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Are you tired of the phrase 'OK Boomer' yet? Originating from the exasperation and futility of arguing with people who approach the world's problems from a position of security and privilege, the meme has quickly morphed into a lame conversation killer, mindlessly and derisively parroted by people who disagree with anyone who happens to be older than them.

I blame the online culture of 'savage putdowns,' 'mic-drops' and 'word murders' for this – we have come to believe that the way to 'win' a debate is to flounce out with a particularly biting or amusing insult, at the expense of logic and reason. 'OK Boomer' is not clever, and it's not even funny anymore. It's smug, boring and counterproductive.

This post highlights the generational divide that we face today, as younger people share the out-of-touch advice that they have received from their elders. Because let's face it, the structural inequality, economic insecurity and environmental destruction that Millenials and Gen X'ers have inherited are a direct result of the selfish, greedy neoliberal policies championed by Boomers over the last 30 years.

Understandably, the younger generations are a bit upset at their comparative lack of opportunities and are even more frustrated by the absence of understanding and empathy shown in useless pieces of 'advice' like this. But it works both ways. Whilst Boomers could better educate themselves as to the realities of the modern world, and acknowledge that the kind of lifestyles they enjoyed are excessive, damaging and no longer attractive or attainable; casually dismissing the opinions and life experience of older people with thoughtless phrases like 'OK Boomer' ultimately achieves nothing but more division and even less understanding.

What do you think? How can we better bridge the gaps between generations to have more useful, constructive debates and discussions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Image credits: Freeyourmindkid

#1

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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Jon S.
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a boy aged 12 or less is mean to you, he probably does, since at that age boys interact with their friends by challenging them, name calling, pranks and play-fights. If they are older than 14 though, just an a*****e.

Renee Gauthier
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, I've seen girls be mean to boys they like too. I always figured both were pretending they hated someone to hide the fact that they like them.

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Jean Jacket
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To all the guys saying "this only applies to little kids" - where do you think it starts??!! Stop enabling this behavior in children, and they won't turn into adults believing it!!!

Jon S.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you have some method for preventing pre-teens giving each other wet w*****s and practising wrestling moves on each other, there are a lot of parents and teachers who would be super grateful to you.

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boomers also fought for, and created new laws that recognise domestic abuse as a crime, not as a "marital issue".

Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's like the old saying "Oh..it's just kids being kids." No, it's kids being A**holes...who grow up to be adult A**holes.

pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sometimes it's true, just not every time. I was mean to a boy when I was a kid, (I'm female) it was because I liked him. XD Some children are terrible at dealing with their blooming romantic feelings. That doesn't mean you should just put up with it though, that's not what I'm saying.

Christine M Quigley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG- if I heard that one more time, in 7th and 8th grade, from my mother..I even was bruised, by a arm punch from Frank D'Amato in 8th grade. That was assault!! And the school, and my parents did nothing! "He must really like you' was my mother's only comment. What b******t.

Mike Crow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Though to be honest, I heard the opposite when I was a kid. That if a girl was mean to me she liked me. Still agree with the final line though.

Aria
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother tells me this all the time, but I KNOW there is no way every boy in my 8th grade class was in love with me.

Bettina Jansen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yet it has been the fuel of many a romcom and cheesy romance novel.

Iva Kazalova
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Erm I suffered this for years as a kid and it was totally true. Depends on the boy’s age. Age 7 to 12, confessed he was in love with me after he bullied me for years

Stille20
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay... yes and no. A boy may still go for horsing around rather than come strait out and say he is interested. However being strait up mean is no good.... also a MAN would have learned better ways to express himself.

Donna Reynolds
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mean people are just mean. And they are generally mean to everyone so don’t take it personally.

Mihran Hovnanian
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd argue that's bad advice, nothing to do with boomers... very bad advice. "if a boy is mean to you, stay clear of them"

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