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The modern media love these kinds of stories because they sell! BTW, I'm a Gen-X'er and my kids are Gen-Z, so with that perspective in mind, here's my take on

The modern media love these kinds of stories because they sell! BTW, I'm a Gen-X'er and my kids are Gen-Z, so with that perspective in mind, here's my take on the situation. The millennials have "lost hope" in the future because they're the first generation in American history who will fair worse than their parents did. Of course there are exceptions, many of us here on HN being those exceptions. But overall, the generation is fairing worse. They were sold a pipe dream and are now realizing they're screwed. I don't think we've scratched the surface of understanding what the impacts that realization will bring to the society at large. Gen-Z, by watching the Millennials, have learned much earlier on that they're screwed. So they've adopted a "fsck this sh1t!" attitude and are looking to be an extremely disruptive generation because, well, what have they got to lose? They largely blame the Boomers for the majority of the problems we have today. Gen-Z looks warily on Gen-X. I don't think they realize how apathetic this generation is. The Boomers have been the dominant force throughout our lives and we always knew there would be a day of reckoning. It was obvious to us back in the 80's that an aging Boomer generation would be a problem, we just underestimated how big of a problem it would be. Anyway, I see Gen-Z giving the Millennials the kick in the pants they need to get to work to right this ship. The work will get significantly easier as the Boomers die out.

s1artibartfast 4y ago
I agree with much of your sentiment about genZ disillusionment, but it also goes hand in hand with a lot of self sabotaging traits such as Rage, pessimism, and trained helplessness. I am concerned that some negative cultural feedback loops have been engaged. Not saying this as a way to blame, they are after all, a product of their cultural environment, but not all stories have happy endings, ours included. To be honest, it reminds me a lot of personal depression, where the natural response for most people exacerbates the problem. Once the feedback loops kick in, is very difficult to halt the progression
jfengel 4y ago
Note: as far as Gen-Z is concerned, we Gen-Xers are Boomers. Any distinction is largely irrelevant. We are only marginally less to blame for Gen-Z's problems, if at all. We weren't voting in the 1970s and 80s that really set the pattern for what we see today, but we did benefit from it and acquiesce to it. Our numbers made it harder to take the reins when it was our turn, but there are still an awful lot of Gen X-ers in Congress failing to fix anything. Maybe as the Boomers die off, we'll do something (like finally get a chance for a Gen X President). But we should not disclaim responsibility and point fingers at the Boomers, because we're complicit.

s1artibartfast 4y ago

I agree with much of your sentiment about genZ disillusionment, but it also goes hand in hand with a lot of self sabotaging traits such as Rage, pessimism, and trained helplessness. I am concerned that some negative cultural feedback loops have been engaged. Not saying this as a way to blame, they are after all, a product of their cultural environment, but not all stories have happy endings, ours included. To be honest, it reminds me a lot of personal depression, where the natural response for most people exacerbates the problem. Once the feedback loops kick in, is very difficult to halt the progression

jfengel 4y ago

Note: as far as Gen-Z is concerned, we Gen-Xers are Boomers. Any distinction is largely irrelevant. We are only marginally less to blame for Gen-Z's problems, if at all. We weren't voting in the 1970s and 80s that really set the pattern for what we see today, but we did benefit from it and acquiesce to it. Our numbers made it harder to take the reins when it was our turn, but there are still an awful lot of Gen X-ers in Congress failing to fix anything. Maybe as the Boomers die off, we'll do something (like finally get a chance for a Gen X President). But we should not disclaim responsibility and point fingers at the Boomers, because we're complicit.