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scene from movie Reality Bites

“Reality Bites”: A Movie Review by a Gen Xer Seeing It for the First Time

Warning: This review may contain spoilers. If you have not yet seen the film and wish to see it unspoiled, consider watching it before continuing. The Reality Bites Generation Marketed and widely known as a Generation X movie, Reality Bites serves more as a snapshot in time for a coming-of-age generation. As a later-born Gen Xer, I can’t claim it represents well the generation as a whole. Rather, it beautifully represents a moment in American time that only Generation X experienced in a unique way. For those who were in… Read More »“Reality Bites”: A Movie Review by a Gen Xer Seeing It for the First Time

picture of novel, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture

Generation X Work-Related Vocabulary Terms and Their Definitions – from Douglas Coupland

In his novel, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, Douglas Coupland defines the generation in a number of ways. In fact, his novel effectively renamed the generation formerly known as the Baby Bust Generation. Coupland, and many other scholars, saw a generation of young adults who viewed careers and the workforce in an entirely different way than older generations. The novel shares a wealth of new vocabulary words and their definitions, fitting of this group in early adulthood. Here are some of the work-related terms. McJob: A low-pay, low-prestige,… Read More »Generation X Work-Related Vocabulary Terms and Their Definitions – from Douglas Coupland

two feet dangling in a pool

I’m the Girl Who Was Invisible for a Year. A True Story.

It started simple enough. Uneventful, really. My dad called home as he was leaving work and asked what we all wanted from a nearby fast food joint. It was 1990 and I had two working parents, so fast food was a staple. When one or both of my parents were working late, either fast food pickup or pizza delivery was on the menu. It kept us from having to eat dinner at 9 pm on a weeknight. That night, we made our requests and waited patiently for our dinner —… Read More »I’m the Girl Who Was Invisible for a Year. A True Story.

seeing eye artwork with people walking by

“It’s All Connected.” Why They Believe in Conspiracy Theories and You Don’t

In the late 1700s, an English doctor named Edward Jenner created the very first vaccine. The medical community suspected at that time that dairy farmers and milkmaids who were exposed to a relatively minor virus called Cowpox might be immune to the similar, but much more severe and deadly, virus Smallpox. The accepted method of inoculation from smallpox at the time was to inject the patient with a controlled amount of smallpox and allow them to recover from the infection. It was risky and uncomfortable. Jenner believed that infecting the… Read More »“It’s All Connected.” Why They Believe in Conspiracy Theories and You Don’t

Stylized Generation X on pink and blue background

Generation X “-isms” and Their Definitions – from Douglas Coupland

Douglas Coupland’s seminal novel, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, is widely believed to be the inspiration for the name given to our generation – those of us born between 1965 and 1979. The novel is unique and truly groundbreaking, offering a brand-new perspective on the emerging culture. The book is complete with a list of original vocabulary, necessary for understanding the mindset of this young generation navigating a changing society. Below is a list of “-isms” presented in the book and their corresponding definitions. Consensus Terrorism: The process… Read More »Generation X “-isms” and Their Definitions – from Douglas Coupland

scene from Slacker movie, two men walking and talking

“Slacker” Movie Review:  A Gen X First-Time Reaction to the Film that Gave Its Name to The Slacker Generation

First, a quick disclaimer:  This review may contain spoilers – if a plotless film can be spoiled. If you have not seen the movie, read at your own risk. Since I keep an all-things-generation-x blog, how could I get away with never having seen the movie Slacker, the film that supposedly gave Gen X its nickname, The Slacker Generation? The following is a review of the movie and my impressions of how it reflects on the generation that received its moniker. Uniquely Styled The film is unique in that it… Read More »“Slacker” Movie Review:  A Gen X First-Time Reaction to the Film that Gave Its Name to The Slacker Generation

"WE ARE HIRING" written on a chalkboard

How To Be A Great Boss: The Best Advice from the Best Bosses. Perspectives of a Middle Manager.

Middle management has a bad rap. I enjoy the role. You get the freedom and authority of being a boss while retaining the safety net of having a boss. It’s the best of both worlds! That is, of course, assuming you have a good boss. And, naturally, you also want to be the best possible boss you can be. Some say it’s actually the worst of both worlds. Being a boss is hard, and having a crappy boss just sucks. That is, unfortunately, also true. In my career, I’ve worked… Read More »How To Be A Great Boss: The Best Advice from the Best Bosses. Perspectives of a Middle Manager.

An upside down blue bucket and a red shovel on the sand

Bucket List Ideas for Generation X Only

Are you Generation X? Middle-aged, a little cynical, realistic, low in expectation, and a bit of a procrastinator? We are at the stage in our lives when, if we are ever going to write a bucket list, it’s now or never. But are we even a “bucket list” type of generation? I’m being a little cynical. Of course, we should have a bucket list! And that’s why I’ve generated this short list of ideas designed just for Gen X. It’s just a brainstorming exercise, think of it as a jumping-off… Read More »Bucket List Ideas for Generation X Only

Six people, diverse in age and ethnicity

Generational Stereotypes Chart

From the Lost Generation to Generation Alpha, every generational cohort has its stereotypical qualities. Comparing Generations Stereotypes are imperfect but sometimes useful. They can be used to make predictions or assumptions about large groups of people, but often fail when evaluating an individual. Generational studies look at those born within the same general timeframe, having lived through the same major childhood events and nationwide economic flux. When these events occur at similar times of developmental or career stages, they can have a widespread effect on the group. Individuals within a… Read More »Generational Stereotypes Chart

Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Ford and Carter

We Need a Generation X President But We Aren’t Going to Get One

At the time of this writing, it’s early 2024 and we are barreling toward a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump – the two oldest presidential nominees in the history of the United States. This is the second time Biden and Trump have been named the two oldest presidential nominees in U.S. history, so congrats to them on beating their own record? When I flip on or pull up the news, I hear most Americans crying out that these two candidates are too old for the job, and yet,… Read More »We Need a Generation X President But We Aren’t Going to Get One