Why Boomers Don't Get Millennials

[@StepBackHistory]

If you liked this video, I have a playlist of videos when History and the News meet. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4rLhXyteblmf5o

[@markbenjamin4467]

Step Back History have you ever heard of monster of heckle Island and what other thoughts on bitcoin and all the other all the coins and what it it's a rebuttal against the banking system or just a new? PS I have Big Y and some old coins Buy Low sell High

[@threadbearr8866]

"I got a place in their 'influencer program', I hope that's the last time I have to say that word" LMAO! Yep that's subscribe worthy and yeah I'll check those out.

[@auditedpatriot6376]

It's not Step Back History, it's bullocks fairey story history. First, WWII was a war between several powerful Socialist dictatorships, including Fascist Italy (real live Fascists) National Socialist Germans and their allies, the Feudalistic Imperial Japanese against the remaining four free market democracies that were still alive in 1941, not including China. The Soviet Socialists first sided with their Socialist comrades, the NAZIs, but then the two Socialist powers predictably went at each other. Income inequality has existed for as long as one guy, by skill and ambition, could raise more goats than the guy next door. Babe Ruth made an unbelievable $80,000 per year when my forefathers were literally starving on a draught stricken farm in the midwest. My father held over 50 jobs in his lifetime, building skills and connections to make a living for 6 children. I picked fruit, my caucasian American friends picked fruit, enough fruit to buy a car, then I painted houses for the minimum wage and got a semesters worth of college tuition. Then I learned a skill and eventually saved enough working for others to buy my own business. There are over a million jobs in America today in need of skilled labor. Welders, painters mechanics, but you need to show up on time, do a day's work and put your social justice blabber back up the oriface it fell out of. I have tried hiring millennials. They don't want to do "boring" things that make the railroad run on time. It is a generation trained for nothing. In my trips to China, I see well paid, well fed people doing your jobs at the GM plant. They don't sue if their feelings are hurt, and since there is only one race, there is no discrimination. And if you complain that the Communist party boss who signed off the project is a billionaire, good luck with that.

[@pdoylemi]

As one of the last of the Boomers (1962), I agree with a lot of this, but I think it is oversimplified, and the portrait of the 50s and 60s a bit rosier than reality. When I was growing up, the idea of a two car family was rare, getting a TV was a major investment, and oil was not cheap at all compared to average incomes, and cars guzzled the stuff. Long car trips were rare for that reason, and the comparative unreliability of the cars. Air travel was not for the common person - that's why we talked about "the Jet Set". Interest rates were lower, but higher than today. But the jobs are a big problem - and as you said, mostly due to automation. But also, the Reagan era destroyed unions as much as economic changes. In the 70s and early 80s, fuel prices were high enough that international shipping was still a barrier to outsourcing to some extent, but with larger, more efficient ships and cheap fuel, that barrier fell. Where I think we missed the boat was in the 1980s, when Europe and the USA were such a MASSIVE proportion of the market for goods, that a cooperative policy demanding higher wages and better working conditions for foreign workers might have worked. Not a matter of tariffs, but simply, meet minimum standards or you sell nothing in the USA or Europe. But that ship has sailed now, and GOP policies seem geared toward continuing the race to the bottom for workers. On the flip side, the internet has opened up new opportunities undreamed of in my youth. My niece never finished college, but got a contractor's license and discovered that she had a flair for design - especially with kitchens and baths and tile work. She is very successful with a website where people submit their floorplans to her, and she works up 3D models of designs for the finished product, and working with suppliers and contractors around the country, can have a custom new build or remodel done. She's done jobs in 38 states without ever leaving San Diego (or rarely) and makes more money at 31 than I did at 50 with a degree.

[@studmalexy]

sorry dude..you made a few good points but have to give a thumbs down for the socialist agenda push

[@darthvador3699]

Why aren't millennials buying houses or diamonds? 1: We're broke 2: Even if we weren't we know diamonds are just overpriced rocks dug up by slaves

[@htoodoh5770]

Darth Vador Diamond are actually very useful. Only 20% of diamond are used in jewelry.

[@donovan5656]

Except those arent the diamonds in question. Normal consumers buy jewelry diamonds, and industrial diamonds arent nearly as expensive.

[@grandsome1]

Diamond is just high pressured carbon, which you can find traces under every mountains, it's not that rare.

[@yoleeisbored]

@@grandsome1 lmfao diamonds look like a piece of glass too. Can get much cheap stone ring for less that looks better

[@ernestschultz5065]

Millennials. Walking around like they rent the place.

[@Animethighsxd]

Lol

[@tiad.9536]

Makin' big money, got this shit on lease.

[@wattson861]

Haha nice

[@zetsumeinaito]

Too bad it's just as expensive to rent as it is to pay a mortgage in my area. In fact my city is depopulating. Just can't get that 30% income to rent/mortgage round here on a solo job. People workin and living with fam still seems to be getting more popular.

[@codyofathens3397]

Bwhahahahah!

[@mydadneverlovedme8567]

Maybe if we didn't have a 700,000,000,000$ defense budget, people would make more?

[@smallmj2886]

I found a huge difference in the labour market between the mid 80s and the 90s. When I was in high school and university in the late 80s to mid 90s, it was VERY difficult to find a job. My friend who is 9 years older than me was among the last people in a labour market where anyone with a BA was guaranteed a good career. Even his high school jobs were easy pickings. The frustrating thing is that a lot of career counselling is based on career data for people who are 50+ now. There is still a faulty assumption in some circles that any university degree is a ticket to the good life. This has led to nearly two generations of people with massive debts and iffy job prospects in their 20s and 30s..

[@PCoutcast]

I live in a university town and even cashier jobs at the mall advertise "university degree required". I think the ONLY option for up and coming kids is to go into business for themselves.

[@davidschlessinger9945]

Gen Xer here born in the mid seventies (1974). As is frequently the case in these types of videos, we aren't mentioned in the war between millennials and baby boomers. We're the smaller generation sandwiched in between. However, we've been screwed over by the bad economy much longer than Millennials. When the economy crashed in 2008, that was during the prime of our career years. We also had 2001 happen in our career years; in fact there have been about 7-8 recessions in my lifetime. Many of us are saddled with student loan debt; housing which has become totally unaffordable and outrageously expensive; a decline in jobs and real wages, lack of benefits; you name it. We can be allies of Millennials; but frankly I've also seen Millennials attempt to leapfrog Gen X in their careers. It's similar to how the baby boomers never mention the Silent Generation, the great generation which came before them; many of the artists we associate with the 60s, as well as the social movements of that time, were actually Silent Generationals not baby boomers

[@bighandsomehoosier]

David Schlessinger I too am from Gen X, the lost generation, shoved into corners and we were the ones that had antidepressants, and other mood altering substances tested on us, until they perfected the dosages for Millenials.

[@dsmitty5569]

Excellent analysis.

