Yes, I'm a lil baby boomer and you might be too
In your early 30s but got parents in their 70s? Then this one's for you...
My friends have a theory that the world is divided into two types of people: those born before 1993 and those who came after. The ones who were born post-1993 don’t remember 9/11, probably don’t know the joy of writing with a Lamy and are dead set in their politics (whatever they are, they’re not Lib Dems). I made my earthly debut in the dying days of 1989 and as such, my world view is peak-middle millennial. But perhaps more importantly, I’m the kid of baby boomers and my tastes and eccentricities have definitely been shaped by having older parents. I grew up watching Some Mothers Do ‘Av ‘Em, reading Agatha Christie but listening to Franz Ferdinand. I have Twitter/X and Instagram but keep a paper work journal and a daily diary. I went on holiday each year to WW1 grave sites in France and Belgium, while also going to Malia.
I’m what I’m calling a lil baby boomer. And you know what? There are more of us out there. I’ve got a friend who’s a couple of years younger than me but who has almost exactly the same taste and cultural references as I do, because our mums were both born in the early 50s. We’re totally different to Gen Z, we’re not like younger zellenials (post-93) and we’re in a different stage of life to geriatric millennials (now in their early 40s).
Whether we like it or not, millennials in general do have things in common with the original baby boomer gen. Apparently, we’re the biggest age cohort in UK today but until recently, baby boomers (1946-1964) were the largest. I guess we’re both kind of self-absorbed generations and I’d argue that we both more optimistic than the generations on either side of us. Even after the 2008 Wall St crash, many of us still felt that sense of ‘work hard and it’ll happen’. I still believe that.
Controversially, I don’t think baby boomers are the worst people in the world. Sure, Tony Blair (born 1953) brought in student fees but it was Gen X-er Nick Clegg (born 1967) who lied to us all about raising the cap. Wasn’t it Gen X Liz Truss who totally tanked what remained of our economy?
And now the BBs are retired and living it up, people like me envy them more than ever. Imagine waking up, doing your morning jog and having the whole day to garden while listening to the radio. Or travelling with all that triple lock pension money! I’d love to ignore the NHS advise on alcohol guidelines, as most BBs seem to do. Every pond and lake around the country seems to be full of post-menopausal women enjoying 7am dips in ridiculous wooly hats - iconic. And yet, I don’t imagine that life really appeals to Gen Z-ers.
So, what makes a lil baby boomer (LBB) different to the rest of the under-40s? These are a few key points:
Moderate politics (more ‘I’m spending Friday night listening to Any Questions/Political Thinking while I cook dinner’ than ‘I’m spending the weekend defacing Hackney bus stops with Socialist Party stickers)
An all-consuming radio habit (particularly R4, 4Extra, R6 and for I suppose LBC. I’m unconvinced real life people listen to Times Radio - prove me wrong)
Relying on terrestrial and main-steam catch up (iPlayer, 4OD or whatever it’s called these days, Netflix etc) rather than Apple TV and Paramount (?)
Keeping a diary not a journal
Not having TikTok… (CPP/the belief that it’s been designed to make everyone more stupid)
… but watching TikToks on Instagram 2 weeks later
Working on Excel and not Asana
An embarrassing collection of cosy crime from Janice Hallett, Richard Osman etc
In-depth knowledge of Agatha Christie novels
Still drinks caffeinated coffee and/or tea
Not as disgusted by cigs as everyone else but judges vapers
Now we’re in our mid-30s and going through a transitional era, it’s high-time we heard a bit more from our middle-of-the-middle set. As you can see above, the convo isn’t going to be TO THE MINUTE fresh hot off the press but I’m still going to jot a couple of thoughts each week from the middle lane. Join me!