Generations (and why they don’t really exist)
I’ve been doing some research on the different generations of America (United States Citizens). I will not be egotistical to believe events that influence Americans can be felt throughout the whole world. We have influence by not to the level of absolute domination of culture. Therefore, this entry will focus on the American experience. I believe firmly that a generation is twenty years and not seventeen. I also believe events influence a generation and this in turn put selective pressures on the people of the generation. We do not define ourselves, but circumstance defines us. This of course says nothing of free will (which of course exists, in parallel).
I will, however, concede that generations within the American framework last on average seventeen years. So here are my findings:
1). 1928 – 1945 The Silent Generation, The Depression and period right before…
2). 1946 – 1963 The Baby Boomers, The end of WWII
3). 1964 – 1981 Generation X, The assassination of JFK
4). 1982 – 1999 Generation Y, The fall of communism and worldwide capitalism
Silent Generation share a cultural influence bond with generation X (cynicism), while the Baby Boomers share a cultural bond with generation Y (materialism).
I would have placed the values myself as:
1). 1922 – 1942 High stock market to the crash of 1929
2). 1943 – 1963 Baby Boomers (at point we were likely to win war, beginning of kids)
3). 1964 – 1984 Generation X
4). 1985 – 2005 Generation Y
5). 2006 – 2026 Generation Z (or your variable of choice)
In truth, there is no conclusive support for the use of generations. It is not a provable experiment, but rather relies on the ability of individuals to use statistics and other variables in order to convince an audience that they are right. This is utter nonsense. It is a divide and conquer strategy being employed for the sake of marketing.
A case example: Generation X for most (X’ers ended in 1974), yet Generation Y does not begin until either 78 or 81 (or even 85). This places individuals born between 1975 and 1980 into an exile generation (a structural hybrid called the MTV generation). This is actually a form of generational black listing and serves now purpose other than to pidgin hole the previous generation and focus on an upcoming new generation of people to market good too.
Finally, perhaps most striking is the inability to carry the generational framework into foreign cultures (whether it be Europe or Japan). They have their own generational dividers (blinders). They are not part of the American experience, and therefore, are privy to the same economic and social markers that establish Generation X form Generation Y.
In the end, it all comes down to little more than shameful marketing.
Return of the Legion?
In an interesting twist, a recent post has been circulating the web:
“Dear News Organizations.
We have been watching your reporting of Anonymous’s Conflict with The Church of Scientology.
As you said. The so called, Church of Scientology, have actively misused copyright, and trademark law, in pursuit of its own agenda. They attempt, not only to subvert free speech, but to recklessly pervert justice to silence those who speak out against them.
We find it interesting that you did not mention the other objections in your news reporting.
The stifling and punishment of dissent. within the totalitarian organization of Scientology.
The numerous, alleged human rights violations. Such as the treatment and events that led to the deaths of victims of the cult such as Lisa McPherson.
The Criminal Prosecution and imprisonment of many powerful members of the church. This Cult is Nothing but a psychotically driven pyramid scheme.
Why are you. The news media. Afraid of discussing these matters?
It is your duty to report on these matters.
You are Failing in your Duty.
Their activities make them an affront to freedom.
Remember. All that is necessary. For the triumph of evil. Is that good men do nothing.
This information is Everywhere.
It is your Duty to expose it.
It is easy to find.
Google is your friend.
This is not Religious Persecution.
But the suppression of a powerful, criminal fascist regime.
It is left to Anonymous.
The Church has been declared Fair Game. It will be dismantled and destroyed.
“When Anonymous, sees an evil fascist brainwashing organization.
Anonymous knows, it has to help mankind. Because Anonymous knows that it is only Anonymous that can help.”
Members of the Church.
Anonymous is not your enemy.
The Church of Scientology is your enemy.
The Church has enslaved you.
Free Yourselves.
Change, does not roll in, on the wheels of inevitability.
But comes through continuous struggle.
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor.
It must be demanded by the oppressed.
Take it. Demand it.
We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not Forgive. We do not Forget.”
I am not really sure what to make of this. It seems to be though that the Church of Scientology might need to hire a good team of PR individuals (soon). The only Legion that I am aware was the Legion of Doom (during the so-called great hacker war). It, however, is doubtful that it is them even though a majority of the members were never caught, though you never can tell.
For more information on the Legion of Doom:
More on Windows 7
This is either a hoax or Microsoft is planning on doing a Vista R2/SE to fix the issues with it while charging consumers. I am aware that this is an M1 build, but still, it is a virtual clone of Vista. It is almost exactly the same operating system. This was not the case with Windows XP or Vista during their early “leaked” preview days. Maybe, this is the roll out to the media center that was planned in late 2008 or earlier 2009.
Someone is going to have to post some kind of system dump of their user logs, file system and registry before I get excited about this being the new version of Vista. I am not even sure I would believe it if the word came from Microsoft directly (because it would seem like a diversion to something bigger and better that they were planning). On the other hand, this could simply just be the Win95 to Win98 upgrade or more like Win98 to Win98SE that we have all experienced in the last.
This is not the radical departure of the traditional Windows with a rewrite and virtualization for compatibility that we expected Windows 7 to be. Nor, is it a return to the roots of XP. This clearly is Vista with some less useful services shutoff by default (and other memory optimization) and maybe a few graphical UI changes thrown in for good measure.
