While not strictly a generation, those citizens currently over the age of forty constitute a group of people that have caused possibly insurmountable problems, massive debts, and extreme hardship, both now and in the years to come, for those younger than them – this is the Failed Generation.
Baby Boomers and the older half of Generation X like to claim to be the greatest generation the world’s ever seen, and consistently congratulate themselves on what they imagine to be a job well done, having indelibly effected the world for the better; however, this could not be further from the truth.
This Failed Generation has been behind almost all of the disasters and problems that existed in the late 20th century and in the first decade of the 21st century – the blame can be passed to no-one else. Governments have become stagnant at best, the world was brought to the brink of economic collapse, the civil rights of countless groups have been subjugated, massive accumulated debts both personal and national will take many decades to repay, human-accelerated planetary ecological danger has been ignored for countless years, monetary greed surmounts any and all other nodes of life, public education has been all but ruined, intellectualism is highly distrusted and unwanted, liberating technological innovations are hampered with procedure and censure, and considerably more. Welcome to the greatest generation the world’s ever seen.
It is these individuals that are solely responsible for the current state of the world, and there are a few prevailing themes: greed, stupidity, and traditionalism. For the latter half of Generation X and Millennials, the future looks exceedingly bleak, since many of these issues will likely have a disturbing large effect on how much can be accomplished during their reign of power. Instead of innovation, exploration, and the betterment of society, the majority of effort now has to be spent on fixing the problems created over the last fifty years, which is, in and of itself, an entirely unprecedented event. Yet this work cannot begin until those in power are replaced and the electoral population is modern enough to address these issues – gay marriage, a perfect example in generational differences, is only likely to become a non-issue once the older generations either die out or are stripped of all their influence.
Those who grew up on Star Trek/Star Wars, computers, and dreaming of the stars must now downgrade their dreams to far more earthly and mundane goals, implementing a method of self-control that was simply not part of the Baby Boomer or early Generation-X’s vocabulary. College graduates that had entered school with hopes, dreams, and a shining future are now scrounging for jobs, and have had their careers substantially set back by both years and income. It is these young citizens who will, literally and metaphorically, save the world, and still they are cheated, ignored, and generally used by the selfsame individuals who need saving.
Keep your chin held high, Failed Generation – it’s the only pride you’ll ever have, since history will not smile kindly upon you.
From Kyle Brady…
Kyle can be found on his blog, via email, or on Twitter.
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You are so right about Baby Boomers in terms of their attitude, thinking they are a great generation. But can hardly lay collective blame for society’s ills on the people of that generation. And Early Gen-X? The only thing they trumpet is their apathy. I have never once heard anyone from this so called group claim they were the best ever??
Let me guess. You’re not even 25 years old? Am I right? Only a kid could write such misinformed drivel. Go jump on your laptop and try to save the world, instead of getting involved in real life. Yah, that’ll do the trick.
While I understand your lack of enthusiasm for where the country stands now, I see in words the knee-jerk reaction to lay blame. You inherited a system that was set on course long before these people you so callously call failures. I am 60 years old, worked hard my whole life, with my hands and my back, raised a family, paid my taxes and mortgage and voted for those how I thought were has our country’s best interest at heart. Am I a failure young man? Is that what you believe?
All you are doing is imitating Gen-X discontent and their displeasure of having to inherit Baby Boomer leftovers. Typical Echo Gen or Gen Y bullshit. You are the least original generation to date.
Generation Y, Echo Boomers, or Millennium Generation – whatever you want to call yourself and are so obviously a member of – you guys are the copy paste generation. No original ideas, echoing the apathy and discontent of gen X-ers. You think Facebook pages or websites will solve the world’s problems. Your way to fight for justice and truth is by tweeting, having lost all social skills necessary for success in the real world. Life is not virtual. Point your analysis at yourself.
I am 28 years old and I agree that we are inheriting a load of shit. It is mostly from the Baby Boomers, but Gen X was so apathetic and did so little to right the ship that they must be held accountable as well.
I am in no way agreeing with the message of this article, but i believe it does bring to light the circular nature of generational thought. It seems to show the younger generation’s distaste for the older generation’s decisions, and the older generation’s rash criticism of the younger generation.
I am sure when the baby boomers where living through the Vietnam War, they too hated the older generation for there decisions. I am sure the older generation would have responded something like, “I fought a War to save humanity,” or “I was shooting Chinese before you were sucking on a bottle,” and “What is all this crap about drugs, love, rock and roll.”
While the generational argument always reminds me of “That 70′s Show”, with Red and Eric, we must always remember that our generations will never be remembered the way we individual remember it.
I have read many of your pieces and you seem to raise Obama to the level of your own personal political hero. He is in fact more Gen X and less Baby Boomer and stands for all that is right with post Baby Boomer thinking. IS he a failure now too? Somehow I don’t think you will say yes.
You have it half right. Baby Boomers – Yes, Gen X – no. We are in fact still living entirely under the structure as built by Baby Boomers. And as the above statement suggest, the positive change Obama is brining much represents Gen X thinking than Baby Boomer.
I am Generation up your ass.
Just to take two of your many assinine and childlish comments:
“We aren’t the ones in the Supreme Court. We aren’t the Governors, Mayors, Judges, or lawyers. We aren’t even CEOs, CFOs, and Presidents of companies” and “There is no blood, whatsoever, on my generation’s hands”
No shit Sherlock, because you’re all punk kids who havent done anything but enter college and bitch on your myspace page about how hard your life is. And as a comment above already alluded to, you are only doing what every generation before has done while in the frustrating position of being an unproven, unequipped, no career college kid. There is nothing new here – thats why you are little more than an unorginal echo. When you get “old” and pass 40, the generation will point the finger of blame at you, giving you no credit for al the good you have done. Ths is the nature of being a punk kid.
“My generation has now political power?” Since when has any group of 20 somethings ad any politcal power? Be patient, stop whining and you’re time will come. Then we’ll see what the GEN Y ECHO group can do. Until then, yes, you have no power. Deal with it.
You accomplished more than most those people between 40 and 60+ who don’t like it when a 20 something tells them they are failtures as a generation?? People that have worked into retirment paid their taxes, raised their famlies, lived through wars and entire ears?? But you have done more?
Umm… what does a know it all kid say to his parents? “You dont know what its like!You’re not the boss of me!” This is asummary of your article and your commnents. Thank you for proving me right. You’re both full of yourself and full of shit. Nice Combo.
Have you ever noticed yr the only writer on this site who incessantly comments on his own peices? What are you trying to do? Upvote you comment count? You are also the only writer who has a record of fighting with commentors as well. Others say what they have to say and let their work stand on its own. Perhaps you dont have the confidence for that yet, as you are still just a kid.
You’re also a hyprocrite, because you say my comments are not worth paying attention to, but you cant resist replying. Or can you?