The Duck And Cover Generation
 

Everybody is trying to make sense out of the the "Baby Boomers" coming of age party in the 1960s. The cause of this tumultuous decade of upheaval and change is no real mystery. The stage was inevitably set nearly 20 years before on August 6th 1945. The "Baby Boomers" are the first generation in the history of mankind to ONLY have known a world where man could cause a mass extinction of his own species. That existential anxiety caused the Baby Boomers to question and challenge the existing order of society that previous generations were content to accept. No longer did the old order apply in this new uncertain world where tomorrow might never come. This new frenetic dynamic has been the hallmark of the "Baby Boomers" lives. Therefore to call this first generation of uncertainty the "Baby Boomers" is a misnomer, they should be called the DUCK AND COVER GENERATION.

Dr. Spocks book had nothing to do with it...nothing...

Would your generation please stand to the right on escalators? You people seem to have the idea that just because the stairs are moving that you can stop walking. Your kids are trying to pick up where your parents left off and get some work done.

Thanks in advance.

You guys are on drugs. The boomers only failure was that they didn't emphasize zero/negative population growth along with shaking up the system, free love, and exploratory pharmacutical consumption. If we would have, then we'd have fewer smartasses giving us crap on PPOT threads today. Oh well, live and learn. :p

No, the Boomers were on drugs.

They invented the concept that personal happiness trumps everything else, be it their children's wellbeing or everyone else's freedom.

They grossly expanded social entitlements that my generation will have to pay for.

They are all talk an no action. They see the 1st Amendment as an absolute right and the 2nd Amendment as an outdated concept.

They are supremely confident that they are right about everything. When a concept is proven conclusively wrong, the person who conducted the study is obviously biased--or it just needs more time and more money to work right.

They are not responsible for anything. It was a violent videogame/movie, a bad upbringing, not enough money, or too much money that caused whatever bad situation they are in. They shouldn't be expected to pay for college, for their kid's food, for their own healthcare, for their housing, for their credit card debt. It wasn't their fault!

Agree with Chris.

The Baby Boom was probably one of the single worst things to happen to the USA and set the stage for what we have today, which I believe is its twilight and eventual collapse.

That's some of the most stupid generalizations I've ever seen on this BBS, Chris. Perhaps you're talking from your own experience, I cannot comment on that. My experience and my friends' experiences are quite different. We worked our asses off and spent more time with our kids than our parents did, in spite of both parents working due to the decline in the standard of living one could realize with a single income. Our kids are all very successful. We are all very proud of them. We also helped (or continue to) support our elderly parents. It's not easy but you do these things for family.

Most of us have evolved into political moderates or conservatives. Many of us can see things from more points of view than what some of the younger posters here seem to be able to grasp. The amount of social entitlements have diminished during our lifetimes. I know very few people who are in debt, though I wouldn't be surprised if nationwide, there is a wide range of financial conditions for boomers, just any other generation before (probably after) them.

You sound like a bitter person, Chris. You also sound immature. Please redirect your hate towards something more positive. Please grow up.

No, I think the (neoconservative's) fascism / US imperialism since WWII / ill-managed globalization that we've seen lately is the biggest risk to our country's future well being.

Cmon ...don't stray off topic so rapidly.

The 'rug doctor' is pointing out that MY generation was the first to grow up with the BOMB ...as an absolute in our future. The implication is that EVERY decision thereafter (regarding our dealings with other countries) is based on the possibility of global, human destruction.

'Duck and Cover' was taught in school in the 1950's. (As if crawling under your tiny wooden desk and placing your hands over your head would aid you in living through the 'Ruskies' nuclear bombs falling on the playground outside.)

The 1960's (Viet Nam) was OUR first big test. Protester's, riots, JFK/ MLK killed ...et al. Tune in ..drop out!

So how did we do?;)

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[EDIT] Cursed embeded videos. I can't get it to work properly - try this one: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/153512/duck_and_cover/

Sense or Cents? Forget boys clothing, we should be designing fashion-forward Depends. :D

Agree with Frogger above on every point.

We need Frogger/Moneyguy ticket for 08 (you guys can determine who drives)

They shouldn't bother- they would be running against me. I am a shoe-in for sure.

I'm voting for rammstein. :)

just make sure they have Cabinet positions then.

I think PPOT would be the cabinet.

are you an anarchist?:D

Gas, Grass or Ass
Nobody Rides for Free!

I'll tell ya. If you want to walk up the stairs, use the ones that don't move. :)


Oh and as far as work, all I see behind me is a bunch of whiners and people who think they deserve more than they are getting.

Yep, winning the cold war without destroying mankind, going to the moon and giving gen x & y the opportunity to whine incessantly about their angst & brag about computer game scores.

Not much in the line of accomplishment for the duck & coverers.

ROFLMAO! You nailed it, Mule. :D