Anti Baby boomer hate

[Forest Nymph]

Here's a few facts: Baby Boomers are responsible for Trump. Baby Boomers are the most likely to engage in things like climate science denial, refuse to curb activities which are harmful to the environment, and are statistically the only generation known to man who used as much resources as quickly as they did (and still feel entitled to them) throughout their lifetimes.

"Ok Boomer" actually comes from an intelligent place. Its original use to was to put politicians and other powerful entities in their place for either denying climate change, refusing to act on climate change, or to even be a "moderate" with their head up their *** about what actually needs to be done about climate change, even as they pay it lip service.

"Ok Boomer" also is a very appropriate response to anyone who doesn't seem to comprehend that it's not 1980 anymore when they talk about minimum wage, the cost of attending a four-year university, or the ability to purchase a home.

I am all for the phrase "Ok Boomer" in its original intended usage. It's over-used now, as a vague insult to people's interests in music or movies which is stupid and mean (and sometimes has nothing to do with age) so I understand your concern in that way.

I also think that the retired people catching coronavirus and fighting over rotten food on cruise ships 100% deserve their fate, for their oblivious selfishness. That is pretty much the ultimate first world problem "onoes I caught a deadly disease that I could spread to my family, friends, or total strangers because I felt entitlement to a pointless and unnecessary retirement cruise." I'm not saying that there aren't younger people on those boats, but we all know who the core clientele of cruise ships are. Why? Because cruise ships are also a huge contributor to environmental destruction, the companies have all been cited for various offenses in recent years. It's just not as culturally normative to care about all-you-can-eat buffets and lounge singers in younger people, either.

 

[Forest Nymph]

And rightfully so!

The younger MP was extolling the importance of combating climate change, don’t think laughing at that and trying to disrupt is a particular sign of the wisdom of a distinguished generation.

Baby Boomers are remarkable in their self-centeredness. All older people are blamed by younger people for their mistakes, that's just human nature BUT we have people who are long past retirement age running the Western world. It's given Boomers this really creepy attitude towards younger people, as though 30 and 40 year olds are teenagers. That's how they keep themselves from feeling "old" or moving into a different stage in their lives, if they keep telling themselves that people who are literally in early middle age now are kids (because Millennials are nearing FORTY now, not just thirty).

It's pretty revolting. Like, sure, don't be mean to Boomers. Meanwhile, these wealthy, powerful elderly people are treating college educated people with full-time jobs and/or families like they're idiots that don't know what's good for the world. Millennials just need to shut up and behave.

It's also terrible because so many of them have such unbelievable wealth, owning multiple cars, multiple houses, while younger adults can't even afford small starter homes. And then they wonder why so many people under the age of 50 think moderate Dems are trash?

I know all Boomers aren't like this, but this stuff stems from an extremely relevant place, and people need to face it.

 

[Lou]

As a boomer, I am sort of disappointed in my generation too.
We started off so strong, too. WE were going to change the world. Beatles, Woodstock, Artificial hearts, Apples, PCs, Cell phones. JFK.

But then what happened? greed, manipulation, Bush, war and corruption.

 

[KLS52]

Wow.

 

[Nekodaiden]

Meh

Blaming Boomers for economic and environmental problems seems like a knee jerk reaction from someone who is lost in a system where they believe politicians (especially presidents) hold the answers and solutions, or are to blame if they don't - which is something that is encouraged in US media. If the Boomers (I am assuming the context here is the US baby boomers) share in the blame I'd say it's mostly because they were just as indoctrinated as most everyone is today, with the exception that they had extra incentives other nations didn't - the buying power of the US dollar under Bretton Woods after WW2 and the power that came with that. This was of course effectively shattered by Nixon in 1971 when he completely delinked the dollar from gold, making the US, as well as other nations completely fiat and floating currencies, and the US would later dominate by pegging it's currency to the control of oil.

So I was reading this thread and saw Lou's response mentioning war...and I thought "yeah...and how many of these wars would we have if the people had to be directly taxed for them as in previous generations?" The answer is none, the taxes are inflation and passing on the increased debt to future generations. There is a proverb that says "the borrower is slave to the lender", and so as individuals, also nation states - but so few people question it. Besides, it might bring hard looks from the PC crowd, seeing as that usury is outlawed in all 3 Abrahamic religions, with the exception that the Hebrews were allowed to use it against non-Hebrews - thus bringing about hints of anti-semitism. Except - it's even used in Israel for the Jews that live there...

Obviously there has to be a reckoning sometime. It's just very gradual. The banks and corporations they control grow, the wars continue with more printed/digitized money created out of nothing as debt, wealth is transferred from the middle class to those closest to the spicket of where the money is spent into existence, and consequences follow on...ever gradually, until the targeted nation is completely screwed.

Which is the whole point. It's sort of pointless to blame generations or even politicians - for the latter, they work for other masters, the people you don't hear about...and when they rebel (like JFK did), they get shot.

