Essential reading for oldies

Ever wondered what members of the younger generation think about their elders - the Baby Boomers who hold most of the power and control within our society? 

I've just been reading this book, written in 2006 by Ryan Heath, a young Australian ex-pat and former student activist, who has plenty to say on the topic.  He also tells us what's on the minds of some of his Generation X and Y compatriots ...  (my kids and yours, maybe?)

Sample quote - from one of the writer's colleagues -

• Boomers are sucking the blood out of X-ers.  We work like dogs, pay hideous rents, have no job secuirity, and are so exhausted we have no time any more to think, let alone raise questions about the status quo and take action.  Boomers aren't interested in us, except as a source of tax revenue for their pensions and looming health-care costs.  That's why they're freaked that we're not having babies.

There's plenty to think about in this book and I found little that I would disagree with. 

If what he says is a fair indication, when the Boomers finally move aside I reckon our country will be in pretty responsible hands.

Comments

[Tabor]

So, you are back and in good form. Hope your brief respite from blogging was restful.

[Anna]

Patience rewarded, I nearly took you off the blogroll last week. Glad you are back. I must get hold of this - some of the articles on his website are extremely interesting - and worrying. I have always felt grateful that I belonged to a uniquely lucky generation - no war at home, free education, health, the pill, continuing employment, equal opportunities, rising house prices at the right time, technology; experiencing all the benefits of progress while remembering the last sweet glimmers of the old, slower world. I hope what bit I leave won't have to be used for my care and can benefit the youngsters eventually. I understand their resentment entirely.

[kim]

oh good, so i didn't miss anything here while i was gone.
thanks for poking at the good doctor.
i'll be back and looking for more of your charm and wisdom too. and stuff about fruit i can't find over here.

[Tjilpi]

Bloody hell. I don't need this kind of irritation in my life. I was happy snoring in in deep winter covered in down duvet, and now people are trying to wake me from hibernation. All I can say is, Beware of a Bear with a Headache!

[Tjilpi]

* covered in my down duvet

[Walter Jeffries]

Um... The X-er's got a point. On top of that the Baby Boom Generation seems to want to micro-manage our lives. They think they invented everything and know best. It's annoying.