Gen-X Attitudes And the Results

Hazelelponi · Mar 12, 2023

I was reading an article on UpWorthy this morning which got me to thinking specifically about my generation - Gen X - and our general political attitudes of that day (the 90's generally) and how it's affecting our society and culture today.

One of the points the article made about my generation is:

Deep inside the heart of almost every Gen Xer is a deep-seated feeling of nihilism. We didn’t trust the corporations that laid off our parents or gutted their pensions in the ’80s. In fact, everything corporate was predatory. We didn’t have a lot of faith in family values because we were the first generation raised by single parents or in daycare. We didn’t care much about politics either. Back in the ’90s, Gen X’s aversion to politics was historic.

Outside link: Five Gen X values from the ’90s that can save today’s world

I agree when the article says that Gen X's aversion to politics was historic. I personally was one of those people who didn't give a lot of thought to politics, though I voted. I was more just "into" real life - the day to day of it - and I was happy not giving much thought to politics in general. I never understood why it was important as it all seemed to be about grandstanding and fame, and I saw our political situation as being a settled matter via the constitution in general, so I like many others ignored it.

It was a little like being in a dream, it was a great little dream - life was good here in America and we were "over" many of the issues of my parents day and we were ready to move forward in our better day, as a fully united America living out our values.

It was also a dream I woke up from, because while I was "checked out" others had been busy trying to undo everything that had been built by former generations.

While I think my generation had some very positive attitudes (happily not buying into the corporate influences around us) I have come to believe that we are in the situation we are right now (a divided America full of hate for neighbor spiralling at an insane pace towards a fascist state) exactly because my generation had literally checked out of politics.

My generation, in my current opinion, left a power vacuum that got filled with all things negative.

Certainly, I am right-wing politically so my view will be different than others but I do wonder what other people's views are considering whether others think Gen X left a power vacuum of sorts, by checking out of politics.

Discuss?

essentialsaltes · Mar 12, 2023

Hazelelponi said:
My generation, in my current opinion, left a power vacuum that got filled with all things negative.

I don't think there's a power vacuum. Because the reins of power are still being held by the Boomers. And I really don't think the divisiveness of current politics is the fault of Gen-X. The problem is not that people don't (or didn't) care enough.

It may be because Gen-X was too busy slacking, or it may be because the Boomers are still eager to be the 'Me Generation' and demand center stage, but it's certainly shaping up to be another Trump/Biden battle in 2024, despite the fact that both are past their sell-by date.

Despite Gen-X being prime age to be president or senators or other movers and shakers in government, our power in Congress is pretty small. And the younger generations are moving in.

So it's looking like Gen-X will once again be largely skipped over and ignored. (And yes, potentially some of that is our own fault.)

Whatever. Nevermind.

Robban · Mar 13, 2023

Hazelelponi said:
I was reading an article on UpWorthy this morning which got me to thinking specifically about my generation - Gen X - and our general political attitudes of that day (the 90's generally) and how it's affecting our society and culture today.

One of the points the article made about my generation is:

Outside link: Five Gen X values from the ’90s that can save today’s world

I agree when the article says that Gen X's aversion to politics was historic. I personally was one of those people who didn't give a lot of thought to politics, though I voted. I was more just "into" real life - the day to day of it - and I was happy not giving much thought to politics in general. I never understood why it was important as it all seemed to be about grandstanding and fame, and I saw our political situation as being a settled matter via the constitution in general, so I like many others ignored it.

It was a little like being in a dream, it was a great little dream - life was good here in America and we were "over" many of the issues of my parents day and we were ready to move forward in our better day, as a fully united America living out our values.

It was also a dream I woke up from, because while I was "checked out" others had been busy trying to undo everything that had been built by former generations.

While I think my generation had some very positive attitudes (happily not buying into the corporate influences around us) I have come to believe that we are in the situation we are right now (a divided America full of hate for neighbor spiralling at an insane pace towards a fascist state) exactly because my generation had literally checked out of politics.

My generation, in my current opinion, left a power vacuum that got filled with all things negative.

Certainly, I am right-wing politically so my view will be different than others but I do wonder what other people's views are considering whether others think Gen X left a power vacuum of sorts, by checking out of politics.

Discuss?

"The faults of a generation rests with it's heads and leaders."

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch.

"Be careful with the Government, for they befriend a person only for their own needs.
They appear to be friends when it is beneficial to them.

But they do not stand by a person at the time of his distress."

Ethics of the Fathers 2:3

Why I give politics a wide berth.

Hazelelponi · Mar 13, 2023

Robban said:
"The faults of a generation rests with it's heads and leaders."

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch.

"Be careful with the Government, for they befriend a person only for their own needs.
They appear to be friends when it is beneficial to them.

But they do not stand by a person at the time of his distress."

Ethics of the Fathers 2:3

Why I give politics a wide berth.

Thank you for the quote... something to memorize really.

jayem · Mar 13, 2023

Hazelelponi said:
I have come to believe that we are in the situation we are right now (a divided America full of hate for neighbor spiralling at an insane pace towards a fascist state) exactly because my generation had literally checked out of politics.