[@bradleyanderson4315]

Coming on the tail end of the baby boomers(born in 1960), 2008 was where I qualified for a moderate pension. It wasn't enough to live one and there were NO consulting jobs for anybody in my field. That meant I was one of those Boomers who wouldn't get out of the way and make a space for an Xer or older millennial. Fortunately I had taken my 453C out of stocks and put it into bonds 4 months before the crash. Then Obama took over and his new regulations made my job pure Hades for the next 7 years, no raises and talk every day of job cuts to boot. Finally I had enough saved and passed my job on to an Xer.

[@jaklumen]

Gen Xer here, born very same year (1974). One thing I've never seen mentioned often- my extended family straddles Silent, Boomer, Boomer Echo, Generation X, and Millennial. My wife is 5 years older than me and her parents are roughly ten years older than mine. I see differences between our parents. Her siblings are mostly straight Gen X in attitudes, while the youngest of my 3 younger sisters (born 1981) shows a few so-called Millennial tendencies, even though she might still be counted Gen X. I don't think the proposed dates for each generation always fit neatly.

[@menopassini9348]

The artist and radical thinkers that gave us the hippie generation of the 60's was the Beat Generation. The Slilent Generation was any thing but Silent, they were the Roaring Twentys and a Big Union movement. That was my Dad's generation, they wanted to stay out of wars, make money and live the so-called American dream. There were socialist/Racial thinkers that hooked themselves to the Union movement, but the Avg. Worker only cared about was the $$$ and time off to spend it. The Silent generation and Millennials are similar because they want wage growth, new experiences, anti -war, training or education, moblie, dealing with immigration issues, Boom/Bust economy . The Beat generation and the Hippies are just movements within a large generation.

[@carboy101]

Diamonds are a huge waste of money to begin with.

[@shadenox8164]

Yep DeBeers artificial scarcity scam was a huge success with the Boomers, not so much in the generations after.

[@tiad.9536]

I know, right. The earth just shits them out all the time.

[@htoodoh5770]

Diamond are actually useful. Only 20% are use in Jewelry.

[@charlestownsend9280]

espeacially since you can just make them.

[@mysteryguy793]

@@shadenox8164 shits them? they're not poop

[@menopassini9348]

My Dad was 30 yr. old underpaided, over worked factory employee at Dodge's Hamtramck plant in1937. What did they do? They took over the whole factory complex with a sit down strike. They even had Bands and entertainers to break up the boredom of the long strike. GM and Ford workers did the same. It spread across the country, even waitreeses in diners went on strike. This is how the Auto workers got a livable wage w/ benefits. That was the rise of the strong unions.

[@christianlibertarian5488]

Meno Passini . Note that the Hamtramck plant your Dad worked at is now a hulking concrete wasteland. The Detroit auto companies are way down, while the non-union companies are eating their lunch. When was the last time you bought a Ford, and not a Toyota?

[@menopassini9348]

Christian Libertarian You missed the whole point, it was about worker's rights and a living wage. Americans are complaining about wage growth for the Avg. Worker. It's not about who builds more cars. Toyota pays about $17.00 per hr. So does Tier 2 GM Auto Union contracts. Asia Auto makers are usually in "right to work states" where it's harder for workers to set-up Unions. Southern states were never strong holds for Unions. I drive a Ford F150 the most popular pick-up and buying a new GMC 2500HD. I think Chevy makes the no. 2 pick-up in the U.S. Chevy's new EV Bolt forced Nissan to up grade their old EV Leaf, but for 2018 the Leaf still doesn't have the Bolt's range or torque. The Bolt was the 2017 car of the Year and considered a game changer. Competition is good, hopefully Auto workers will make more money. 2016 World Auto production. money.cnn.com/2017/02/07/news/companies/gm-record-sales-profits/index.html

[@menopassini9348]

ukkr Iam sorry I don't understand your comment.

[@TheShowThatSUX]

+Meno Passini, actually you missed the whole point. Your dad stole prosperity he did not create, his job paid the price for that theft. And the generations that come after him get the bill for what he stole. Honestly this whole "worker's rights and a living wage" crap makes me sick. It care not if you contribute $8/hour: you just demand 15/hour+, you and your dad could care less who you steal the other $7/hour from, as long as you get it you could care less who it comes from or at what price, nor do you care about who it harms. The gread of it makes me so sick!!! Omstead of trying to figuer out how to screw your boss and steal from mangment and the consume, spend your enrgy on making sure both of them win so they want you to also.

[@OneEyeShadow]

Unions are a essentially free market solution to companies. They give workers leveraging power over companies in terms of withholding labour, where companies have leveraging power over workers in terms of setting employment/payment/benefits. Nobody stole anything from the company. The company is not more entitled to labour than the laborers are to decent pay. I find it strange that you argue that surely a thriving company will inherently compensate its workforce better, I mean they really have no incentive to pay them better just because they could. What real life company does that? And I don't understand how you can argue against a Living Wage. I mean, do you want the government to subsidize laborers wages with food stamps and such? I guess you're probably a libertarian (or making a straw-man of one), so do you want them to slowly starve instead since below-living wage is all they have? PS: Your troll comment got a rise out of me. So as far as that's concerned, yes, you win :P

[@motormaker]

Fear not millennials. I am a gen-Xer. Back in the 90’s we were known ,to boomers, as slackers. We were told we were lazy and we ruined everything. Now we’re in our 40’s and the boomers have turned their vitriol on you. You are in good company my friends.

[@fancymcclean6210]

As a bona fide 'Boomer' I can see how economic forces beyond our control have shaped our lives, both Boomers, and Millenials. I'm a typical Boomer: good job, financially secure and contemplating a quiet retirement. My kids (Millennials) are crippled with college debt and are unable to find work suited to their educational status. Thus, they earn low pay in the service industries. I think the Boomer generation is an economic aberration that is unlikely to repeat. Sadly our kids growing up in a nice middle-class environment had expectations for the same. Let's stop blaming the generations and come to see that we are all powerless to influence macroeconomic forces. I despair for the future. Flaxen Saxon

[@Ididntchoosethisname]

It's also really hard to put into words just how wealthy and set-up the US was, coming out of WW2 winning. All of their competitors from before the war were wrecked. Britain was broker than broke, and had had it's industry destroyed by years of bombing and had suffered years of shortages by u-boat blockade. It's a similar tale for Germany, France and Japan. The US was uncontested, and in a position to buy up the world. We will forever be grateful for the marshall plan, which as noted by 'Step Back History' in the end probably did a lot to boost the US in effect too. But even then the UK only finished paying the war debt in 2006. That's 60 years of debt, 3 generations all paying it off. The British government continued food rationing into 1954. Almost 9 years after the war and blockades had ended. Even then like the US, the boomers here lived it up pretty well in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Hell the USA would still be living the good life, if it hadn't had it's political system rotted away with trickle down economics since the 80s. Like he said, inequality or lack thereof had a large part to play in it. The good days could return, the wealth hasn't disappeared. If people started to mobilise and actually work towards their collective interests. But the 1%'s strategy of divide and rule has been remarkably successful.

[@CountArtha]

Wow. That's very mature, self-aware, and introspective of you. . . . . Are you SURE you're a Boomer? :P

[@fancymcclean6210]

Yea a very smart and highly educated Boomer. Ain't dat the sad truth?

