UnWired Episode 17: Ben Sperling GenX OpEd
Generation X – The Greatest Generation For Today’s Problems - Podcast The Boomer Generation has been called the Greatest Generation. World War 2 babies, they worked hard, and had tight family units. People generally made sacarifies and put family first over their dreams. The second greatest Generation could be Generation X. Learned by example that hardwork, the value of the earning a dollar, and personal integrity like someone’s word is extremely important.
I maybe overstating the importance of this forgotten generation but maybe I am not. In times of crisis like now, the Gen Xers maybe perfect to rise to the call. I had the pleasure of reading an article from CityPaper.com by Courtney Dabney “It took a Pandemic But The Generation X in Finally Getting Some Love.”
Left at home alone while parents worked, so called latch key kids, we were survivors. We took take of ourselves. Boredom led to creativity. We may toys from sticks, built tree houses from spare wood we found construction sites.
We had to be patient because nothing was immediate. There were no DVRs for TV shows. If you missed your favorite Tv show, you didn’t get to see it until a re-run.
This no helicopter society lead to countless adventures during the day with my friends when I was young. The only rule was to be at home unharmed when the street lights came on. We were the generation of selt belt optional and very little political correctness. Entertainment like Monty Python, Sanford and Son, All in The Family capture everyones’s attention New was just the facts like Dano from Dragnet would say. Today’s news is so bias, the American people are trained not to think for themselves.
I would venture to say that Gen X is one of most self sufficient and free thinking generations thus far. So why does it make GenXers the perfect to survive a lockdown?
Patience from decades of boredom that lead to creativity. Millinials who have been wrapped up in social media, which I believe has led to the mental health issue “Fromo” The fear of missing out. Well right now, you aren’t missing out on anything.
My Clip of the day is from Farris Bullars Day Off. A cult classic from the 80’s. Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop of check it out, you will miss it.
Our current situation of sheltering in place is giving ever person a moment to slow down and figure out what means most to them. What will you want to spend your time on when we can leave our house.
— Ben Sperling