Does it scary you that Generation-X'ers are going to eventually be taking over?
340886
Okay, so they're college professors who are teaching the future leaders. I don't think that you can really find any generation without things to complain about. It may shock you to know that not all of us gen x or y or whatever category I fall into are what you see on MTV, fully obsessed with the bling-bling "real world" jessica&nick fantasy life of hollywood. We're not all grungy potheads with no ambition in life either. Some of us made it out of the mess and have a concern for the well being of the rest of the world and CAN see outside of our own front yard to how our actions affect the rest of the world. What scares me about the future is the corporations who don't give a damn about anything but profit and exist to worship and glorify the almighty dollar at the expense of variety of life itself. And the sad part goes back to your original statement. People in my generation don't give a damn. About much of anything. So the corporations take over and tell us what to wear, listen to, watch, eat, drink and do or risk being yesterday's news and people buy into that crap. That is what scares me. Apathy.
490370
problem is, we don't know the type of generation you're talking to. in any case, make sure encourage them in taking the journey ahead. there will be bumps in the road, so at least plant a seed in their minds so that they will believe, no, so that they will know they could handle it. Won't you feel proud if one of them came back to you and said "because of you Mr. whatever, i did not give up."? much luv, stay safe, and the best of luck.\n\nAngel
1027896
afraid? i dont think so. it is just that adults know that the kids are just not grown up to undestand the complexity of the whole thing.
345295
Didn't you mean "What do you think of celebrity baby names?" Just kidding.  Actually, this is something that I think about often.  I believe that my generation will begin to witness the demise of the middle class (by which I mean the lower and middle middle classes, not the upper middle class).  The reasons for this breakdown are, I imagine, extremely complex, and I doubt very much that I am qualified to render a competent analysis.  I will speculate that the most fundamental cause of this phenomenon is complacency.  This generation of people seems genuinely unconcerned with any kind of political education, which need not be formal at all.  As long as people really are more interested in what goes on in the tabloids than the political and social forces that are eroding our society as we know it, social and governmental elites will continue to protect their own interests at the expense of those from whom, theoretically at least, they derive their power.  Change requires recognition, and as long as we bury our collective heads in the sand, nothing will be done.  This nation seems to be following the path of all fallen empires.  We are so incredibly overextended that taking care of the needs of the bulk of our own population is simply no longer a primary concern.  The number of people in this country living without access to health care bears this out, and this is by no means the only issue faced by the lower and middle classes.  We will either wise up, or experience the kind of unrest and violence that such social divides inevitably bring.  I hope for the former, but expect the latter.
74709
My guess is that the term "Generation X" was coined somewhere in a popular newspaper or magazine and then people started copying it.  "Generation Y" is just a borrowing of Generation X (but tne next one).  I have no evidence whatsoever to back up this idea, but a little Internet searching might reveal what were the first times the terms were used.
457484
I think so.  Kids are growing up way before they should, the people of the world ar in a 24/7 non-stop rut, there seems to be something new out there to buy every day, and people won't stop criticizing the beliefs of others.\n\nMy head is spinning, there are not enough hours in the day to do and think about everything that's expected of us.
411000
Not by a long shot! Most seem to think that we are as about as sophisticated as we are going to be, but I don't agree. I believe that there are things that we are (eventually) capable of finding or dreaming up that would just blow our minds to know of now! Just try to think of how someone from a century ago would react to learn of what was to come in the next century...hmmmmmmm...
261554
If politicians are counting on this, they had better start packing up their offices now.\n\nThe truth is, right now the population pyramid is shaped like a fat person, with the largest amount of adults in the middle.  These are the baby boomer generation.  As they age, and become the single largest voting bloc in the history of the US, a lot of trends will change.  Boomers, generally, are not satisfied with status quo, in comsuming or in politics.  This is going to severly change the landscape of economy and government for the next thirty years.\n\nI jusr read these other posts.  How about some facts to support your paranoia?  This whole fat lazy bit is growing old, and seems a bit too much like you are being fed your own filth and believing it.
700186
People are going to have to start thinking a LOT harder about the future...
1042558
Society's downfall has been predicted with alarming regularity since the beginning of civilization. Those "old days" were not as "good" as folks make them out to be, as brown eyed bohemian pointed out.\n\nWhile we have more ways of destroying our planet than ever, I don't think we're quite ready for "Armageddon" just yet. While the disappearance of the US middle class is a chilling development, it's not the biggest we face.\n\nClimate changes prompted by global warming will make it tougher for BILLIONS of people to have any quality of life at all. People (especially in the wealthier nations like US and Europe) will have to get politically active locally and nationally to get their leaders to follow the proper course. Just as important, we will need to network on an informal basis with our counterparts in other countries. Keep on the good foot. Cincypix.
354443
I'm a baby boomer and I completely agree with you. What you didn't mention is that we are probably one of the single most self centered and selfish generations around. You can thank the poor educational system, widespread family breakdowns, multigenerational welfare families, and various unwinable wars on us and our refusal to acknowledge reality. Good luck. You'll need it.
89785
nah...\n\nPeople have been complaining that the current generation is worse than the past ones literally since Aristotle. Times changes, as do attitudes and fads. Sometimes the old folks (and that would probaby include me at 44) sometimes don't keep up with it and have a lot of nostalgia for what they *think* was there youth.
829191
Society is evolving, some generations are getting better, some worse.\n\nOver time natural selection will take over, the people who do "better"  will continue, those who do not will fade away.
157241
I can only assume that there will be problems there for the next few decades, until the new democracies (without Iran) will educate the new generations in the spirit of tolerance and teach them that it is important not to isolate oneself. They will flourish using their oil reserves or they will fight in Civil Wars.
769046
I think there is a new world coming, I call it the future. I don't know if it will be better or worse than the world we have now. Bush will be out of office soon; that's one bright spot. I'm inclined to think it will be worse simply because there will be more people around in the future, and that can only spell trouble. As for what I'm doing to make it better...not much. I am trying not curse around children as often, I guess that's something.
591532
All be the same-doubtful. we are, and will always be different. However, i do think everyone will hear of mcdonalds or famous people one day. Technology is expanding. Anyone who lives in developed countries or has acces to the internet will have. Progress economically will match peoples knowledge. One day, everyone won't be able to drive for a few hours without passing fast food restaurants
1101008
My personal experience doesn't match yours. The majority of activists in my area are gen X and gen "Why?". The baby boomers are all busy with hip replacements around here.