[@ginamori8656]

Fancy McClean true 41 years old and single mom and college debt 40,000 in debt

[@rubencollegeabq]

We are not powerless! With enough people, we can wrest power from the hands of those who profit off our poverty!

[@Phrenotopia]

Baby Boomers didn't get Millenials. They got Generation X'ers. Duh!

[@iammrbeat]

When a mommy Baby Boomer and daddy Baby Boomer get together, they usually get millenials ;)

[@Pfhorrest]

Yeah cultural "generations" don't often line up with actual family generations. Only younger Millennials have Gen X parents; older ones have Baby Boomer parts. Only young Gen Xers (the parents of the young Millennials) have Baby Boomer parents. Older Gen Xers have Silent Generation parents. E.g. I'm an old Millennial, my youngest aunt is mid-Gen X, my mom (the oldest sibling of her family) is a young Baby Boomer, my grandma is an OLD Baby Boomer, and my grandpa is a young Silent Generation.

[@JoannaWagnerClaireSangre]

Maybe some early Boomers did but at least on the Coast we were slow to reproduce. We were kinda busy with sex, drugs and rock n' roll . Who wants to interrupt a party to change diapers?

[@RETROGEMS]

@@Pfhorrest True. Most millennials born in the 1980s were born to Boomer parents, that was the case for me and most of the kids of my generation...

[@katherinemorelle7115]

Victoria Grace that’s true. I’m an aberration. I’m born 87, my parents are gen X, and my mum’s mum was a boomer. My daughter is a Gen Z. It’s pretty rare for a family to hit all the generations though

[@benw9949]

I'm between the Baby Boomers and the Millenials, I think. (Born in the mid to late 1960's.) Much of my adult life has been spent, first working for my parents, then watching their health go, then taking care of my grandmother, which basically wiped me out. Now I'm over 50 and worried about my future, income, and health, and hey, I've always been handicapped. -- My parents made several mistakes in helping me prepare for my future, and life then piled on top of that. -- I don't get the dislike toward today's kids and teens, or the Millenials and GenX'ers. They said the same crap about my generation or the 60's/70's kids before me. -- But the thing is, within my lifetime, I've seen just how that American Dream and reality are in danger of slipping away entirely, through no fault of any young person who's out there working, getting an education, starting a family, or dealing with his/her aging relatives. This is not easy, and big business and government don't seem to care at all anymore, as long as they can get money out of the little guy, and we're in danger of losing the middle class. I want a future for myself when I'm old. I want a family and a support system and savings and income and a decent job for as long as I can work. I want this also for people I care about, and those kids growing up in a world where it seems like, more and more, that the economy and politics and religion have grown terribly unstable and unsupportive of everyday people who want a decent life. So...yeah, I'm disgruntled, and I don't remember when I was gruntled, or even if that was ever a thing. I still think most people aren't so bad, and many are pretty good. So...yeah.

[@glenmurie]

Likewise. I'm on the older end of Generation X (born in the 1970's) and our generation, as a whole, got screwed into the ground just as hard. We saw Reagan elected by Boomers demanding that their taxes be cut, unions be busted, and that social services and education be slashed. When we started college, the Clintons deregulated Sallie Mae, creating syndicates of banks and colleges who's only goal seemed to be driving up cost of education to leave us graduating with piles of debt. Hence the disillusion with both parties. Yet our parents raised us to believe that if you went to university and worked hard, you would see the same economic rewards that they reaped. At least Millennials know it's a sham, and won't be wasting a decade or two wondering why they can't get ahead no matter how hard they attempt to follow the lessons of the prior generation.

[@stalemateib3600]

//I'm between the Baby Boomers and the Millenials, I think. (Born in the mid to late 1960's.) // Sounds like you're on the border between Late Boomer and early Gen X. //I don't get the dislike toward today's kids and teens, or the Millennials and GenX'ers// Bottom line: Few commonalities and less emotional connection. Longer explanation: Different cultures (including different music, different technology use, etc.). Different life choices. The effects of the destruction of the traditional family unit. The effects of the destruction of the education system. Really, the Boomers lived in a different world. Even the USA was really quite different even in the 1990s than it is today, if you think about it. The rise of quality internet access for the masses has changed a lot in that regard. What did the destruction of the traditional family unit bring? Emotional distance between the Millennials and the Boomers. Probably less face-to-face communication between them, like the boomers were used to when they grew up. What did the destruction of the education system do? Swathes of people, including many boomers even, don't really have a solid grasp on economics and liberty; the understanding of history is lackluster among many of the younger folk. And now, thanks to Common Core, even the math is meh. Even this video creator doesn't seem to have a solid grasp on economics. But whatever. If more people understood economics, more would be politically Right-wing, in the genuine sense of the term (patriarchal, producer-centric, pragmatic), as well as consistent in at least somewhat libertarian policies as well. But I digress.

[@kvltizt]

Gen X understands what we're going through. Boomers lived so long they did it to both of us.

[@ginamori8656]

Ben W beautifully put please be a speaker of the house at least your being realistic and fair.

[@timchapel8268]

Being born in 1955 you make a lot of good points. Thank you?

[@StepBackHistory]

Hope you didn't take offense, just wanted to bridge the understanding divide.

[@timchapel8268]

Sorry I used a question mark.

[@iammrbeat]

Being an older millennial, man do I appreciate that you made this video. I agree that income inequality is an alarming trend that is not benefiting the modern economy. However, Keynesianism is alive and well. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve continues to provide historically low interest rates and promotes deficit spending to stimulate economic growth. Some economists argue this has caused quite the investment bubble, especially in the stock market. Those who benefit from this system are mostly the wealthy, who already have the assets to take big risks with. I don't have all the solutions, but I don't think it's fair to credit Keynesianism for all of that 1950s/60s prosperity.

[@vuk911]

Deficit spending? Sure, but not for the roads and factories, but mostly for the military... 30s-70s Keynesianism created a lot of well paying jobs, while this version of it (I've heard people calling it "war Keynesianism" or "military Keynesianism") provides profit for CEO's of Boing, Ratheon, Lockheed etc. And also, unions... Less unions = bigger gap between the poor and the wealthy. You can love them or hate them, I personally have some problems with them, but it's just the fact.

[@G1ennbeckismyher0]

@greendragon420able, that isn't even an argument.

[@JoannaWagnerClaireSangre]

The deficits are to a large extent servicing the existing debt. Half of the Federal budget goes toward military spending which provides a small stimulus but lacks the multiplier the spending would get if invested in public goods like roads, schools parks etc. The economic growth our politicians are so proud of today are largely in unearned income; profits from stock trades and financial deals. Paper wealth. Interests rates remain low because if they were to rise the wealthy would lose money because of the inverse relationship between interest rates and bond prices. Now we wouldn't want rich people to lose money would we? Monetarism replaced Keynesian economics with the Reagan Administration and continues today under the name neo-liberalism.

[@rivetgunner]

Economic stimulus primarily focused on monetary policy is called Monetarism - a.k.a. supply-side economics, not Keynesian economics. Keynesian economics is a policy mix of monetary AND fiscal policies to generate aggregate demand.

