

America, America, America, me, me, me

This article drones on about America and puts everything in a US perspective. Generation X is a global theory. I'm gen X and do not have any post 9/11 fears or over protective parenting habits - get over it and stop being so US centric. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.231.146.140 (talk) 12:51, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

This is the Wikipedia. Pretty much every article could be summed up by your phrase "America, America, America, me, me, me". 80.254.147.52 16:28, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

well, blokes and chaps, this kinda started in America to begin with, so of course it's america america me me me....204.52.215.107 (talk) 07:52, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

Because this is en.wikipedia, if you are an Xer from an English-speaking country other than America, feel free to add your own section! Ledboots 13:55, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

Exactly. I would love to hear your thoughts. For example, I have added a few "Famous Gen Xers", but they are all Americans. Who else could we contribute, particularly from other countries? Thanks in advance.--Cbradshaw (talk) 21:13, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

YOU' both are VERY right, it actually is a context of demograhic realities that was reported on in several other countries before the US picked up on it. Canada, Europe and some of Asia I believe....but people are forgetting that there is always some lag years between generations. So some need to realize generation Jones...(look it up)! Are just those whom are often forgotten they usually are split up into either Boomers or X-ers becuase they were the kids of the very late seventies into about 80'. Nevertheless it is easiest to make the distinction after Kennedy to Regan or to the fall of the Cold war? This is not rocket science and anyway the Millenials 12-under are already being marketed to so this is not a very eath changing discussion it is just about historical markers and demographics. I could tell the shift when freinds went of the air (thank God) even though the actors are all my age Jennifer Anniston looks great for 38..almost 39. We have grown up now and have been for about ten years people need to move one. And oh yes please let churches home and youth groups know that Gen x-ers are all well over 25 years of age now. In fact Gen Y is already entered college..hello'. martin —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.19.99.40 (talk) 00:20, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Generationxpic.jpg

Image:Generationxpic.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot 09:41, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

Silent Generation

Pulling from an article I read by Robbin Kirkland and Olivia Sheehan from the Centers for Osteopathic Research & Education, I would like to see more discussion on the Silent Generation. This birth cohort was born between 1925-1942. They generally had large families and considered it natural. They married early and lived during the great depression. About 95% of them are now retired. Kirkchenry (talk) 03:27, 27 November 2007 (UTC).

I do realize that this is an article about Generation X. However, I have not been able to find a higher level article about Birth Cohorts or Generations. If anybody can provide me guidance on that issue it would be appreciated. Also, there is the GI or WWI generation and the Millennial Generation. Although I haven't searched for all of these, I have not really found the right information. Kirkchenry (talk) 03:32, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

what am i

im born in 1977 growing up i always thought of myself as generation x wore alot of flannel shirts from round about 92-97 lol, according to this article i am but if you look at the gen y it says people born as early as 1975 are gen y,i dont know what i am anymore,i dont know all the in and outs about generation things but all i know is i was a kid in the 80's a teenager in the early and mid 90's, so what am i i always though anyone born 1965 -1981 was gen x than i guess anyone born from 1982 to 1998 gen y or sometimes it seems like gen y is trying to make itself to big by tryin to include people born in the 70's and gen xers trying to make there generation to exclusive by trying to eliminate those born in 80,or 81,--Mikmik2953 22:36, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

I was born in 1979. My brother came about at the tail end of 1983. Let's take a look at our childhoods: Inspector Gadget, Nintendo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, He-Man and She-Ra, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union, PCs improving from the likes of the Apple II (and, in the high school I visited as a kid, TRS-80s where one could learn programming in BASIC) to IBM PS/2s to Gateways and Dells, the emergence of the Internet (first, America Online; later, Netscape Navigator by my early adulthood), a swimming pool in the backyard, various leftover toys and books from the 1970s mixed in with ones from the 80s and 90s, and library books (I was a little late to the Internet, believe it or not - but then again, I was also late to take the wheel of the car). My brother was, at least for a few years, more computer savvy than I was. But I like Internet culture and anime and I wonder whether I'm really an X-er or Y-er at heart. 204.52.215.107 (talk) 07:43, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

