Baby Boomers. The third greatest generation? Boomer kids the worst?

[magomago]

Zebo - trust me I know I have to work for it and be aggressive ! I spent around 2 years in a discussion with two friends or so just on this topic alone. That is why everything I'm doing in terms of education, work, social networking to propel me upwards as much as possible. When I wrote that, I tried NOT to give off the impression that we DESERVE it all, but I tried to point out the hippocracy of why the boomer generation when they point at us and say "you aren't entitled worth Sh|t"...when THEY were the ones who were entitled and screwed it all.

Like I said - in today's world the stakes are 1000 times higher and we are competing with the globe now rather than our local area (of course it depends how "big" you want to go. In terms of what I want to accomplish I look on the global scale). If we don't swim, we WILL sink regardless of what legs up we are given. I have many friends doing just that~ they are just kinda "pushing" through college without any goal or direction and just getting herded from class to class and not taking the initiative and getting experience, etc...basically college is the next thing after HS cause there is nothing to do. They EXPECT that 200K job, house, investments to follow because they a 2.5 studying something like mechanical engineering over 5 years.

I don't expect anyone to give me anything for free - I will and am working for it...but it gets sickening to hear ad naseum how "Gen X+1 is a failure"...that aid, I already know most of my friends don't haev any direction or want to accomplish something. Some do - like some are passionate about teaching, others want to be hella science ballers, some want to be professors, some have no idea WHAT they want to do but study as hard and they can and keep doors open (this is the one I fall into)...and some are just going to join the army BECAUSE the army basically sets up your life for you so you don't have to.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: magomago
Zebo - trust me I know I have to work for it and be aggressive ! I spent around 2 years in a discussion with two friends or so just on this topic alone. That is why everything I'm doing in terms of education, work, social networking to propel me upwards as much as possible. When I wrote that, I tried NOT to give off the impression that we DESERVE it all, but I tried to point out the hippocracy of why the boomer generation when they point at us and say "you aren't entitled worth Sh|t"...when THEY were the ones who were entitled and screwed it all.

Like I said - in today's world the stakes are 1000 times higher and we are competing with the globe now rather than our local area (of course it depends how "big" you want to go. In terms of what I want to accomplish I look on the global scale). If we don't swim, we WILL sink regardless of what legs up we are given. I have many friends doing just that~ they are just kinda "pushing" through college without any goal or direction and just getting herded from class to class and not taking the initiative and getting experience, etc...basically college is the next thing after HS cause there is nothing to do. They EXPECT that 200K job, house, investments to follow because they a 2.5 studying something like mechanical engineering over 5 years.

I don't expect anyone to give me anything for free - I will and am working for it...but it gets sickening to hear ad naseum how "Gen X+1 is a failure"...that aid, I already know most of my friends don't haev any direction or want to accomplish something. Some do - like some are passionate about teaching, others want to be hella science ballers, some want to be professors, some have no idea WHAT they want to do but study as hard and they can and keep doors open (this is the one I fall into)...and some are just going to join the army BECAUSE the army basically sets up your life for you so you don't have to.

Ah I see good for you.. I agree competly with your premise. Boomers had the charmed life, became and still are spoiled brats indeed.

 

[piasabird]

I have found that children are a reflection of their parents and society. Parents that teach their kids good values have a higher chance of having better children that will grow up to make a difference in society, and prepare the next generation for the future.

If you are pessimistic and have a defeatist attitude, then maybe you are the problem.

Our children are our greatest hope.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Wreckem

Originally posted by: fitzov
How do you quantify the greatness?

The only thing the baby boomers are good at, is being selfish.

People say Gen X and beyond are all about me me me. Well we learned from the masters.

And you learned well. Too bad we didn't teach you creativity, humility and a good work ethic.

