The problem with ‘OK, boomer’

[TalkRadio_]

“OK, boomer.” The refrain — withering or ironic, depending on whom you ask — has spread like wildfire on social media, even making an appearance in a parliamentary debate in New Zealand. It’s a jab from the young to the old, a collective eye-roll at the out-of-touch judgments baby boomers pass on the tastes, values and lived experiences of millennials and Gen Zers.

Moral panic about youth, and youth’s resentment of that panic, often emerges in times of rapid change, like we’re experiencing today. Ironically, today’s youths inherited a hyper-focus on generations from the 1960s, when the very boomer targets of today’s meme were themselves the younger generation under attack. But framing such conflicts in generational terms can be dangerous. Then, as now, rallying around generational identity created solidarity — but it also distracted from more fruitful conversations. In the 1960s, the real divides were about power — who had it and who did not — not about young vs. old. Getting bogged down in generation clashes ensured these problems went unresolved — and we run that risk again today if we distill our divisions into a generation gap.

We run that risk again today — something that has already garnered attention. As soon as “OK, boomer” hit the mainstream, productive conversations emerged about the dangers of focusing too much on generational divides. And, as some embracing the meme have noted, “boomer” isn’t always meant literally. It can mean anyone resisting change. We now use boomer two ways: as a term for someone born in a certain era, but increasingly as a stand-in for power, selfishness or comfortable cluelessness — traits found in people of all ages.

And it’s this usage — not simply one tied to age — that must guide our conversations. It may be cathartic to roll one’s eyes and utter “OK, boomer” over everything from telephone calls to retirement accounts, but it’s likely to end in the same place: distracting us from deeper conversations about what really divides us and the coalitions that might truly bring change. To paraphrase another ‘60s anthem, let’s hope that this time we won’t get fooled again.

Source

 

[RoryN]

OK Boomer.

 

[von_Bismarck]

Source

STFU, Boomer miles.

 

[RocketLauncher]

http://images7.memedroid.com/images/UPLOADED682/5dd6b9afbd50d.jpeg

 

[chillywilly2]

The difference between 60 and 70

At 60 you have the age and experience to help guide the youth and try to help.

At 70, you just shut up and watch because you know the little pricks aren't going listen to a word you have to say

Thanks Zumi...I'm good and just giggle at the ok boomers now

 

[RoryN]

The difference between 60 and 70

At 60 you have the age and experience to help guide the youth and try to help.

At 70, you just shut up and watch because you know the little pricks aren't going listen to a word you have to say

OK Boomer.

 

[chillywilly2]

OK Boomer.

you're so cute

 

[RetroTin88]

OK Boomer.

Ok, Boomer, stop trying to be cool by using the dismissal word. You're like an 80 year old wearing skinny jeans.

STFU, Boomer miles.

^^^Trying to hard.

OK Boomer.

Ok, Boomer, get off the internet and go have a nap. You've repeated yourself.

 

[RoryN]

you're so cute

https://i.imgur.com/OdumOIS.gif

Ok, Boomer

https://i.imgur.com/XC6EyBR.jpg

 

[RetroTin88]

https://i.imgur.com/OdumOIS.gif



https://i.imgur.com/XC6EyBR.jpg

Oh, Boomer, you answered me fast. Check that blood pressure before I give you a heart attack.

 

[silver gurl]

There is no problem. It has been done, it is now over.

 

[RocketLauncher]

Ok, Boomer, stop trying to be cool by using the dismissal word. You're like an 80 year old wearing skinny jeans.



^^^Trying to hard.



Ok, Boomer, get off the internet and go have a nap. You've repeated yourself.

*too*

 

[RetroTin88]

*too*

Oh, Boomer, you're correction of a simple typo shows your age.

 

[RocketLauncher]

Oh, Boomer, you're correction of a simple typo shows your age.

Tee heee.
Or maybe I've fallen victim to that dreaded of all nazis, The Boomer Grammar Nazi, one too many times.
Ain't that right, Boomer?

 

[RetroTin88]

Tee heee.
Or maybe I've fallen victim to that dreaded of all nazis, The Boomer Grammar Nazi, one too many times.
Ain't that right, Boomer?

Call me Mr. Boombastic, Boomerette.

 

[RocketLauncher]

Call me Mr. Boombastic, Boomerette.

Jeffrey?

 

[RetroTin88]

Jeffrey?

You really are a Boomer. That reference went right over my head.

 

[RocketLauncher]

You really are a Boomer. That reference went right over my head.

Johnny Ray?

 

[RetroTin88]

Johnny Ray?

Nope.

 

[Fart_knocker]

Talk about a triggered boomer...lol

 

[RetroTin88]

Talk about a triggered boomer...lol

^^^D-bag is in the house!!!

 

[oggbashan]

I'm far too old to be a boomer.

 

[Fart_knocker]

Lol,.poor triggered boomer.

 

[Fart_knocker]

I'm far too old to be a boomer.

Silent generation?

 

[RetroTin88]

I'm far too old to be a boomer.

OK, Boomer is more of a dismissal than ageism. It's being used far too often and not against a set group of people as it seemed to be originally intended.