[@patrickshelley09]

rivetgunner : Well put. The Fed's policy just isn't Keynesian and the OP would do well to learn the difference.

[@VEGTheAgingHippie]

I was born on the tail end of the boomer generation. I for one do not buy into the idea that there are vast differences in the generations. I would submit that people tend to act the same way when confronted with the same circumstances. Pitting one generation against another is just another tactic to divide groups and keep them fighting against each other instead of working toward social justice. We see the same thing going on between races, religions, men and women, and all the endless things that divide us. Not all boomers are self absorbed wealthy jerks. If you check the actual poverty stats, you will quickly realize that many boomers are living in poverty. Many in my generation were horrified by the advent of Reaganomics and trickle down theory, and actively fought against those things. I refuse to make vast generalizations about any generation. It's just as offensive as making sweeping generalizations based on race or religion.

[@jwake4803]

Vegematic Unfortunately your view isn't very popular, but it's spot on. People have been complaining about generational differences ever since there have been civilizations, and you can verify that by doing a little research into Greek philosophy. Our world has vastly changed over the decades, but humans have not evolved significantly since the Agricultural Revolution, and blaming our issues on a demographic based on what year they were born does nothing to lead to understanding the root cause of the issue. I'm not even going to say what generation I'm from because I don't think it matters.

[@freecatbeme]

I agree with vegematic ! this is just another way to divide us. and that does not go well. for anyone of us.

[@jwake4803]

Yes yes yes. We're all human. Dividing people based on generation does more harm than good.

[@jaklumen]

Well, this is where I'm stymied to no end- the Boomers have been a regular bogeyman of sorts, but many Millennial "us vs. them" arguments skip right over Generation X. Furthermore, many arguments I see using these generational categories often skip Generation X, as well.

[@capoman1]

I think there is a difference in the generations, different times, different climate, and different parents. Parents of millennials (on the whole) were extra protective of their kids, and protected their self-esteem with the self-esteem movement (like handing out participation trophies). So I think this is why we see college students looking for a parental figure to "step in and keep me comfortable" on issues like trigger warnings and free speech zones on campus; because they have had this for their whole life through their parents.

[@sduke39]

I'm a boomer (born 1957). My 2 kids are Millennials (2002 and 2004). They are both PhD's with enormous student loan debt. I feel bad because I encouraged them to get the best educations they could. I was raised to believe that education was the key to a successful life. I wanted my kids to have that advantage also. Turns out, I gave them bad advice and I will always feel guilty about the mess my generation has left for them to clean up. The best gift I can give them now is to try and leave them what little assets I can hold onto in hopes that with my passing they can at least get out from under their student loan debts. I'm worth a lot more dead than I am alive.

[@sduke39]

Blado You're absolutely correct. I screwed up. My oldest graduated high school in 2002 and my youngest graduated in 2004.

[@Regocomics]

I am fortunate to be a millennial with a bachelors degree and no student loan debt. The simple face is student loans are predatory in nature as it's (almost) impossible to default on it. You were not wrong to push for your kids getting a higher education, it's the financial system on both the legislative side and the lending side is for selling you a bill of goods. In your younger years, education was relatively cheap and the economy was eating your debt on the back end due to inflation which came to a head 1970s and we made the neoliberal turn. Your worldview assumed that the path to success for you would translate to your kids. You can't be faulted for that as common sense up until the collapse in 2007 was just that. Lastly, at least you are being responsible in attempting to amass assets to pass onto them now, but never forget that you're worth far more alive to them for being there for them now because, at least to me, it sounds like you love them. I know I'll be getting a lot from my mom and dad when they pass, but I'd never wish it upon them no matter how dire my financial straits became.

[@Windrake101]

Education IS key to a worthwhile life! Just not always a successful financial one. :(

[@theacademictaskmaster6481]

Wow, you got it wrong. It's 1995 to present and they are Gen Z not Milennials.

[@UnoriginallyOriginal]

+Blado no it wasn't, but actually there is no clear answer to when the millennial generation ended as various people states it's either mid 90s, late 90s and as late as early 00s.

[@erickutepow]

Once again Generation X over looked like we don’t even exist.

[@jaklumen]

I know, right? We aren't completely forgotten, but it really seems that once Millennials started dominating the discussion, we largely got squeezed out. We were discussed more before they were born, or so I remember.

[@shadenox8164]

It's basically middle child syndrome I would guess.

[@SerebiiWarrior]

Browsing around the internet, I found an article from Time called "Slackers". Which at that time in the early 90s was talking about the lazy habits of the young Generation X crowd. Then Millennials came around and they called us entitled. I only wonder what sort of hideous descriptor the Boomers will come up with for Generation Z before they finally breath their last. Robotic? Awkward?

[@CountArtha]

Well, you guys created the Internet, so all is forgiven. ;)

[@aarothewanderer5549]

What about us generation Z?

[@Goldenhawk0]

Two words: Ronald Regan.

[@sebastos1679]

and sadly even he wasn't able to stop the keynesian paradigm.

[@architecture.w]

I think you mean" Reagan".

[@infjintegrityvsnarcissism7295]

Knowledgeable Reaction He undoubtedly started it with voodoo economics, which even Bush 41 called him out on. However, the the is also blame on Clinton and the DLC, which turned the party of FDR into Republican lite, aka watered down Reaganism (economically).

[@infjintegrityvsnarcissism7295]

ukkr That's because in his last 2 years Carter, started practicing neo-liberalism, taking cues from Thatcher. Reagan created a boom bust cycle, SNL crisis, then 41 raised taxes. Was Reagan's 1st tax cut good for the economy... maybe, but until 1986 the top rate was 50%. 50% is still keyensian albeit cut to the bone. The majority of the issues came with the 2nd cut in 1986 to 28%. In fairness to Reagan many of the causes of the downfall of the middle class are on Clinton's and the DLC aka D.I.NO.s shoulders. NAFTA, Repeal of Glass-Stegall, welfare reform. Deregulation then was put in overdrive by Cheney I mean W then well you know the rest. My point is both parties need to change. The era of Neo-liberalism, aka Clintonism, aka Reaganism is over. I would vote for an Eisenhower Republican over a Clinton Democrat any day, though my 1st choice is an FDR Democrat. And just for the record if I was old enough to vote in 92 (a critical turning point) I would have voted Perot.

[@neurotransmissions]

Literally had a training today where the guy said, “Baby boomers get asked to do something and say, ‘Yes sir, right away.’ Millennial get asked and they say, ‘Why? Am I gonna get paid a bonus for this?’” I think that’s a pretty good example of the misunderstanding of the modern economy. Great video!