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: techs
If the World War 2 generation is the greatest generation than the Revolutionary War generation is the second greates (imo).
I submit the baby boomers are the third greatest.
After a rocky start in the 1960's the boomers righted themselves. They learned about politics. They saw the wisdom in leaving Viet Nam (wisdom the Russians learned too late in Afganistan to save their empire).
After wasting away their early years on drugs and pop culture and radical ideas the baby boomers went back to school, worked hard and re-invigorated the American economy.(Sorry Reaganites, it was the productivity of the boomers, not the tax cuts).
The boomers were so productive they gave America the economic power to end communism.
The boomers fought back against the Japanese rise in economic dominance.
The boomers did a great job.

The boomer kids? The worst. They are un-educated, lazy slackers. They vote tax cuts for instead of educating themselves. They are so de-sensitized to violence that Iraq is just another video game. When 9-11 happened they gave away their freedoms without a whimper.
Its too late for them now. They are the worst.

Newsflash: The Boomers overwhelmingly voted for Bush. Check your facts. This generation voted Kerry. The older you are, the more you vote Republican, and vice versa.

 

[blackllotus]

Originally posted by: ntdz
Newsflash: The Boomers overwhelmingly voted for Bush. Check your facts.

Thats exactly what techs said

Originally posted by: techs
The boomer kids? The worst. They are un-educated, lazy slackers. They vote tax cuts for instead of educating themselves. They are so de-sensitized to violence that Iraq is just another video game. When 9-11 happened they gave away their freedoms without a whimper.

 

[compuwiz1]

Well, there are some differences between Baby Boomers and Gen X.

Baby Boomers give 2 weeks notice, when quitting a job, whereas Gen X just doesn't show up for shift.

Baby boomers show up to work, actually DO some work, then expect a paycheck, whereas, the Gen X shows up for work, does nothing, but then expects to get paid.

Baby Boomers tend to take initiative, seeing that something is done, when it needs doing, whereas, the Gen X wonders what needs to be done, let alone, taking any initiative.

Baby Boomers seem to strive more toward perfection of their job, while learning, and advancing, whereas a Gen X might still be the same guy washing your car, 10 years from now.

Gen X is more likely to be found still living at home, at the age of 30, where Baby Boomers were more likely to be gone before the age of 21.

Yep, from my own personal observations, as well as feedback from friends who own businesses, I'd have to say Boomer's kids are worst, in general.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Baby Boomers tend to take initiative, seeing that something is done, when it needs doing, whereas, the Gen X wonders what needs to be done, let alone, taking any initiative.

Maybe that is because our baby boomer managers, in striving for that job perfection you speak of, micro manage everything to the extent that there is nothing left for the Gen Xers to do...hard to take initiative when your managers feel the need to control everything, and take credit for everything even if you do demonstrate initiative

Gen X is more likely to be found still living at home, at the age of 30, where Baby Boomers were more likely to be gone before the age of 21

Because the Baby Boomers have thrown the housing market so out of whack that Gen Xers can't even afford a first home.

Baby Boomers seem to strive more toward perfection of their job, while learning, and advancing, whereas a Gen X might still be the same guy washing your car, 10 years from now.

Gen Xers have a better appreciation for work life balance...Baby Boomers defined their sense of "self" by their jobs...Gen Xers work to make money such that they can enjoy the outside of work activities that define their sense of "self"


Disclaimer...none of these statements are factual

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Gen X is more likely to be found still living at home, at the age of 30, where Baby Boomers were more likely to be gone before the age of 21.

Maybe thats because it was possible for the boomers to finish college, get a nice-paying job, and buy a house when they were that age. While I did move out at 21, my wife and I will probably be close to 30 by the time we can actually afford a home in a area that we can actually find jobs in.

 

[compuwiz1]

How'd ya like my broad stroke of generalizations? Actually, some is just perception, some not. Much is just stuff I'd heard before. As for the Baby Boomers, I'm sure their parents were concerned that the majority of their generation was junk.
Actually, I know some lazy, stoner Baby Boomers, who have accomplished nothing, as well.

