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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

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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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

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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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

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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

Actually I have to say (not a boomer) I can't stand this attitude. I usually have three other people who want to do the work. You have to show me you have a work ethic before I can move you up in the company.

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

This one is a load of c**p that I learned the hard way over and over again. Got taken advantage of PLENTY and was passed over for a few promotions because "I was just too integral in the role I was already in."

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Catlady6000
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's when you start looking for other work. I've had three separate employers offer what I had been asking for as soon as I turned in my notice. I took great pleasure in telling each of them that I would've stayed if they'd listened the first time I asked for raise, transfer, etc. I made sure they knew that was exactly why I was leavign

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

Wow... this... is at the TOP of "worst advice ever" - all this does... is signal "Oooh. This employee will do everyone else's work for cheap." - cue mental health problems and stress shingles (not an exaggeration)... then being denied any sort of raise because you were 'off sick' (also not an exaggeration)

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

If you work harder then the rest, you'll get more work thrown at you.

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

Nope. They will just use you until you are doing the jobs of multiple people.

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

Look out after yourself just as the company only looks out after the company

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

Nope. They just see it as proof that you'll work hard for what they're already paying.

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

Even worse, do a fantastic job, better than anyone else and not only do you get nothing for it, the next year they tell you they expect more. I learned that after 10 years of beating my performance reviews because I'm surer to learn. They always want more but do a normal amount or a little lower, and they're happy and you're not overdoing yourself and keep some for the year after.

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

Then why was my entire family poor during the duration of my childhood

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

I have worked my hardest and absolute best in every single job, even jobs I hated. Didn't affect my pay one bit.

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

Again, this is bs. Look into why unions were formed way back when.

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

B******t. It's been 3 years since I had a raise and I'm pretty sure the place would fall apart without me.

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

unsure of what industry you're in etc... but perhaps asking for a promotion will be more productive than asking for a pay rise? Often, each role has a set budget allocated to it, so they can't give a pay rise within that specific role (especially if the role is a standardised position). Having been in your shoes, I found that asking for a promotion, based on the proven track record, is far more productive. I wish you only the best (& a future pay rise, in whatever form) :)

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

It happens. You just have to actually go out and work hard. It's a pretty simple equation.

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

It doesn't. What actually happens is "Your best today is our demand tomorrow". That's why I usually tell interns to not work too hard - the only result from that will be that employer will expect that "too hard" every day, screwing up both the intern and people who work with him.

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

One of my employees told 2 of the newer ones not to bust their a*s for the low pay. They busted a*s anyway and have each received raises, the whiner is still making what he did when I hired him.

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

I am working in IT for about 10 years, and I've never seen them. What I've seen though, is one guy busting his a*s and increasing performance once, and then management deciding that increase would be a new norm. And demand it from everyone. Nobody likes scabs.

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

Show them how much of a lazy a** you can be and see if that work better...

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

Being willing to take on more responsibility, IS how you show you're ready for promotion. (doesn't mean you WILL get the promotion, or when you want it.) The whole "pay me first, then I'll show you I can do it", is illogical. It's asking to be rewarded without evidence of ability.

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

And how much f*****g EVIDENCE DO YOU F*****G NEED??? Oh, you've only busted your a*s for 12 years, we want 15. Oh, you made it to 15? We want 20. F**k you and this attitude.

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#14

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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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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#17

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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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#19

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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
Community Member
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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#27

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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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#30

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Note: this post originally had 96 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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