My generation, in my current opinion, left a power vacuum that got filled with all things negative.

I'm a Boomer. But I don't blame your Gen-X cohorts for the uber-divisive ugliness of current American society. The lion's share of blame goes to the internet. Which can be a tremendous resource for learning. But it's also an unregulated cesspool of deceitful, inaccurate, misleading, prejudicial, and outright fabricated information. Lies abound in the cybersphere. I'm starting to think that the bad actors who create this mind-rot want us to be at each other's throat. Compromise becomes impossible. And all we're left with is discord, conflict, and hostility.

FireDragon76 · Mar 22, 2023

Hazelelponi said:
I was reading an article on UpWorthy this morning which got me to thinking specifically about my generation - Gen X - and our general political attitudes of that day (the 90's generally) and how it's affecting our society and culture today.

One of the points the article made about my generation is:

Outside link: Five Gen X values from the ’90s that can save today’s world

I agree when the article says that Gen X's aversion to politics was historic. I personally was one of those people who didn't give a lot of thought to politics, though I voted. I was more just "into" real life - the day to day of it - and I was happy not giving much thought to politics in general. I never understood why it was important as it all seemed to be about grandstanding and fame, and I saw our political situation as being a settled matter via the constitution in general, so I like many others ignored it.

It was a little like being in a dream, it was a great little dream - life was good here in America and we were "over" many of the issues of my parents day and we were ready to move forward in our better day, as a fully united America living out our values.

It was also a dream I woke up from, because while I was "checked out" others had been busy trying to undo everything that had been built by former generations.

While I think my generation had some very positive attitudes (happily not buying into the corporate influences around us) I have come to believe that we are in the situation we are right now (a divided America full of hate for neighbor spiralling at an insane pace towards a fascist state) exactly because my generation had literally checked out of politics.

My generation, in my current opinion, left a power vacuum that got filled with all things negative.

Certainly, I am right-wing politically so my view will be different than others but I do wonder what other people's views are considering whether others think Gen X left a power vacuum of sorts, by checking out of politics.

Discuss?

We are overshadowed by Boomers and Millenials.

I do think "nihilism" is apt, though I don't personally share that sentiment. Gen-X inherited alot of the Boomers attitudes that were already there, such as increasing cultural and political disengagement and narcissism. Decline in participation in institutions in the US started happening in the 70's, before Gen-X were adults.

I disagree that Gen-X didn't "buy into" corporate attitudes. Gen-X were just as much consumerists. They may have been more cynical about it, but they weren't seriously challenging it, either. It goes back to that nihilism and apathy. This was the first generation to talk about "depression" alot, and take new psychiatric drugs pushed by pharmaceutical companies in large numbers.

FireDragon76 · Mar 22, 2023

The last few generations have basically been the same values, just more intensified. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a shift in American values in the next 10-20 years, however, as America's global power continues to decline, while domestic income inequality continues to rise at home.

It's possible institutional decline may stabilize or even reverse, as a result of people being unable to buy into the material prosperity, consumerism, and the resultant individualism that fuelled the post-WWII generations. For instance, in the last 4 years or so, participation in Mainline Protestant churches has begun to slowly increase, but it's too early to tell if this is an oddity or an enduring trend in increased participation in traditional American institutional life.

Hazelelponi · Mar 22, 2023

FireDragon76 said:
The last few generations have basically been the same values, just more intensified. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a shift in American values in the next 10-20 years, however, as America's global power continues to decline, while domestic income inequality continues to rise at home.

It's possible institutional decline may stabilize or even reverse, as a result of people being unable to buy into the material prosperity, consumerism, and the resultant individualism that fuelled the post-WWII generations. For instance, in the last 4 years or so, participation in Mainline Protestant churches has begun to slowly increase, but it's too early to tell if this is an oddity or an enduring trend in increased participation in traditional American institutional life.

I have to say the economic and power decline of and in America is something that I would have hoped and prayed would never occur here.

It is due to poor and ineffectual leadership we have had these last few decades - in my opinion.

If America turns into a third world country everything will change for all but a handful. It's what the world wants, but not what most of us desire.

Thanks for your input, nice to hear your thoughts.

FireDragon76 · Mar 22, 2023

Hazelelponi said:
I have to say the economic and power decline of and in America is something that I would have hoped and prayed would never occur here.

It is due to poor and ineffectual leadership we have had these last few decades - in my opinion.

I would put alot of the blame on economic prosperity after WWII, setting unrealistic and unsustainable standards for American economic and social life, and promoting a great deal of decadence. It also didn't help this occurred during the Cold War, when, for ideological reasons, the US government, and society at large, promoted many of these trends.

Hazelelponi said:
If America turns into a third world country everything will change for all but a handful. It's what the world wants, but not what most of us desire.

We won't become a third-world country. Probably somewhere around England and Brazil.

Keep in mind declining economic and geopolitical power doesn't necessarily translate to poorer quality of life. The Japanese quality of life has actually increased in the past three decades, despite having a continually declining economy during that time.

PsaltiChrysostom · Mar 23, 2023

FireDragon76 said:
I would put alot of the blame on economic prosperity after WWII, setting unrealistic and unsustainable standards for American economic and social life, and promoting a great deal of decadence. It also didn't help this occurred during the Cold War, when, for ideological reasons, the US government, and society at large, promoted many of these trends.