 

[Martin]

There are few things worse than whiney, old, arrogant and hypocritical bastrads.

As magomago said, the easy life you enjoyed no longer exists for normal people, its reserved only for rich kids whose parents can afford to support them generously well into their twenties.

 

[Pandaren]

Originally posted by: Martin
There are few things worse than whiney, old, arrogant and hypocritical bastrads.

Well said. Someone needs to call out these fraking idiots.

 

[ProfJohn]

Generations ranked in order of greatness:
1. Revolutionary War. Risked EVERYTHING fighting for a CONCEPT not even something they could hold or had experienced, but a concept. The concept of freedom and self rule. On top of this a bunch of rag tag under funded poorly equipped men who spent the first years of the war freezing and going hungry took on the greatest empire the world has ever seen, and won.
2. Civil War. Fought for what they believed and to preserve the union. Fought and suffered greater calamities and died in greater numbers than in any other war. And did it all when the North could have just as easily let the south leave the union and gone on with their lives.
3. World War 2. Fought for freedom and against oppression around the world. I?m sorry, but the title ?greatest generation? comes from a book, and it is a great title and very representative of what this generation did and sacrificed to preserve freedom. However, unlike the revolutionary war generation this group knew and understood freedom and democracy and what they were fighting for, many of them would have heard the stories of what life was like in Europe and in undemocratic nations from their patents and grandparents. And as great as the death toll was, it was nothing compared to the wholesale slaughter that was the battlefields of the civil war.

The boomers? Forget it, maybe 4th, but hard to say since they never faced any real challenges to their way of life. And GenX and beyond, way to early to tell. Perhaps the war on terror will be the great test for these generations.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Generations ranked in order of greatness:
1. Revolutionary War. Risked EVERYTHING fighting for a CONCEPT not even something they could hold or had experienced, but a concept. The concept of freedom and self rule. On top of this a bunch of rag tag under funded poorly equipped men who spent the first years of the war freezing and going hungry took on the greatest empire the world has ever seen, and won.
2. Civil War. Fought for what they believed and to preserve the union. Fought and suffered greater calamities and died in greater numbers than in any other war. And did it all when the North could have just as easily let the south leave the union and gone on with their lives.
3. World War 2. Fought for freedom and against oppression around the world. I?m sorry, but the title ?greatest generation? comes from a book, and it is a great title and very representative of what this generation did and sacrificed to preserve freedom. However, unlike the revolutionary war generation this group knew and understood freedom and democracy and what they were fighting for, many of them would have heard the stories of what life was like in Europe and in undemocratic nations from their patents and grandparents. And as great as the death toll was, it was nothing compared to the wholesale slaughter that was the battlefields of the civil war.

The boomers? Forget it, maybe 4th, but hard to say since they never faced any real challenges to their way of life. And GenX and beyond, way to early to tell. Perhaps the war on terror will be the great test for these generations.

I'm not so sure about the revolutionary war generation. It seemed to be something favored more by the business classes of Boston wanting to avoid taxation more than anything else...remember "taxation without representation?" -- We never had it from them once...PERIOD.
I don't think a few of our forefather's intentions (*cough* John Hancock *cough*) were that noble in their intentions~
I still think the result ultimately came out pretty well.

I do think WW2 generation does rank up there simply because to organize an entire society to mobilize itself for a war for over five years is absolutely amazing...then again that can extend to probably a lot of other countries who got screwed in the war as well~ and this was all the same generation that got hit by the the great depression (remember~ this was on a global scale, it didn't just happen in the USA).
In that sense one of the greatest generation of people in a long time are those who got through that depression and WW2 regardless of their location

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Well, there are some differences between Baby Boomers and Gen X.

Baby Boomers give 2 weeks notice, when quitting a job, whereas Gen X just doesn't show up for shift.

Baby boomers show up to work, actually DO some work, then expect a paycheck, whereas, the Gen X shows up for work, does nothing, but then expects to get paid.