To the previous bloggers'....77 and 79' you are both x's sorry. Although I and others may be able to make a case for the 79 being a Y'. First to speak to the 1977 person. The 77' blogger is an easy one because you are already 30's sorry no resercher will claim someone already 30 is a Y'. You may be just feeling your age but you actually are the best age now dont feel bad about that, it is a better demographic. If you have some concept of saturday morning TV and Night rider....you are an X-er even though you were in elementary when I was in Highschool. MY nephew was born in 76 and he loves to talk about the old school days of the 90's. I have nieces born in 78 and they would consider themselves x-ers maybe younger but can remember care bears, cabbage patch and the like plus they can sing some of the 80' tunes. They graduated the year of clueless and even Alicia silverstone is 30 so you are in my research a X-er. Although you are RIGHT- you do have more in common with Y so you could be the first Y's and to some researchers you may be. But in my study and memory, 81 is the best cut off. But you are right in that you can claim or go either way (X/Y) in this discussion. I would say X to be safe because you are still in the seventies and so politically you were born under a set of circumstances that maybe you were not aware of but still defines you and your parents. You really are just the babies of the X. So you get to choose but I still say X manly becuase you knew a less technical time then your sibling that means you have shown your age.' Just think 62-82 and that is the most liberal set of years in this silly discussuion, actually a generation is only really about 14 years or so. Many books would say 64-78....are the only true X-ers, even 66-75. In that way Y may on some level apply to that first person. You can easily monitor your context of generation by matching yourself with a current same aged celeb or look at the president during your teen years this is the easiest way to tell. Others will be able to tell you as well even when you cannot not decide. But I say include those till 1981 because the political change that happened after that, in the 80's is not often desputed. good luck...martin

"Famous People"

Why is "Dakota Fanning" who was born in _1994_ included in this section of this article (which is clearly about the generation born 1960s to early 80's)? This must have been a joke? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.201.127.64 (talk) 16:36, 3 December 2007 (UTC)

This section gave me a good laugh. What is the point of this section? There are thousands of famous Gen-Xers. Why not list them all? Name your favorite famous person born between 1965 and 1980? Very encyclopedic. Lets just list the entire 2007 New York Yankees Team. And the 2001 Dallas Cowboys. Ok, Ok, lets add the 2005 Vancouver Canucks. NationalPark (talk) 19:43, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your comments. You have a point. What guidelines do you suggest for evaluating truly noteworthy Gen Xers? --Cbradshaw (talk) 23:19, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

I took some time to organize the "nominations" for famous people. I doubt that we need more in the Arts area (they're mostly Americans anyway, who could we put in from other countries?) How about suggestions for sports, politics, and Technology?--Cbradshaw (talk) 00:03, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

succession box

The years used in the succession boxes before I just changed them were certainly not years that are commonly used. First of all, Strauss and Howe are just two of many generations experts; many experts disagree with their generational birth years, and further, the years used in those succession boxes didn't even accurately reflect Strauss and Howe's proposed birth years. Secondly, I can't imagine where those birth years could have come from (I've never seen anyone start GenX as early as the 1950's, I've never seen anyone use 1955-1962 for GenJones, etc.) Coupland never said that GenX started in 1958, he said, in fact, that GenX was a mindset, not a chronological span of years. Generation Jones is not a cusp generation; it is actaully the largest generation in U.S. history. Of the many hundreds of articles, and discussions in books, about Generation Jones, I've never seen it called a cusp generation--instead it is commonly now automaticaly included as a bona fide generation. C'mon...for Wikipedia to work, we all need to focus on accuracy, and the birth years in the succession box now reflect the emerging concensus most commonly used for these three generations. 21st century Susan (talk) 00:09, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

I believe you are incorrect on a number of accounts: First of all, Although Coupland later said Generation X was a mindset, He did say in early 1992, as noted in this article, that they were 20-33 years old. Also, the inside flap of the book states the it is for the “generation born in the late 1950s and 1960s”. His original viewpoint has been distorted by media and marketers soon after it was published. Second, you are basing your whole premise on Generation X with your supposition that there exists a Generation Jones, while, like Strauss and Howe, many so called generation experts disagree with pollster Jonathan Pontell. Third, you are emphasizing a focus on accuracy. I’m not sure that there ever will be a unified consensus, or any “official” definition of any of these cohorts. And besides, can you back up your point that these succession boxes now reflect a common consensus? Who performed such a study? And also, you are decrying accuracy, yet you didn't include the correct years for Generation Jones: 1954-1965 (which I did). Succession boxes are a bad idea and should be removed, as they will constantly be edited. This article is meant to show the many points of view people have, and can’t possibly be summed up in one box. That’s why previous box at least attempted to reflect varying points of view. Ledboots (talk) 14:37, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Generationzxthgde.jpg

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BetacommandBot (talk) 21:52, 2 January 2008 (UTC)