Agreed. I'd like to add that while all Americans have been hit by economic turndowns, IMHO, GenX has taken the brunt of these hits at key transitions in our lives. I graduated in 1991 so I'm an older GenXer. But for the bulk of GenX, who graduated in the mid to late 90s, they got hit first by the Internet bubble, then 9/11. Eight years later, just as we were getting our feet grounded, the Great Recession hits. GenX was also in the early stages of raising families in 2007-2010. By 2020, our kids are hitting their late HS and early college years and now we're dealing with Covid. My own daughter boomeranged back into the house 3 times in 3 years.

Boomers on the other hand, ended up having to continue working when their nest eggs collapsed. So where as GenX should have been taking over as a generation, the Boomers couldn't retire. So now, Millennials already have the experience to compete with GenX as a whole now that the Boomers are long past their "expiration date".

Alternatively, we bought our grunge first on vinyl, then cassette, then CD, the MP3, and now we have to stream Nirvana. No wonder why we're mad as heck!!!

Diamond7 · Apr 3, 2023

Hazelelponi said:
It was also a dream I woke up from, because while I was "checked out" others had been busy trying to undo everything that had been built by former generations.

The WW2 Vets had an attitude that they would fight and even die for people to have the right to their opinion if they agreed with that opinion or not. It is not that way now. People want to be entitled to their opinions, but they do not want to extend that to others.

FireDragon76 · Apr 3, 2023

Diamond7 said:
The WW2 Vets had an attitude that they would fight and even die for people to have the right to their opinion if they agreed with that opinion or not. It is not that way now. People want to be entitled to their opinions, but they do not want to extend that to others.

That's propaganda.

Both my grandfathers were in WWII

One was fighting for a winter coat because he was living in the back of a car. His dad left his mom soon after he was born, and they were poor. My other grandfather was drafted.

bèlla · Apr 4, 2023

Politically speaking I'm indifferent. I pay little attention to the things they do and say beyond the fed chair and fellow spectacles related to cryptocurrency. I don't ignore the lies, duplicity or reason for old times sake.

The qualities mentioned in the piece resonate. "They’re described as “self-reliant,” “independent,” “unimpressed with authority” and motivated by “freedom." I broach it less from skepticism and dissent. I see the spade and give more attention to counters than philosophical musings. I never forget its a game and we're playing from different points with varying degrees of awareness.

Unlike some, I don't subscribe to the past was better rhetoric. We're lulled by the drip and slow implosion. It appears worst today because things have reached their full. The seeds were laid long ago and we're seeing the harvest.

If America becomes a third world country that was always the plan. There are few coincidences.

Brazil, China strike trade deal agreement to ditch US dollar
'Petrodollar' at risk as TotalEnergies sells LNG to China in yuan

~bella

Diamond7 · Apr 4, 2023

FireDragon76 said:
That's propaganda.

Why did the propaganda cross the road?

To get to the other side of the story!

jayem · Apr 4, 2023

FireDragon76 said:
I would put alot of the blame on economic prosperity after WWII, setting unrealistic and unsustainable standards for American economic and social life, and promoting a great deal of decadence. It also didn't help this occurred during the Cold War, when, for ideological reasons, the US government, and society at large, promoted many of these trends.

That's correct. But the 50s post-war prosperity was an aberration. The US was the largest combatant nation to emerge from WW2 with it's economy and manufacturing base intact. (Canada ranks second.) And the 50s was also the heyday of labor unions. Which enabled workers lacking advanced education and college degrees to earn good money in manufacturing jobs. It's highly questionable if a similar confluence of events will occur again.

USincognito · Apr 9, 2023

PsaltiChrysostom said:
I graduated in 1991 so I'm an older GenXer.

You were born ~1973 putting you 8 years into a 15 year generation. I'd say you're half-way. I was born in 68.

PsaltiChrysostom · Apr 10, 2023

USincognito said:
You were born ~1973 putting you 8 years into a 15 year generation.

Huh? I turn 55 in a few weeks. GenX runs from 1964-1980

USincognito · Apr 10, 2023

PsaltiChrysostom said:
Huh? I turn 55 in a few weeks. GenX runs from 1964-1980

Ah, college. I thought you meant high school. I'm right behind you in June and was born in 68.

Fun fact: When Det. Murtaugh said "I'm too old for this" in Lethal Weapon he was 40.

essentialsaltes · Apr 10, 2023

What number am I thinking of [and is also the year I was born]?

PsaltiChrysostom · Apr 10, 2023

USincognito said:
Ah, college. I thought you meant high school. I'm right behind you in June and were born in 73.

Fun fact: When Det. Murtaugh said "I'm too old for this" in Lethal Weapon he

essentialsaltes said:
What number am I thinking of [and is also the year I was born]?

View attachment 329971

Summer of 69...

Gen-X Attitudes And the Results

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Stranger in a Strange Land

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YEC, OEC, GAP, TE - Dispensationalist.

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YEC, OEC, GAP, TE - Dispensationalist.

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