Baby Boomers tend to take initiative, seeing that something is done, when it needs doing, whereas, the Gen X wonders what needs to be done, let alone, taking any initiative.

Baby Boomers seem to strive more toward perfection of their job, while learning, and advancing, whereas a Gen X might still be the same guy washing your car, 10 years from now.

Gen X is more likely to be found still living at home, at the age of 30, where Baby Boomers were more likely to be gone before the age of 21.

Yep, from my own personal observations, as well as feedback from friends who own businesses, I'd have to say Boomer's kids are worst, in general.

Good generalizations. Like I was telling magomago if you're willing, show on time and work hard, work good there is no problem with American dream still..boss/client will reward you... it's such a rarity these days to find it. I just went though 4 tile guys before I found one worth a sh1t, one who showed when he said he would, did not leave place a wreck every night, put in a full days work, watched his mouth, wasnt a chatty Cathy etc... Young guy too, about 27... I pay him what ever he asked for after seeing his work, attitude and diligence.

 

[techs]

WTF???? People are saying the Civil War generation was great??? Almost half the people were in armed revolt against the United States with the most important issue the right to own slaves!!! That's like saying the WW2 German generation was great.
And don't start the revisionist, the Civil War wasn't about slavery b.s. Since the Compromise of 1850 which prevented secession was all about slavery, and the South seceeded because an anti-slavery President was elected. And the South could have had their independence at any point in the first 4 years of the war by freeing their slaves if they would enlist to fight. Which would have bolstered the Confederate army a huge amount and would have ended abolitionist furor in the North in support of the war.
No, the Civil War generation fails the test.

 

[Rainsford]

Wow, old people whining about how worthless young people are...I'm guessing you guys are the first group of old people to ever do that EVER. I see no need to get into another pointless generational pissing contest, but as a card carrying young person who doesn't appreciate your stupid-ass generalization, I think I speak for most of us when I say, feel free to cram it with walnuts. For a generation that's so great, you guys certainly seem to have found plenty of time to produce a bumper crop of whining.

 

[Rainsford]

Alright, I know I said I saw no need to get drawn into this argument...but there were just a couple of things I just HAD to address.

The first thing is that you're comparing apples and oranges, I'm not sure the argument as made in the OP is valid anyways, but a REAL comparison would involve the boomers when they were in their 20s and the 20 year olds of today...not a very flattering comparison for the boomers if you ask me. Secondly, I'm not sure how you can blame the loss of liberties since 9/11 on today's young people. Not only do the majority of us oppose those actions and vote accordingly, but the VAST majority of the people in government pushing them (and the voters who support them) are boomers. So let's see, we have the "3rd greatest generation" going from stoned hippies to authoritarian, fearful sheep. Great job!

I realize I had just as many assumptions and generalizations there, which was kind of the point...

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: techs
If the World War 2 generation is the greatest generation than the Revolutionary War generation is the second greates (imo).
I submit the baby boomers are the third greatest.
After a rocky start in the 1960's the boomers righted themselves. They learned about politics. They saw the wisdom in leaving Viet Nam (wisdom the Russians learned too late in Afganistan to save their empire).
After wasting away their early years on drugs and pop culture and radical ideas the baby boomers went back to school, worked hard and re-invigorated the American economy.(Sorry Reaganites, it was the productivity of the boomers, not the tax cuts).
The boomers were so productive they gave America the economic power to end communism.
The boomers fought back against the Japanese rise in economic dominance.
The boomers did a great job.

The boomer kids? The worst. They are un-educated, lazy slackers. They vote tax cuts for instead of educating themselves. They are so de-sensitized to violence that Iraq is just another video game. When 9-11 happened they gave away their freedoms without a whimper.
Its too late for them now. They are the worst.

LMAO, and they need to stay off my lawn.

Seriously man, things change, and people change get used to it or go the way of the dodo.

