MTV Pushing out ‘cynical’ Generation X
Posted on February 24, 2010 | By Christian | 1 Comment
Here's to you MTV!
Well, its official. MTV has announced their focus on Millennials, casting aside Generation X… the generation that made MTV. Sad news indeed. I’d like to give a big FU to MTV. Not just for this recent admission, but for the crap they have been broadcasting for the past 20 years. There was a time when MTV was about music television. It was certainly a revolutionary, but simple, concept that changed music forever. Play popular music but with supporting video. It changed everything. No longer were we sitting by the radio listening to music while doing something else. Now we were completely focused on the music as a total sensory experience. And when I say focused, I mean sitting like a zombie starring at the TV, one music video after another… completely enthralled. It was a perfect formula and our generation shaped it. Read more
Lack of Teen Spirit, A Meandering Rant from TSF 6
Posted on February 22, 2010 | By Robert LaFrance | 3 Comments
The "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Single Artwork
Considering The Slacker Factor is a podcast and webspace targeted directly at Generation X, whose musical apex is squarely planted in early 90s grunge, what I’m about to say will no doubt offend some and may even be considered downright sacrilegious. So, let me just come right out and say it…
I never need to hear Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” again. That’s right, the GenX anthem that epitomizes all things slacker is not aging well in my eyes. In fact, the second I hear those opening power chords, I instinctually reach for the dial or digital preset button to find just about anything else (within reason, of course… I’m not about to choose any American Idol reject over the voice of our generation (I think, anyway).
It’s not really Kurt’s fault though. In 1991, when Nevermind was released unto the unsuspecting public, it was all I needed to puff out my chest and get all angsty. After all, this was the theme song to many a drunken slam dance, late night rally to plan our world domination, or solo introspective moment. But just three years later, after Kurt Cobain’s untimely death in 1994, the song sank into nostalgia. Hearing it then, we’d take a second to imagine what could of been, what still might be, and what contributions our generation was making (or not making) to the world. But now, it’s lost all that sense of nostalgia, emotional connection, and is just plain tired. Read more
TSF6: Pondering Nirvana. Now ONLINE!
Posted on February 20, 2010 | By Robert LaFrance | No Comments
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The Slacker Factor Podcast, Episode 6: Pondering Nirvana
Haunted by a love/hate relationship with the music of our past, Rob struggles in his quest not to achieve Nirvana. We are confused by guys/girls and the words around them in a discussion on gender speak. Finally, Chris attempts serenity with NPR’s top songs of the decade and breaks out cool/questionable jazz.
Links:
Meandering Rant on the Lack of Teen Spirit by Rob
Book Report: Gender Speak
Music Segment: NPR’s 50 Most Important Recordings of the Decade
reBlog from jenx67.com: jenX67 | are you there God? it’s me, generation x
Posted on February 17, 2010 | By Christian | No Comments
From our friend JenX67…
I found this fascinating quote today:
Back in December the Harvard Business Review had a podcast featuring Tammy Erickson who recently penned What’s Next Gen X? In case you missed it, you may want to find 12 minutes to listed to this interview about how Gen X leads. Interestingly, Erickson sheds light on how rules-oriented Gen Xers are despite being rule-breakers in their personal lives.jenx67.com, jenX67 | are you there God? it’s me, generation x, Feb 2010
You should read the whole article.
Gen X Has Its First Midlife Crisis: Billy Corgan, Jessica Simpson, and You!
Posted on February 10, 2010 | By Robert LaFrance | 2 Comments
Prototypical Generation X'er, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkin fame
At the risk of getting all gossipy here, blogger Lisa M posts this article about Billy Corgan and Jessica Simpson. An interesting read on its own but it also provokes some very grave thoughts.
Considering Corgan fronted one of Generation X’s seminal bands (and probably my all-time favorite), The Smashing Pumpkins, it’s with great amusement that we are now linking our icons with midlife crises. Are we really middle age already? Is that possible?
Let’s see… according to the all-knowing wikipedia, the average life expectancy in the US in 78.2 years. Uh oh. My quick, back-of-the-napkin math reveals that half of that figure is roughly 39. And I am 39 now. Suddenly, this has taken an ugly turn from amusement to bewilderment. I always thought the stereotypical ”mid-life” male was fat, balding, and incorrigibly boring. Wait, I think I match a couple of those descriptions (I’ll let you decide which ones).
So, while it’s possible that I may now qualify as middle-age, in typical Generation X fashion, I will rebel against any social norm! Which, in this case, means going to the gym, hairclub for men, then partying all night in NYC! Are you with me?
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