As a Definite Boomer (1956) I was pleased to see you draw some clear lines of distinction between us and you Maybes. For the record, my cultural touchstones were the following...
Vietnam: Scared shitless I was going to get drafted and much more so when in early 1975 I drew #4 in the lottery. Less so since the draft authority had expired in 1973.
Music: Born to be Wild and Peace Train, which makes no sense at all.
Politics: Carter as well, but for me it was turning down the thermostat and putting on a sweater.
Drugs: I absolutely turned on, tuned in, and dropped out in 1976, then went back to college two years later when I decided working in a can factory was not the pinnacle of self-realization.
So, to summarize, I'm a Definite Boomer but a Maybe American (2016, 2024).
I'm a baby boomer--December 1956. I heard a story today about boomer wealth. I found it hilarious. Lumping everyone together is lazy thinking. Dad was a teacher and we were, as Mom put it, the genteel poor. Without boring everyone to tears, I will assure you that we had no extra money. I learned at a early age to not ask for anything. "Life is hard; learn it now, kid."
Boom, nailed it Jack. I was born in '51. Those early years we led a near cliché Rockwell life until 1960. Dad was in the Air Force, and with us in tow, we spent three years in Japan. Both parents, east coasters, were big Kennedy fans. I clearly recall in 1962 when dad disappeared for days at the airbase during the Cuban Missile Crisis — we military brats knew exactly what was in store if that 'button' got pushed. We got back in Aug. 1963. Whether it was the difficult adjustment back to stateside life, or entering junior high, or Dealey Plaza, that was the year I felt someone slammed the pedal to the metal, and we haven't slowed down since.
I completely agree with the squishy gray area between generations. Although there's nearly seven years plus between myself and WWII and even greater span to the Great Depression, I have always had a solid affinity with those years. Why? Because of my parents. That transfer of their intimate life experiences through countless family conversations can't help but leave one with the sensation of actually having lived during that time. There are definitive generational divides but they become quite muddy in the intervening years.
Really wouldn't have wanted to be born at any other time.
Simply playing, "inventing" and entertaining ourselves led to Imagination development.
Sure, there were terrible things happening in the sixties - but we felt safe in suburban St. Paul (near where you grew up). My draft number was in the high 300s - and the war was winding down - yeah, that was scary, but I missed it without even faking bone spurs.
This afternoon I visited the Portland (OR) Art Museum with several somewhat younger friends to see a R&R poster exhibit.
I just deleted the rest of the events I recounted from that pivotal era in American culture and politics that I was lucky(?) enough to be an active part of. It all sounded so maudlin, unlikely and ancient. Nice piece you wrote.
Born in 1960 and agree with you. Friends that are 5 years older than us grew up in a different world.
In some ways the generational windows are being shortened.
The period from the invention of the radio to its distribution to 50 million listeners lasted 38 years. The television - introduced 25 years later needed only 13 years to achieve this. The internet went from the first to 50 millionth connection in barely 4 years. Chat GPT had 100 million users in 9 weeks. Technology is accelerating faster and faster creating, for many, a fatigue in the pace of life.
Definite Boomer here (1950). Will remember Nov. 22, 1963 forever: The saddest day of my life up to that point. My dreams burst. Reality set in of just how ugly our country could be. Wonder how many of us at some point will also need to find a bunker at an undisclosed location.
As a Definite Boomer (1956) I was pleased to see you draw some clear lines of distinction between us and you Maybes. For the record, my cultural touchstones were the following...
Vietnam: Scared shitless I was going to get drafted and much more so when in early 1975 I drew #4 in the lottery. Less so since the draft authority had expired in 1973.
Music: Born to be Wild and Peace Train, which makes no sense at all.
Politics: Carter as well, but for me it was turning down the thermostat and putting on a sweater.
Drugs: I absolutely turned on, tuned in, and dropped out in 1976, then went back to college two years later when I decided working in a can factory was not the pinnacle of self-realization.
So, to summarize, I'm a Definite Boomer but a Maybe American (2016, 2024).
Greetings, earthlings
I'm a baby boomer--December 1956. I heard a story today about boomer wealth. I found it hilarious. Lumping everyone together is lazy thinking. Dad was a teacher and we were, as Mom put it, the genteel poor. Without boring everyone to tears, I will assure you that we had no extra money. I learned at a early age to not ask for anything. "Life is hard; learn it now, kid."
Time marches on.
Welcome to our planet, where we engage in maudlin reminiscences.
Boom, nailed it Jack. I was born in '51. Those early years we led a near cliché Rockwell life until 1960. Dad was in the Air Force, and with us in tow, we spent three years in Japan. Both parents, east coasters, were big Kennedy fans. I clearly recall in 1962 when dad disappeared for days at the airbase during the Cuban Missile Crisis — we military brats knew exactly what was in store if that 'button' got pushed. We got back in Aug. 1963. Whether it was the difficult adjustment back to stateside life, or entering junior high, or Dealey Plaza, that was the year I felt someone slammed the pedal to the metal, and we haven't slowed down since.
I completely agree with the squishy gray area between generations. Although there's nearly seven years plus between myself and WWII and even greater span to the Great Depression, I have always had a solid affinity with those years. Why? Because of my parents. That transfer of their intimate life experiences through countless family conversations can't help but leave one with the sensation of actually having lived during that time. There are definitive generational divides but they become quite muddy in the intervening years.
Proud Boomer (1953)
Really wouldn't have wanted to be born at any other time.
Simply playing, "inventing" and entertaining ourselves led to Imagination development.
Sure, there were terrible things happening in the sixties - but we felt safe in suburban St. Paul (near where you grew up). My draft number was in the high 300s - and the war was winding down - yeah, that was scary, but I missed it without even faking bone spurs.
I find today much more terrifying for all of us.
But, this too shall pass.
Right?
There won't be enough "secure, undisclosed locations" when the massive need arises.
This afternoon I visited the Portland (OR) Art Museum with several somewhat younger friends to see a R&R poster exhibit.
I just deleted the rest of the events I recounted from that pivotal era in American culture and politics that I was lucky(?) enough to be an active part of. It all sounded so maudlin, unlikely and ancient. Nice piece you wrote.
I know the feeling , Jim.
Born in 1960 and agree with you. Friends that are 5 years older than us grew up in a different world.
In some ways the generational windows are being shortened.
The period from the invention of the radio to its distribution to 50 million listeners lasted 38 years. The television - introduced 25 years later needed only 13 years to achieve this. The internet went from the first to 50 millionth connection in barely 4 years. Chat GPT had 100 million users in 9 weeks. Technology is accelerating faster and faster creating, for many, a fatigue in the pace of life.
I know buddy. I get exhausted by, well, everything that isn’t fishing gear.
Definite Boomer here (1950). Will remember Nov. 22, 1963 forever: The saddest day of my life up to that point. My dreams burst. Reality set in of just how ugly our country could be. Wonder how many of us at some point will also need to find a bunker at an undisclosed location.