 

[beancounter]

Well the Boomers lived through at least two strong economic periods, when the cost of living was lower relative to income levels, so they were able to get more for their money which made them relatively more properous.

Further, business has changed its priorities. Business strives to give as little as possible to workers, and as much as possible to the executives, major shareholders and BOD.

Remember when pensions and jobs for life were the norm?

The core earning years of the Boomers occurred during the 80's, so they benefited from it.

The 80's were the transition point. Business people were able to convince the voting public that business people could run the government better than "traditional" politicians. Part of the problem is that business doesn't operate the same ad government is (supposed to)

One is top down management, the other is based on collaboration and compromise. They are incompatible.

 

[Sax]

There's a lot of unflattering generalizations we can make about boomers, but it would be absurd to think that reflects something innate about them. If millennials had been born in the 50s and 60s things would have turned out the same. We'll be hated by younger generations soon enough.

 

[PTree15]

Well the Boomers lived through at least two strong economic periods, when the cost of living was lower relative to income levels, so they were able to get more for their money which made them relatively more properous.

Further, business has changed its priorities. Business strives to give as little as possible to workers, and as much as possible to the executives, major shareholders and BOD.

Remember when pensions and jobs for life were the norm?

The 80's were the transition point. Business people were able to convince the voting public that business people could run the government better than "traditional" politicians. Part of the problem is that business doesn't operate the same ad government is (supposed to)

The core warning years of the Boomers occured during that time, so they benefited from it.

One is top down management, the other is based on collaboration and compromise. They are incompatible.

That part in bold is critical to recognize. It's a completely different mindset on the part of companies. My parents stayed in jobs for decades and got decent pensions and could retire without too much worry. The focus on the stock market played a big part as well, as companies became more interested in pleasing shareholders (because it helped company owners financially) than in actually providing a great product or service by working with employees toward success. Workers became the enemy.

Today's workers aren't even offered pensions in many cases. I also think the move away from pensions (which benefited all employees) to the 401(k) really didn't do much for people who couldn't and can't afford to contribute to those accounts. If you can afford the payroll deductions, great, but if you can't, you're screwed and stuck relying on Social Security, which rarely is enough to retire on.

 

[MoreGreens]

Can I just say that as an invisible Gen X person that there are crappy, selfish people of all ages?
I think Boomers do have too much political power, but that's because younger Americans either can't vote because of legalized disenfranchisement or won't vote because they're too ... disillusioned? lazy? apathetic? I have no idea why young people don't embrace their right to vote. I also don't understand how poor Boomers can vote against social programs that would help them.

Regardless, I'm the daughter of Boomers and a parent of both Millennial and Gen Z. I understand the resentment of younger generations, because I grew up with the wealth of my parents but realized early in my adulthood that I wouldn't be able to get the same for myself ... education costs skyrocketed, benefits slowly dwindled, pensions disappeared to be replaced by 401-K's which are only as healthy as the current market. I accepted that I would pay into Social Security and Medicare, which would further take care of my parents, but by the time I reached the age to receive them, they would be depleted. (and I have to listen to my parents spew venom against socialist policies while reaping the benefits of the same ... the hypocrisy is nauseating) If I'm being honest, I was bitter for quite a few years over what I could've had but won't have. One of the reasons I chose to stay home with my children is I know that when I reenter the workforce, I'll likely never retire. I may as well enjoy motherhood if I'm going to work until I literally can't, and I recognize that I'm privileged for having that choice. I think the only reason Gen X aren't as furious as the Millennials is that Gen X is holding on to the hope of inheriting Boomer wealth.

 

[silva]

It’s ageism, nothing else. I feel personally attacked because an entire generation is being attacked. Millennials see me and assume the absolute worst about me just because of my age. They don’t say the same thing about older generations; they get a pass. There are people like Rupert Murdoch in their 80’s and 90’s who have done great harm in the world, but it’s the baby boomers who are singled out for the hatred. They would never dare translate that into racism or misogyny, but they’re safe when they do it to a whole generation.

You know I never get that.... I hear loads of negative things directed towards millenials though.
I'm more likely to say "ok boomer" now So many people who fit that bill.....not you though Amy.....

 

[KLS52]

I hear Millenials being bashed all the time, too, and as a boomer, I think it’s terrible. I have a problem with labeling in general, though.

At least half of the boomers I know did not vote for Trump. I also work with Millenials who are awesome, smart and hard working. They are the up and coming force in our department and are going to be an big asset in helping to protect public health.

 

[Katrina]

The only thing I can think of to say is that someday the millennials will get the same crap from younger generations, but that doesn’t seem to stop the attacks. They say they already get attacked by MY generation. I say it’s just the media stirring up trouble to divide us, but that tactic doesn’t work, either.