[@MonsterJuiced]

People are being screwed out of money everyday from jobs that are supposed to assure them ATLEAST minimum wage on an hourly rate which is guarunteed by their workplace contract. Ofcourse we're going to ask whether or not we're going to get paid for doing extra stuff in a job that isn't part of the job description. If they need other things doing, they should hire someone to do them instead of cutting back on staff and forcing 3 people's jobs onto one person! In the 50's they were told "Work hard and you'll get noticed, get promoted and your life will be set. Start out at the bottom and just work hard" Nowadays it just isn't like that anymore. You need to know people, charm the uppers and stand out. You gotta hang out with your boss outside of work, go on nights out, maybe invite them for dinner and things like that. You need to not come across like a work slave but also not too savvy as to threaten managers into thinking that their jobs are at risk by you taking it over from them if their superiors notice you could do it better and talk you into doing it for less money. The manager wont be promoted, they'll just be replaced/ demoted or transfered OR have information found about them which will give superiors enough evidence to fire them. They usually are talked into being laid off with redundancy, or asked to sign a new contract. World is fucked up, kids are working for penuts, adults are having a hard time holding onto even the shittiest tier jobs (literally McDonalds) because the work places are full of bitchy people with extreme views in politics and life which cause nothing but bullying in the work place and what's even worse is that managers are generally in on this as they themselves are not always mature enough to be professional and view everyone they work with as a friend/ ex friend. It's like Highschool and it's truly a nightmare.

[@keithjones4901]

Neuro Transmissions like

[@shammydammy2610]

Baby Boomers got living wage jobs and the expectation of pensions, able to buy cars and homes with a basic education. They were able to stay at a single job their entire working lives. This made them complacent. Millennials are rightfully cynical because none of the above is commonplace anymore and they have to look out for themselves because their employers most likely are not.

[@abby5519]

I have never heard a millenial say anything of the sort, what a ridiculous thing to say. I'm 26 and the most I've heard someone complain about in this department is having to do a 40 hour per week UNPAID internship for 12 months, with no other financial assistance to pay for rent, food, etc, that also requires them to "keep additional work to a minimum" in order to progress in their career. Is wanting to earn a living wage too hard to ask? I have always been surrounded by hardworking, dedicated individuals who don't complain about the work they have to do.

[@charlesdriggers199]

Just how did they become complacent? Are you saying they became lazy, or that the drive of making a living became lost? And how did you find out about what happened. There were times of trouble back then also. These things they do not tell you in college.

[@johnlabus7359]

36 cents was the average price of a gallon of gas in 1970. This equates to $2.35 today. Last I checked, this was pretty darn similar to today's regular unleaded price in many parts of the USA. In my city, Miami, gas buddy says that the best price near me is $2.39. Now, keep in mind that efficiency of vehicles was way worse in 1970 before the government mandated that manufacturers increase efficiency. It was very typical that Americans lumbered their larger families around in station wagons that got 15 mpg. With efficiency standards, it's not unusual for Americans to double that number or more today. So, in effect, gas was actually more expensive back then. This resulted in families having less cars and driving fewer miles. Speaking of less, American families typically had way less "stuff". As a kid in 1970, I was lucky to own two pairs of shoes at once. Before you presume that my family was on a lower income rung, it wasn't. My dad had a professional job in tech in what would become known as Silicon Valley. Families were larger, houses were smaller, vehicles were fewer and all of us had less stuff. That's the context that is missing from this discussion. That said, I completely agree with all the foundational societal priorities and job security that came with that era. My dad never worried about losing his job or keeping a roof over our heads. He didn't worry about retirement because he had a pension waiting for him that my mom still lives off of today. The deck is stacked against Millennials starting their lives in a similar manner to the generations before them and the GenXers & Late Boomers like myself face an uncertain future that may not include retirement because we don't have pensions and are often still supporting our Millennial children. Full disclosure: I am not supporting an adult child, but many of my friends are. The Silent Generation, between the Greatest Generation and the Boomers, are the ones that had life laid out at their feet. They were too young to fight in WWII and too old to fight in Vietnam. They were often very young children in the depression or missed it altogether. They had solid employment with generous benefits at various income and skill levels and retired with pensions after long careers that had lots of job security while they were raising their families. These people are the ones who still today march to the polls with their walkers and oxygen tanks pulling levers to "Make America Great Again", arguably only thinking of themselves, their stock portfolios, their medicare, and with fond memories of their lily white, "family values" society that catered to their every need. What they don't realize is that their lives were made wonderful by a progressive tax system that tempered corporate greed by leverage enormous tax rates on the highest slices of income and that resulted in fantastic infrastructure for themselves and their families and the generous benefits that came with their jobs that they still enjoy today.

[@zachhoward9099]

Ill even further that in that many men of that generation fought in Korea which in a bit of a dysfunctional way America 'Won' in that it was able to save and maintain (albeit by having a permanent military presence on the peninsula) a democratic (though authoritarian) South Korea. In thier minds it justified the existence of a military-industrial complex, especially in the mid and later 50s when that machine was working at full capacity employing hundreds of thousands with good paying jobs that trained on the job that a kid fresh out of high school could go and get and retire with a nice pension before thier 50th birthday.

[@Amateur_Pianist_472]

The crazy thing about the avo on toast thing is that he was responding to complaints about houses being over a millions dollars and somehow saving everything on a part time job would save you a million to buy a house...

[@PCoutcast]

It's not just millennials either. I'm a late GenXer and I work a dead end job where I'm constantly expected to do more for nothing. While my boss spends 2 weeks out of every month on vacation. I didn't go to college so I have no option to get a better job. I'll be working this crap until I die because I can never retire.

[@christianweibrecht6555]

Tristan, will you dedicate a video to dismantling a "baby boomer perfect, millennials bad" article ?

[@lucaswatson1913]

What is the article, I'm curious as a gen Z cos we've got it even worse than you Ms lol

[@0Clewi0]

0:19 I believed it was because print newspapers are almost dead (do people still pay for classifieds?)

[@axelprocope9350]

Props for the Mexie shout-out

[@bohemianlucy4726]

I wish I could show this to my grandma. She is always on my case about how I need to get a better job, a reminds me that at one point she was working 3 jobs to make ends meet and I should do the same (Well, ok she doesn't actually say that last part, but she definitely implies it.) She makes it sound like good jobs are sooo easy to find when they simply aren't. I'm pretty sure, though, if I did show her this, it would probably just go right over her head, and she would accuse me of "just making excuses" or something like that.

[@BlackJar72]

As a Gen-X'er, who didn't get many opportunities early on, and so went for excessive education on the promise that would surely lead to a good job (it didn't) -- and long story short, got a late start in trying to start a career that put me in the same boat as many millennials I really relate to this. But, its not my baby-boomer mom but my silent generation grandmother that really doesn't get it. The fact that my boomer school teachers and '80's media gave us the impression success was almost guaranteed -- that there was a piece of the pie for anyone willing to try -- only made it worse and more shocking. I think this, not fads or cool, is the real reason behind what many boomers saw as Gen-X "pop" cynicism.

[@RainMoontide]

Why did I know about your channel sooner? It's awesome!

[@StepBackHistory]

Well thank ya kindly!

[@JGPorcello]

As a baby boomer it occurs to me that our parents didn't get us either.

[@kazuuka]

YESSS! Good point on the Yom Kippur War. I've been telling people this story for ages, nice to see that I'm not alone in my analysis of the changes seen in throughout different Western economies.

