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This isn't just another cyclical generational war. Younger generations today are uniquely economically worse off than the older generations were at the same age

This isn't just another cyclical generational war. Younger generations today are uniquely economically worse off than the older generations were at the same age. If that's the case in 30-40 years once economic and governing power has transferred to today's younger generations, then the blame would be well deserved.

downerending 7y ago
I'm open to data and a serious analysis. That said, it's hard not to see such complaints as a combination of entitlement and cluelessness. As a Boomer, I never would have considered taking on college debt without a pretty clear analysis showing breakeven in a reasonable period. The idea of getting an arts degree crossed my mind, and I dismissed it as ridiculous within a couple of months. Most of my friends went straight into the military, the trades, or general employment. State college was for maybe the top 20%, and I'm not sure I even knew anyone that went to a name school. Work? Full time every summer starting at 16, and half time while school was in session. Housing? Live at home, or maybe the cheapest dorm. Car? Find a friend and give them gas money. Phone? Picture an Obama phone that's nailed to the kitchen wall and shared with three other people. By today's standards, Boomers were not well off. Even so, most of what I've earned has already been transferred to the following generation.
- jordandeang 7y ago
  https://www.newamerica.org/millennials/reports/emerging-millennial-wealth-gap/ https://www.newamerica.org/millennials/reports/emerging-mill... https://www.cbsnews.com/news/millennials-have-just-3-of-us-wealth-boomers-at-their-age-had-21/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/millennials-have-just-3-of-us-w... https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/07/for-most-us-workers-real-wages-have-barely-budged-for-decades/ https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/07/for-most-us... https://twitter.com/berniesanders/status/1121058539634593794 https://twitter.com/berniesanders/status/1121058539634593794 To approach these systemic issues as just the individual faults of young people is to essentially accept that these problems will never get better. That's the centrist boomer motto.
  - downerending 7y ago
    I wouldn't know, as I haven't been invited to their meetings. But seriously, I do accept that none of these problems will get better. The young and old are behaving as they always have and always will. As you get older, this becomes clearer, and the complaints of the young provoke a wry feeling when you remember issuing similar complaints yourself. If it makes you feel any better, most of the people on HN are considerably younger and higher paid than I am.
- frockington1 7y ago
  As a millennial I tend to agree. Anecdotal, but my friends that work hard and value money are becoming home owners and starting to raise a family. Those that focused on becoming an Instagram model are 80k in debt with nothing to show for it but a degree in Social 'Sciences'. I hope that the younger generations can see the traps millennials fell in to and plan accordingly

downerending 7y ago

I'm open to data and a serious analysis. That said, it's hard not to see such complaints as a combination of entitlement and cluelessness. As a Boomer, I never would have considered taking on college debt without a pretty clear analysis showing breakeven in a reasonable period. The idea of getting an arts degree crossed my mind, and I dismissed it as ridiculous within a couple of months. Most of my friends went straight into the military, the trades, or general employment. State college was for maybe the top 20%, and I'm not sure I even knew anyone that went to a name school. Work? Full time every summer starting at 16, and half time while school was in session. Housing? Live at home, or maybe the cheapest dorm. Car? Find a friend and give them gas money. Phone? Picture an Obama phone that's nailed to the kitchen wall and shared with three other people. By today's standards, Boomers were not well off. Even so, most of what I've earned has already been transferred to the following generation.

jordandeang 7y ago
https://www.newamerica.org/millennials/reports/emerging-millennial-wealth-gap/ https://www.newamerica.org/millennials/reports/emerging-mill... https://www.cbsnews.com/news/millennials-have-just-3-of-us-wealth-boomers-at-their-age-had-21/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/millennials-have-just-3-of-us-w... https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/07/for-most-us-workers-real-wages-have-barely-budged-for-decades/ https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/07/for-most-us... https://twitter.com/berniesanders/status/1121058539634593794 https://twitter.com/berniesanders/status/1121058539634593794 To approach these systemic issues as just the individual faults of young people is to essentially accept that these problems will never get better. That's the centrist boomer motto.
- downerending 7y ago
  I wouldn't know, as I haven't been invited to their meetings. But seriously, I do accept that none of these problems will get better. The young and old are behaving as they always have and always will. As you get older, this becomes clearer, and the complaints of the young provoke a wry feeling when you remember issuing similar complaints yourself. If it makes you feel any better, most of the people on HN are considerably younger and higher paid than I am.
frockington1 7y ago
As a millennial I tend to agree. Anecdotal, but my friends that work hard and value money are becoming home owners and starting to raise a family. Those that focused on becoming an Instagram model are 80k in debt with nothing to show for it but a degree in Social 'Sciences'. I hope that the younger generations can see the traps millennials fell in to and plan accordingly