The Slacker Factor ::: The Voice of Generation X: Podcasts, Blogs, World Domination

John Hughes Tribute from the Oscars

Posted on March 8, 2010 | By Robert LaFrance | No Comments

The stars of such classic Generation X movies as Breakfast Club, Ferris Beuler’s Day Off, and Sixteen Candles were in full view last night at the Oscar Awards.  They paid tribute to the late who wrote and directed the coming of age films that so impacted our generation.  The actors may not have aged all that well but I certainly think the movies have stood the test of time.  Or maybe I’m just biased.

Anyway, you can watch the tribute here:

MTV Pushing out ‘cynical’ Generation X

Posted on February 24, 2010 | By Christian | No Comments

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

TSF6: Pondering Nirvana. Now ONLINE!

Posted on February 20, 2010 | By Robert LaFrance | No Comments

Play

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.

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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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