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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
#2

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Bonnie Blue Bird
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of people are putting their heads in the sand on this topic. It's a mystery to me as to why.

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#3

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WilvanderHeijden
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. Even the pre-boomer generation wouldn't give you that advice. I'm a boomer but my father always told me to follow the money. If you can get more money working elsewhere then don't hang around and move on.

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#5

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Vic
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now this here is good advice.. And the secret behind a long life is... Just don't die..

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#6

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Alia G.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wholesome :) i hope boomers like her know the whole ok boomer movement isn't targeted at her

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#7

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Willem Groenewald
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Making that follow up call makes a big difference. I immigrated, and was applying to tons of jobs online. For weeks I received no replies and no interviews. I then started to call just after each submission. That same day I got two interviews lined up.

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#9

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Alia G.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i think that's something healthy to keep in mind, boomers were part of the most intense first wave civil rights movements, they protested against wars, and some learned to overcome their own racism, sexism, and homophobia. "ok boomer" is used to insult boomers who refused to change with the times and continue to act like bigotry is acceptable.

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#11

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Foxxy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can’t imagine my hubby concreting whilst wearing a suit and tie. Impractical, unsafe and uncomfortable.

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#12

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WilvanderHeijden
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's reverse that: "If you pay me more I might be willing to work harder."

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Tambot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, if you need something ask. I am starving, could I please have food might be a good start.

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Janine B.
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not? A lot of companies will appreciate that. Maybe they ask you to leave your job application so they can call you in case they are hiring.

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People really fail to grasp the relative decrease in income compared to the increase in cost of living that has happened over the last 50 years. A minimum wage job used to be a living wage. Now you need about three such jobs to stand a chance.

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#20

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John Montgomery
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah. Because that's exactly what everyone wants. Zero free time. /full sarcasm.

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#21

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always start in the mail room... even if there isn't actually a mail room. Just start there anyway.

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#23

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Vic
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now here is where a fifth of Whiskey might help..

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#25

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's an article out there somewhere, that showed you could pay your way through Harvard on minimum wage with something like an average of four hours work a day, and now you would need to work 72 hours a day to achieve the same (not the exact figures, but something equally crazy).

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#26

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Wietse Pot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should follow their own advice. Or is this one of those "Do as I say, don't do as I do" things?

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Monica Patton
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that is because they paid that Social Security, it is actually their money.

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#34

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WilvanderHeijden
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Europe this still is true. And also: Why pay 800 euros rent when your mortgage is 600 Euros?

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#35

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Stevie B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not to mention, no one wants to work with a constant nuisance.

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Umgreg Universe
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my GOSH that's basically what my dad always said, but he makes it about school.

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#39

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J. Zingler
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I believe in the horse. The automobile is a temporary appearance - Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany, 1916" ;)

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#42

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Isabel Contardo
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always get the "when you have children you'll understand". But I don't want children. "When you meet the right man, you'll change your mind". The right man for me won't want children. "Then he'll be gay". Yeah ok, boomer dad.

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#43

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Monday
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well to be fair, save 1/3 of your paycheck is excellent advice....it's just not realistic for most people.

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Mewton’s Third Paw
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has been the most frustrating one for me as a millennial. Great that you had two kids and a cat and a marriage and two cars and a house by age 25. The same generation that told us we were “too young” and wouldn’t take us seriously until we turned 30 and then as SOON as we turned 30, they rub it in our faces that now we are “too old” for some of our problems and we should be further ahead. You treated us as infants until you treated us as middle aged losers. Infuckingfuriating.

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#45

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Monday
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unpaid internships are fine when they form part of your education....but once you graduate it's pretty normal to expect payment since you now have the qualification.

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#49

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Lynda Momalo
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was the standard, say 40 years ago. Now it's about 1/3 of your paycheck.

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#51

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John Montgomery
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never understood the "it's not a real job". Are you getting paid? Yes. Then it's a job. One could argue if the job is good paying, but it's still demonstrably real.

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By advising everyone to get a degree, it renders the degree system pretty worthless in terms of being an advantage.

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#56

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J. Zingler
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany it acttually works like that, like - 25% for loud noise and up to - 100% for no heating or no gas = no cooking or no electricity due to a cable fire.

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#57

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Andrew Carpenter
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many states offer down payment assistance, Illinois offers $7,500. There is a conventional loan with a 3% down payment not the 20% that everyone wrongly assumes. Source: I'm a millennial Realtor in Chicago.

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#58

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love lying in bed with a good book, or lying in bed watching Netflix. Somebody tell me how to monetize that already. LOL.

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#59

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Pseudo Puppy
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4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Also: Boomers fought for the recognition of domestic violence being a crime, and not simply a "marital issue". It is BECAUSE of Boomers, that there are now laws in place protecting victims. It is BECAUSE of Boomers that there are things such as domestic violence shelters, and services helping victims. It is BECAUSE of Boomers, that countries now have government support such as Single Parent Pensions, enabling the primary care giver has the financial support to divorce / leave an unhappy / abusive relationship. It is BECAUSE of Boomers, that fascilities like daycare are as widespread as they currently are (yes, they existed in various forms beforehand - but were extremely rare)

#60

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Tiny Dynamine
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only 2 decades? Certain goverments maintain perpetual wars because there's profit to be made out of selling arms and killing people.

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#61

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lost a lot of boomer relatives when I married a person of color. Their loss.

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#63

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Tiny Dynamine
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha! Really?! They'd probably think you were mentally ill and escort you out.

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Unwelcomed Guest
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is kind of true. The award wage that the union negotiated for you is the minimum they have to pay you. When I was a nurse I was often paid above award because they wanted my skills and I asked to be compensated

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Twenty years ago, I would have advised anybody with the inclination to get a degree. I no longer believe it's necessarily of benefit.

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