The Boomers vs. Generation X Paraphrased Excerpts from: Prophet (or Idealist) generations such as The Boomers show streaks of severity, the desire for not just an enemy's defeat, but his utter destruction, and are starting to show a fascination for apocalyptic solutions. Unlike their G.I. Fathers, who excelled at "overcoming" crisis, Boomers are attracted to the possibility of "fomenting" crisis and can easily be attracted to lawlessness in pursuit of a higher purpose. [When posed with a terrorist strike] Boomer leaders would exaggerate the threat and tie it to a larger sense of global crisis. These leaders would define the enemy broadly and demand its total defeat – regardless of the human and economic sacrifices required. They would be willing to risk catastrophe to achieve their definition of a "just" outcome. Boomer principle – righteous fury – may cast a long shadow over the 21st century. On The 13th Generation, aka Generation X (Barack Obama) Midlife 13ers will not have the ability to influence the nature and timing of whatever crisis the Boomers congeal, but will be there to clean up the mess, providing able on-site managers and behind-the-scenes facilitators whose quick and sound judgment could spell the difference between triumph and tragedy. Controlling the Boomers may emerge as the 13ers most fateful lifecycle mission, as they will be the generation best equipped to deflect the Boomer drift towards apocalyptic visions. Yes, that's right... hard to believe this stuff was written 17 years ago by two leading experts on Generational Studies who, I might add, are Boomers themselves. |