[@kouusa]

I have a great uncle, in his 90's, who was able to get a engineering degree without finishing highschool, had the government pay for it without loans, and get a job in his field right after school. A job he was able to live off of, build a home from scrach, and have extra to tour the world.He can't understand my fear of student loans just to finish my bachelors when I can't even afford to live with roommates even with a job.

[@Lemonz1989]

I'm a Western European millenial and broke ($25,000 in debt)... To be fair, it's mostly because I was unable to work for most of my early 20's due to illness. Luckily, tax paid medical care has made me a productive member of society, so now I'm 1 months ahead of my bills and paying off on my debt while also studying. I work 16.25 hours/week on average (minimum wage at $20/hour) and study for 23 hours/week. So I think I will be okay after I get my education in molecular biology, as it's a field that's in rapid growth at the moment, and probably will be for many decades to come. :)

[@tiad.9536]

I happen to be friends with the very rare baby boomer who has admitted to me that his generation had is super easy and he couldn't imagine growing up in this time. His mom was a typist from home, and his dad worked a full time unionized job. They had more than enough money to pay for a house, groceries, time off, vacations, college, apartment for him in college, and a car for him in high school. Money was never an issue. I can't even imagine what that's like.

[@breakingthemasks]

Very good video. Instant sub. Carry on!

[@vmooney6692]

That's it, I cannot see rich people as anything other than dragons now. Thank you.

[@bethanyeschen-pipes3667]

I think that's an insult to dragons.

[@RETROGEMS]

@@bethanyeschen-pipes3667 Then let my ass eventually become a damn dragon and get some of that sweet dragon money, LMAO!

[@RETROGEMS]

@John Taylor It was a joke. Get a sense of humor.

[@RETROGEMS]

@John Taylor I have a life, thanks for your concern. However, the last time I checked, you disrespectful idiot, we don't know each other, so all the personal insults are looking weird. Maybe evaluate why you're arguing with a stranger over a months old comment.

[@mellonmarshall]

This feels like an early Birthday present to me, so thanks. And you right on with it

[@shady8045]

Because your brain starts deteriorating after age 25 Answered it for you

[@elidennison9902]

Buying dimonds is the Apex of; perversion, idiocy, ignorance, and privilege. I want no part of it... A company enslaved people, menopolized a rock that is so abundant it is worthless and that's price is artificially set. To quite literally put a dollar sign on love. The most irrational, unconditional, most human emotion. If that doesn't gross you out IDK what will.

[@Disthron]

It was my understanding that most generations have trouble understanding the next generation the comes after. As their circumstances have changed.

[@Litzergam]

People born in the 40s and 50s grew up to be the first wave of hippies. That generation was called lazy, draft dodgers, and generally shit upon by older generations. History repeats itself. As a millennial on the older end of the spectrum, I hear my fellow 80s babies shit on the next generation. Why can't we be the generation to stop the habit of blaming younger people?

[@taigathelitten7939]

Litzergam I'm doing the opposite. I'm blaming the older generation.

[@wesk2675]

Because these people haven't learned a damn thing from the European Dark Ages. People constantly blame the "younger generation" but if someone from Medieval Europe were to step into some time warp into our Era and listen to some baby boomer complain about millennials, they'd give them a highly confused look. I mean really. Do you think someone who grew up during the bubonic plague would know what an "entitled millennial" is or even care?

[@sleekoduck]

Gen X had to put up with the same thing back in the 1990s. The Boomers started calling us names when we started coming after their jobs at the end of that decade. Learn from us. 😎

[@nobodynothing3551]

A good book that dives deeper into the tactics boomers/gen x use on the younger generations is “The Myth of the Spoiled Child” by Alfie Kohn. It talks about a multitude of pressures that young people today feel, and the underlying values behind complaints of “kids these days”. It deconstructs those ideas and analyzes the effect it has on people who grow up being parented by those who hold ideology that everything is the younger generations fault and that their generation was “the good ol days”. The results are very familiar to what we see in young people today.

[@StepBackHistory]

Thanks for adding this!

[@maniaemagna]

Thank you for making this video. Also employers have unrealistic expectations like the ability to "multitask". Multitasking is a myth and the demand is technically illegal. Why? Because people with certain disabilities would find attempting to do so overwhelming.

[@peans99]

very interesting content as always

[@BlueFlyer83]

What worked for them isn't necessarily working for us...obviously. The scary part is our generation is having to evolve and learning to live with LESS. This means fewer Millennials are having kids and putting off long term careers as employers move away from pensions etc. The cost of living keeps rising every year but our pay raises don't keep up with the rate of inflation. I work full-time at a really good gig and my wife works two jobs and we're really no better off financially now than we were 10 years ago. We're able to save, but God forbid we need a new vehicle or have a catastrophic medical issue. Something like that would clean us out. We're learning that we're living our lives in reverse. Work hard now for a retirement we more than likely won't get a chance to enjoy. We're not getting any younger.

[@somethingclever8916]

Most parents of miliennals are gen Xers not boomers

[@bradleyanderson4315]

That depends on with which wife.

[@ZombieChan84]

Not true

[@RETROGEMS]

@Blado Also '87 born here, both parents were boomers. The vast majority of us didn't have parents born in the 70s or even late 60s.

[@michaelthomas8677]

It'd be neat if you did some history of science videos. A museum where I live had an event where three guys in Renaissance clothes had a debate over whether the "celestial spheres" rotate around Earth or the sun. They noted among other things that the obsession with literal interpretations of the Bible is a relatively recent phenomena. Sounds like some people need to STEP BACK.

[@bradkohl6283]

Thank you for this video sooo much!

[@GaryLawrenceMurphy]

I notice you ignore the data of Picketty...

[@ashknoecklein]

Just found this channel. Great work! Subscribed.

[@StepBackHistory]

Cheers! How'd to find me?

[@onlybmw69]

Great video. 👍🏼

[@MightyAsh]

Very well made video sir

[@StepBackHistory]

Thanks so much!

[@CiScOx69]

Cool Video Buddy You Make Scenes Of It All

[@lostinthefogofwar5774]

If makes you feel any better, I'm a boomer and I can't afford the rent either.

[@wesk2675]

That's rather common. A lot of people who prefer "the old days" don't really care for 95% of the people who grew up then.

[@JetScreamer_YT]

I'm Generation X and iron your shirt. LOL actually, do what I do and put it in the dryer for 20 minutes.

[@cootermcguffin1874]

Thanks for posting this video 2-1/2 years ago for me to find today! Yes, the unique situation of a great depression, followed by New Deal restructuring, followed by the most destructive war in human history, followed by a cold war arms race, etc. created a particular period of unprecedented prosperity for the United States. However, I believe that people born in one era are not all that different from those from another - even including prehistory. Our opportunities may be limited in comparison to those of different times and places, but self-reliance and determination to provide for ourselves and others is the hallmark of our species. As for myself, I don't choose to compare my circumstance to that of a different generation other than to learn from others' mistakes and make the best living I can by working hard. I don't mean to sound preachy, please take this as my way of making the best of the time I have been given. Thanks again.