:music:
in the back woods there is
something that will never change
they are just standing looking backwards
half unconcious from the pain :music:

[Meat Puppets]

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: techs
WTF???? People are saying the Civil War generation was great??? Almost half the people were in armed revolt against the United States with the most important issue the right to own slaves!!! That's like saying the WW2 German generation was great.
And don't start the revisionist, the Civil War wasn't about slavery b.s. Since the Compromise of 1850 which prevented secession was all about slavery, and the South seceeded because an anti-slavery President was elected. And the South could have had their independence at any point in the first 4 years of the war by freeing their slaves if they would enlist to fight. Which would have bolstered the Confederate army a huge amount and would have ended abolitionist furor in the North in support of the war.
No, the Civil War generation fails the test.

What about the people in the North who fought for the union and eventually to free the slaves.
As far revisionist, I think it is the south who wants to paint it as a war for states rights, that might actually be what they thought.
But I am sure that most of the people in the north knew what they were fighting for.
1. Preserve the union
2. end of slavery
Would have been a lot easier for them to just let the south go than to endure the hardship of the four year war.

BTW: I went to high school in Maine and Jr. High in Florida. In Maine it was clearly described as a war for slavery. But in Florida people actually talked about and believed the idea of states rights and that it was about more than just slavery.

 

[Thump553]

As a member of the boomer generation, I wish to raise two points:

(1) GWB - about as bad a stain on our generation as possible. Someone who chose John Fogerty's "Fortunate Son" as a life blueprint and strenuously worked his tale off to get this country mired in Vietnam II. 99% of us around for the first time never wanted to live that movie again, regardless of which side of the Vietnam split we were on.

(2) I certainly wouldn't write off our 18-35 year olds as being a total generation of slackers. I run across plenty of these people working hard on political campaigns or doing volunteer work, or working 60+ hour weeks, not to mention the vast number of people that have (unfortunately, in my view) volunteered for active duty or the reserves.

 

[Starbuck1975]

WTF???? People are saying the Civil War generation was great??? Almost half the people were in armed revolt against the United States with the most important issue the right to own slaves!!! That's like saying the WW2 German generation was great.
And don't start the revisionist, the Civil War wasn't about slavery b.s. Since the Compromise of 1850 which prevented secession was all about slavery, and the South seceeded because an anti-slavery President was elected. And the South could have had their independence at any point in the first 4 years of the war by freeing their slaves if they would enlist to fight. Which would have bolstered the Confederate army a huge amount and would have ended abolitionist furor in the North in support of the war.
No, the Civil War generation fails the test.

Actually the Civil War was about state's rights...the Constitution almost never got off the ground due to this issue, and if you read the Federalist papers and other documents that document the Convention, there was very much a debate between the Founding Fathers over state's rights versus a large federal government. Many felt that a strong federal government would eventually mirror the very monarchy the colonies sought liberation from.

In the nation's infancy, the debate between state's rights versus the federal government continued to rage...the Northern states gravitated towards industrialization, while the south remained largely agricultural, with the Southern states' economy heavily dependent on slave labor.

The tensions that fueled the Civil War date back to the very founding of this nation...slavery was simply the wedge issue that broke the camel's back. The rank and file of the Confederate Army were not slave owners...they were largely share croppers and poor dirt farmers...the soldiers of the Confederacy turned against the federal government because their loyalty was to their respective states, not because they sought to passionately defend slavery...the movement at the federal level to abolish slavery was one of numerous issues that southern citizens opposed, as it represented federal intervention in what they perceived as state affairs...slavery was simply the most prominant and hotly debated of those issues.

Robert E. Lee is a noteable example...a decorated war veteran and well respected Army officer and West Point graduate who was not a proponent for slavery, yet who gave his loyalty to his state during the Civil War.

Those who wish to frame the Civil War as a slavery issue are the ones engaging in revisionist history...and this is coming from someone who was raised in the northeast.