I guess this is more of a rant than anything else. I really hate it when I see an entire generation attacked on the internet.

Millennials do get crap from the older generation. Just look at all the comments about how entitled we all are, etc. I used to be considered Gen Y, but then the term Millennial came along and I'm lumped in with that whole group. We are bashed so much that "Millennial" is a derogatory term, IMO.

I didn't notice any Boomer jokes until I found an artist on Instagram who posts anti-technology artwork. Half the responses are from people calling him a "Boomer" and basically dismissing his opinion. I found that interesting and kind of annoying.

All I can say is just try to ignore it.

 

[Urban Gardener]

I get mistaken for a Millenial a lot. Boomers direct a lot of hate at Millenials. Everything I do is, “because you’re a Millenial,” and, “kids these days!” Even though I’m in my 40’s and I’m a Gen X’er.

Some of it is extreme. People think it’s ok to touch me because I’m a “kid.”

It has given me a lot of empathy for Millenials and Gen Z. When I was young, there was not that amount of hatred towards Gen X. Adults were generally friendly towards us.

My point is that it’s a vicious cycle. It’s going both ways.

To break the cycle, just be compassionate and respectful towards people of different ages and say that you disagree with all of the ageism. It’s hard to get more specific than that without examples of the kinds of conversations that you’re referring to. But peace needs to be waged between the generations.

 

[Mufflon]

Can I just say that as an invisible Gen X person that there are crappy, selfish people of all ages?

This. Born in 1977 and Gen X here as well. One simply can't generalize.

 

[Amy SF]

I don’t know where the “boomers hate millennials” crap comes from. My niece and nephew are millennials, and I think they’re both awesome people. Why would I, as a baby boomer, hate my niece and nephew just because they’re millennials?

 

[KLS52]

I don’t know where the “boomers hate millennials” crap comes from. My niece and nephew are millennials, and I think they’re both awesome people. Why would I, as a baby boomer, hate my niece and nephew just because they’re millennials?

I think it’s like NYC gardener and Mufflon are saying...don’t generalize. I get so butt hurt whenever I hear the word boomer used in a derogatory way, lol. No one has ever said it to me directly and I’m hoping it’s because I’m not acting in a way to warrant it.
I have two Gen-x daughters. I’m not sure where my son falls...he was born in 1981. I don’t even know how all of this got started but it’s mean and ridiculous. Of course each generation may have certain traits due to the time/era in which they were raised. But to lump them all into the same pot is ridiculous and to use name calling to shame or hurt is even worse.

 

[Urban Gardener]

I get called a Millenial in a derogatory way all the time. And when I go on Facebook (rarely these days), my news feed is full of posts from Gen X’ers and Boomers complaining about Millenials. It goes the other way too, but, often, the Millenials are complaining about being hated by the older generations.

Yes, there are crappy people of all ages. But the anti-Millenial thing seems different.

When I was in my teens and twenties, no one ever called me a Gen X’er in a derogatory way. I never heard it having any negative connotations.

These days, it’s just constantly, “Well, you’re a MILLENIAL,” and lots of derogatory comments. I don’t even respond. I don’t want to associate with people my age who hate younger people. To me, that seems really creepy. Very, “punching down,” drunk on power and leaning towards abusing it.

My point is that one can separate oneself from all of this by voicing disagreement with ageism and support for people in other age groups. Then people of other ages will see that you’re trying to be part of the solution and you won’t get lumped in with the people who are creating issues as much.

Edit:

Also, I think it’s the result of the cultural shift brought on by changes in technology. The, “born digital,” thing as well as greater acceptance of diversity.

I’ve noticed that when people my age complain about, “the little Millenial hipsters,” half the time, it seems to be coded language. It means something like, “they have friends of all backgrounds and they’re expressing their genders in different ways and oh my.” It seems to come from people who want to be seen as liberal yet also feel uncomfortable with rapid social change and long for the older days that felt safer to them.

 

[KLS52]

I guess because I am a “boomer” I notice boomers getting picked on more than the other way around. But it could also be because the other boomers I associate with are like me...we don’t judge based on labels. I guess that’s a good thing! We have no need to puck on other generations. Maybe because we have children who are both Gen x and millennials? I’m not sure.

 

[silva]

Isn't it really just a different way of the older gen complaining about the younger ones?
My whole life, 60's born, I've heard complaints from the older gen about the younger ones. The younger gen always is touted as having things easier, of being lazier, not strict or disciplined enough. The younger generation is always thought of being the ones to bring society down, bring on evil things. Every. SIngle. Generation. Full of the crap of how the world is going to hell now that they're not the ones in power.

These days I think it's more prevelent because of the cool memes--like "OK Boomer". Heck, I use that one to people my own age all time!

It's just some people. There are so many kinds of some people

 

[silva]

Like when I was young, my gen was the one responsible for crime and disrespect. Huh. The Archie Bunkers!