[@tasty8186]

Love ya bud, good video!

[@johnclhugyugihjbvgbkj9729]

New sub., nice star, had a Similar one. Nice little set looks like a sauna a good topic

[@Mortimer_Duke]

One defining Millennial trait is speaking with authority despite knowing absolutely nothing about a particular topic.

[@davidtrindle6473]

I’m a boomer. My kids are Millennials. I have no complaints. We are close. I understand and love them.

[@ARTexplains]

Avocado Toast is the best stereotype, I love that you included it

[@UnoriginallyInclined]

I think the changing job environment is really the core of this. Ten years ago we were expected to financially compete with people who earned $5 a day, now it's robots that never get sick or need time off and can work just for what it costs to maintain them. And it's not just the Mcjobs either. Algorithms can pick stocks better than brokers and save me money in management fees so of course I use them. Humans have never faced this before- we're becoming a redundant part to our own economy.

[@Arclite02]

Also worth pointing out that during this massive boom, the USA was basically the ONLY industrialized nation that wasn't busy rebuilding their shattered country, dealing with manpower shortages due to massive wartime casualties, and often both. So they got to start off with a COLOSSAL head start over the rest of the world. So not only does this cover the generation gap, it also explains a lot of how the US became the powerhouse that it is.

[@sebastianguerrero6617]

i hate the term Millennials it feels like an insult

[@MCIZ77]

You have mistaken neoliberal economics with trickle down theory. Although trickle down can be with incorporated in a neoliberal system it doesn't have to.

[@LoveDoctorNL]

I’m Gen-X so I don’t get Millennials nor Baby-boomers.

[@LoveDoctorNL]

Rob Jackson : Once we’re all pieces of shit the world would be a better place.

[@metalox88]

Man you get this right on the head of the nail!!!!!!! Perfect insight....

[@boggo3848]

When people say "millennials are killing X product" they are essentially criticising capitalism since production in market economies is self-regulating and driven mainly by demand. So actually it's just the market doing what it does best.

[@lafregaste]

I think what has pushed Millennials more, is debt. Because the importance of higher education has increased people are not only encourage but kind of forced to search colleges degrees and such, but to do so you have to acquire debts and debts and more debts, but by the end of your career education you find there's no jobs and the few that are available don't pay you enough to pay off your education debt. It's a sickening cycle that at the moment can't be overcome.

[@zacharybarnes1266]

It says this is a video on why Boomers dont get Millenials. Meanwhile, he casually explains the entire U.S. economy in 7 minutes, amazing work.

[@StepBackHistory]

Thanks so much!

[@sarah3796]

how can we change it? !!!

[@frankupton5821]

Military spending being supposedly good for the economy is a fine example of the Broken Window Fallacy. Governments could spend the same money on something useful. OK, winning the Cold War was useful, but I mean governments collectively, worldwide.

[@charlestownsend9280]

if america used it's military budget on helping people rather than killing them they could do a lot of good (same for other countries but they don't spend any where near as much because they have things like healthcare and education to pay for).

[@Phil9874]

well they didn't sit on it like a dragon they instead used it to go to space

[@joshn2564]

What people value monetarily are drastically different between the 1950's and the 2010's. During the 50's the times were slowly coming off a limiting gold standard moving into fiat currency while today society is changing from hyper inflating fiat currency into a decentralized crypto-currency. As for home ownership the increased property taxes with fluctuating property value alongside accident liability for owners gives renters a growing short term advantage in living cost.

[@AudibleAnarchist1]

0:12 Makes me proud to be a millennial :)

[@StepBackHistory]

Long live Avocado Toast

[@manofhellas123]

3:17 That's not neoliberal economics, that's called supply-side economics.In fact, many neoliberal economists are against it like Paul Krugman.

[@OmegaWolf747]

So why not just outlaw outsourcing? American companies should hire American workers, period.

[@jaklumen]

It has been proposed that once automation is more fully entrenched and comprehensive, this problem will wane- no economic incentive in offshoring or outsourcing robotic machinery and the like. It will be much more feasible to keep them at home. But this likely means that employment will be even more service-oriented than now.

[@rikkkiable]

Isn't that anti free-market?

[@TheShowThatSUX]

+OmegaWolf747, won't solve the problem. Like it or not you want goods cheaper than US HUMAN labor wants to make it for. You will buy it is a machine makes it or if overseas labor makes it cheaper than the machine will. Here is the reality. YOU DECIDE what I pay my workers. I can want to pay them well, and the law can be structured that way. But you buy it or you won't, you the consumer. You decide what the workers make or if they can be afforded at all. The same person who protests for a $15 living wage, is the same person who would complain if they had to pay more for everything to cover that cost and bill.

[@GalliadII]

because if you do that, the companies might just leave entirely and not even pay taxes or sell their products in America. You would need to get rid of the patent system for companies that leave the country too, so other companies can take their place. but in any case it would result in a price increase. are you willing to pay 20 dollars for a t shirt?

[@OmegaWolf747]

I've already paid close to that sometimes. There just has to be a way to keep the work state side.

[@mayanthought]

Keep doing what you're doing, Tristan!

[@mikegarrens5286]

I'm just glad I was born when I was born!!!1963 Young teen in the 70s Young adult in the 80's Adult in the 90's Anything after that Not really into!!!

[@Angelito_Noreaga]

Didnt address neoliberal politics lasted from around 1980 until today. Everything is focused on the wants of business rather than the needs of workers.

[@MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs]

Do you think Keynesianism could fix stuff again? I think not. Given the limitations of our planet, the consumerism paradigm has the potential to doom us.

[@StepBackHistory]

There's definitely a sustainable Keynesianism that while it would still be consumerist is at least better than neoliberal hellscape

[@sebastos1679]

Guys we are all living in a keynesian economics ever since 1940s. It doesn't matter if you're in US or Europe.

[@dreadpiratelenny1348]

How do you only have 30k subs? You should be pushing 100K by now. I imagine it's against your humble nature, but I would suggest you encourage viewers to share your videos at the end of each one. Thank you, and keep up the great work!

[@9786oof]

Dread Pirate Lenny I think it might be because the thumbnails look weird

[@StepBackHistory]

+Audrey Lukas could you elaborate? I'd love to know how to improve my thumbnails

[@9786oof]

Step Back History Step Back History I would start by putting the vid title/subject/ or a clickbait-y question a the most prominent thing on the thumbnail and then using more flashy or interesting grapics sans your photoshopped reaction face. Your thumbnail format looks more like storytime youtubers than fun history lectures if that makes sense? I'd look at some popular analytical and educational channels for inspiration if you wanted to change. People who design for channels like "coldfusion " "today I found out" or even "vox" are usually pretty eye catching. Hope this helps 👍 u don't need to take my advice tho, just my two cents

[@StepBackHistory]

+Audrey Lukas I appreciate this a lot Audrey

[@vivekkumar-jy4cd]

Can I leave more than one like, this video was really good

[@baronvonmouthJustin]

Great video. You bring up some really good points. I wonder why politicians and world leaders don't try to emulate some of the success of the past policy but rather look to promote policy that increases wealth inequality . Some people might say we are living in the second "Gilded Age."

