GSSD on FaceBookCharles Marohn of Strong Towns, never shy of stirring the pot, wrote a blog post today, “Can Baby Boomers be a part of the solution?”. While he is careful to avoid bashing Boomers (an amazingly popular thing to do), he nonetheless misses the target, in my opinion.
GSSD has strong admiration for Charles Marohn and Strong Towns, and in fact hosted him in San Diego for his Curbside Chat. He speaks truth to power in the way Jane Jacobs did in 1961.
Below is my response to Charles.
Chuck,
I think the resistance to change is an age issue, and not a generational issue. I suspect that the GenX’rs will be just as resistant to change as they age, as the Boomers are starting to be, and as the generations before them were. Studies show that NIMBY’s are usually older.
When we talk about generational identity, I always think about the book, “Generations”, by William Strauss and Neil Howe. The book “describes a cyclical theory of history based on repeating generational archetypes.” (Wikipedia). Boomers are Idealists, Dreamers, Philosophers. The generation is filled with big thinkers and spiritual leaders like Andres Duany, Steve Jobs, Deepak Chopra, Bill Gates, John Lennon. Of course, the dark side of Boomer idealism is culture wars, religious fundamentalism, and politics where ideology trumps common sense.
GenX’rs are the Doers. Sick of watching the previous generation talk big but do little, they get right to the point and get things done. You, Chuck, are a good example. However, my bet is on the next “Great Generation” – the Millennials. According to the book, this generation is a civic minded one. They are “vigorous and rational institution-builders … aggressive advocates of technological progress, economic prosperity, social harmony, and public optimism.” (Wikipedia)
So The Boomers have laid the foundation and ideals. I suspect the GenX’rs will pick up the ball and get things rolling, while the Millennials will finish up the job, creating the new society that we all hope to have.
Then it will start all over again.
-Walter Chambers, GSSD
Walt,
You are too kind and generous with your compliments. And, of course, you are right on this point. It is certainly a function primarily of age.
I think what makes this particular time so interesting is that Boomers pride themselves on righting the wrong and being agents of change. I don’t think they generally would believe themselves possible of being stuck in their ways, especially when faced with big problems.
A lot of my peers are frustrated with Boomers — many despise them, actually — so I thought it was good to help see things through their eyes. They are not irrational.
I think in an ideal world, people between the ages of 35 and 55 would make most of the decisions. Old enough to have experience and be worldly but not so old as you start thinking too short term. I know companies that essentially have this operating creed. It is not like they shun anyone over 55 — they are incredibly valuable — but they are not given the ability to make long term decisions when their own short term interests weigh so heavily.
Thanks Walt. So happy you are a reader of our stuff.
-Chuck
Chuck,
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate the time you took to reply.
I believe you a right when you say that “Boomers pride themselves on righting the wrong and being agents of change”. The Boomers I know who have learned about the dysfunction of our post WWII development patterns have taken the cause to heart in typical Boomer idealist fashion. Boomers do have that ability to change. Age, however, may win the day making it difficult to get older people to see the change needed. I bet you, though, if you can get an aging Boomer on your side, they will be pick up the pickets and join the revolution the way they always have.
Read you stuff? You’re on my daily reading list. I check in daily to see what else you have to challenge, enlighten, or provoke us. Keep it up!
-Walter