Generation, after Generation, after Generation
Are you, like me, having trouble keeping up with the generations? Need help distinguishing your Millennials from your Alphas?
As a public service, the generations from the Greatest on are decoded below, with approximate birth ranges. Remember, if you can’t label it, you can’t market to it.
The Greatest Generation (1901-27) — braggy, perhaps, but they did grow up through the Depression then had to sacrifice themselves to prevent a genocide. I’d say they get a pass.
The Silent Generation (1928-45) — lucky enough to just miss being in the war, then benefitted from the largest economic expansion in history. Best just to keep quiet, smile, say thank you, and not rock the boat.
Baby Boomers (1946-64) — sure, you landed on the moon, helped usher in Civil and Gay Rights, protested illegal wars, and had some great music. But you also gave us pollution, suburban sprawl, nuclear power and left us with a dysfunctional government as you head into retirement. Good job.
Generation X (1965-80) — our parents split up in record numbers, so we had to be baby-sat by MTV, video games, and Saturday morning cartoons. Our hair touched the sky and our clothes were fluorescent, but I think we turned out okay, all things considered.
Millennials (1981-96) — had to deal with the climate mess the Boomers and Gen X failed to fix. Then there was war, 9/11, more war, and an economic collapse. No wonder they never moved out of their parents’ house.
Generation Z (1997-2012) — doesn’t know a world without the internet. So while they’ve been exposed to a multitude of cultures and the accumulated knowledge of all humankind, they’ve rarely been exposed to the outdoors. And really, when your tech campus has 24-hour food, gyms, laundry, and a cot in your office, why would you need to?
Generation Alpha (2010ish-2024) — made virtual friends due to COVID. Addicted to TikTok, but really, what was the alternative? Actually interacting with your family while you're stuck with them for months on end? Will be the first to adapt to our new AI overlords and use it to build spaceships. Turns out Wall-E was a documentary.