[@TheShowThatSUX]

+baronvonmouthJustin, and what policy would that be? Bomb all the nations so you can rebuild them? Or maybe a new arms race? Or maybe you want to have the whole economy dependent on subsites to keep prices high and what not so your kids can be more broke than this gen? LOOK AROUND what you complain about is the hangover the "GOLDEN AGE" created!

[@themoagoddess1820]

3:15 that's not neoliberal economics, that's reaganomics(or trickle-down economics, or scam-disguised-as economics). if you're going to call out stupidity by name, than please get it right. edit: corrected the time.

[@fitfrog65]

I'm almost 73 but I enjoyed the video. This guy is absolutely correct on most of economic history. However, he should have mentioned the second wave-boom from 1983-2002. This was the begininng of the technology age. Most millies grew up with baby boomer parents who scored lucrative jobs in the second wave, this gave the millies the impression that things have always been easy in the USA. They are not.

[@wendysbrian1]

Music at end sounds like age of empires.

[@badgerrrlattin35]

Negative interest rates for the Boomers? I missed that entirely. Not till very lately have I seen rates this low. Standard interest on a bank savings account was like 4 1/2 or 5%.

[@tunesmith7437]

just for the record the parents of the Millennials are more likely from Generation X...not The Baby Boom and along with lower prices back in the 40's and 50's were very low salaries...do not cloud the issue.

[@jakeanderson3625]

1/4/2019....again...HOW am I just now discovering this channel?

[@StepBackHistory]

Just good that you're here now!

[@DrewPicklesTheDark]

My grandparents were pre-boomer and hated boomers way more than gen X, millennials, and for the one left, zoomers.

[@andrewbowers_]

You explained it so perfectly. I feel for the situation which millennials must cope through. The good news is that you are the most educated and connected generation in world history. If anyone can find a solution to this problem, it will be your generation that will save the world. You’re around the right age for a super hero;) The baby boomers were burdened with the horrors of the Vietnam War. Hundreds of thousands of young men out of college were given a gun and thrown into a foreign jungle to die a horrible and frightening death. I was about 4yo when a teenager came to my door to visit my very older brother. He was off to Vietnam and wasn’t happy. I never saw him again. Mothers all over the USA and Australia lost their sons to Vietnam, in the golden years.

[@Talltrees84]

I am a Gen X-er (1966 - 1979). The BB-ers used to say we were Slackers and unfocused and lacked a real defining moment like Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, etc. (9/11 does not count it seems). Every generation blames the previous generation and the older generation decries the lack of discipline, etc. I do give the Millennials and Gen Z credit for being tech savy and having a wealth of information at their command that I didn't have at their age. Weather more information equals more wisdom and better choices is yet to be determined. Power rests in the hands of the pre-BBers, the BB-ers and some of the older and middle Gen - Xers. The younger generation is generally more progressive and more racially and ethnically diverse. Demographic shifts around the corner. In order to get a taste of the future you may wish to go to this website and see what has already happened in California (hint they used to be a solid conservative Red state that gave us Nixon and Reagan). medium.com/s/state-of-the-future/california-is-the-future-6601cdf8caf8

[@whoaminow100]

you left out that the glorious Keynesian economic policy also generates huge debts over time. you cant continue always increasing the debt without long term problems like higher interest rates and less capital available for other things like paychecks.

[@frostfox1208]

A great book to read. " FDR's Folly". By Jim Powell, will help to set you straight on many of your ideas. Keep working on it.

[@wmgthilgen]

Every generation hopes and attempts to make life easier for the next. My grandfather never went to school, but insisted that my father go. And made every attempt to make it happen. My father finished the 8th grade, never went to high school, but insisted that I do. And made every attempt to make it happen. I finished high school, but never went to college. Thus now I've made every attempt to not only get them into college but finish it. Every generation has it easier than the previous, my grandfathered toiled everyday one a farm in the midwest. My father though it was a trek from home to school (no buses then) and toiled only when it was planting or harvest time. I got to ride the bus and never had to toil on the same farm in which my grandfather willed to my father and whom eventually willed to me. With no experitse on how to farm, because all my time was devoted to schooling, I eventually lost the farm and moved to the city. Where as my children had a considerably easier trek and spent a considerably less time getting to and from, thus more time to devote to schooling all finished college. Along the way, I watched on farming had changed from my grandfathers day to the now corperate own and operated farms. I've got friends who can state the same basic things in regards to their grandfathers whom lived in the city and toiled in factories, which men and some women toil in. Today for various reasons such as tax libilities, labor cost, etc. etc. etc. have caused the factories whom used to employ a lot of people. But can't maintain a satisfactory return on ones investment, have gone to other countries where as labor is cheap and or competley automated. An endevor that even the other countries are now starting to incorperate, thus not needing even the low cost employee's they have available. Eventually, when everything is owned and operated by various corperations and fully automated with the use of AI's and the like. My great grand children will have nothing to do, and their whole life to do it. Thus have the time to contimplate what they indivdually deem unsatisfactory. The millenaly generation is the first indication of what's to come. At some point in their future, they will wonder the same things that cause us to wonder about them. Comparing my self to my father let alone my grandfather, one could say I'm lazy. Comparing myself to the millenal generation, I am just as guilty at stateing they are lazy. It's a process that will not ended until AI's are in place everywhere, and using their ability to communicate with one another in nano seconds. Will use logic, and eventually, put an end to our foolishness of self worth. Humans because we say so, are supposedly the superior biological life form on this planet. No other life form is capable of wiping themselves from existence. And for the purpose of one word, we humans seem to be hell bent on dong just that. That word is "Greed". Humans are the only biological life form that has that trait, and though it's common knowledge, refuses to do anything about it. I don't know the exact figures, but today there is approximatly 51 percent of American citizens receiving governmental assitant. Some at the state level, some at the Federal level and some at both. The exact number of those that paid in is getting lower and lower every year as those who never contruibuted is getting larger and larger. Doing the math, it will eventuall cause a big problem for future generations. And because of our apparent desire (Greed) refuse to look at the forest because of all the dam trees in the way makes it impossible to see.

[@margaretjohnson6259]

boomer here. i DO understand why millennials and younger are having such a rough time. i saw this coming on and it's not your fault.

[@earlg1094]

the job im working at now was found in the classifieds

[@StepBackHistory]

Lucky you

[@Anubis415]

That last line was on point

[@arisaga822]

Afraid I must disagree with some of your points. Income inequality is higher today, yes, but so too are living standards (attributable perhaps in large part to technology, which thrives in a capitalist environment). Poverty and income inequality should not necessarily be conflated. The argument for Keysian economics is an attractive one but still leaves the issue of greater public debt. That debt becomes an issue to solve in the future which can be addressed through taxation or inflation taxes - neither are particularly popular. Part of the neo-liberalism (outside of the US at least) drive was in response to some of the inefficiencies created through Keysian policies.

[@MrG8Rsir]

The best part of being a millennial is that I can identify as a non-millennial