[CC'd to the entertainment and marketing industries]
Dear kids,
You know how every generation has a catchy name? Gen X, The Me Generation, The Pepsi Generation, whatever. You know what yours is going to be? Generation Repeat. Why, you ask? Because everything about your culture, with the exception of some emo songs, is stolen from us. And by "us" I mean people old enough to be your parents. People who actually are your parents (and it is with creative liberty that I refer to "generation" here as "anyone coming of age in the 80's, 90's or 00's.).
I know it's not your fault. You can't help it if the marketers, PR guys, and TV heads put out entertainment and fashions that act as the call of the siren for you. You can't buy or like what's not out there and I'm sorry your choices are so limited. I think it's up to you, the kids who are being spoon fed this regurgitated crap, to come up with your brand of cool.
We never stole from other decades. You didn't see us suddenly showing up for prom in flapper outfits or hanging out at the arcade with a pack of cigarettes rolled up our t-shirt sleeve. You even stole swing. Who the hell would think to repeat something like that? Blame Brian Setzer all you want, but you bought the records, you danced the dances.
Since the 80's ended, it's been nothing but pop culture on repeat. You had your bellbottoms and tie-dye shirts. A million tv shows dedicated to going down on the past like an old boyfriend you're trying to win back. That 70's Show. That 80's Show. We Love the 70's. We Love the 80's. We Love the 90s? Are we going to be nostalgic for the future next?
When I walk through the local mall and I feel like I've reverted back to 1976. I went through this once, why are you forcing me to do it again? The haircuts are straight out of my high school year book. The t-shirts are all Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. The girls are wearing Hukapoo shirts and tube tops, the boys constantly flitting the hair out of their eyes, looking for all the world like Matt Dillon in Over the Edge. Even your emo music and punk fashion isn't new. Hello? Is this Dashboard Confessional? Morrisey called, he wants his act back. And if you see Good Charlotte tell them Black Flag wants to kick their asses.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Lisa
Great post, Michele. You're absolutely right, this generation lacks originality. I used to complain that bell-bottoms seemed to be making a comeback but if nylon parachute pants, gold lame purses and Vans reappear, I really AM gonna hurl.
And no one can recite more lines from Airplane! than me.
2 - Mark Sahm
While I agree that the originality has been scarce in what we see in the media, I sincerely hope that this upcoming generation is not defined solely on pop culture.
Hopefully, a future biologist walks among them that might find a cure for AIDS, or an engineer that rids us of our oil dependency. But maybe I'm just dreaming. I am a Gen Xer after all. ;)
3 - dietdoc
Mark writes: " I sincerely hope that this upcoming generation is not defined solely on pop culture."
Reply: Mark, I hope you are right. I, however (as we, the old and gnarled generations being supplanted, througout time immemorial, have always done) have little hope of that.
Cheers (sitting back into my rocking chair),
Ron
4 - Maynard
"I picked a bad week to stop sniffing glue"
5 - JR
We never stole from other decades.
The hell you didn't.
Besides, if Generation Repeat is the first generation to steal everything from previous generations, isn't that an innovation?
6 - SFC Ski
I'll agree with the haircuts comment, it's like my yearbook has come to life, it's almost like a movie set in 1979.
At least the AC/DC shirts are still around. Kids gotta have some good music.
7 - andy marsh
I'd just like to tell the kids...those pants some girls used to where...back in the 80's...you know the ones...the jeanie pants...slit all the way up the side and tied at the bottom...they can bring those back..as long as they only allow them to be sold to women with nice legs...
8 - matt
This argument would be great and all but these terrible remakes, fashions, and trends you speak of were most likely devised and marketed by someone in your generation. We're all fucked (culturally speaking), no need to point fingers
9 - michele
That's why I wrote [CC'd to the entertainment and marketing industries].
I'm as much to blame as the next guy. Who is buying the Zeppelin cds and Pink Floyd t shirts for my kids? Me. I'm guilty of encouraging the behavior.
10 - dietdoc
J.R. writes: "The hell you didn't."
Reply: True, dat! Every generation "steals" (we should preferably use the term "builds on...") the previous one. In all aspects of life, culturally and all levels. Sometimes it's a good thing; most times it is not. Movie remakes? Uusually not. Clothing? Toss-up. You can find examples everywhere you look. We should do a blog just on this topic.
For us, the old farts, it's a bad thing (lack of imagination, etc). For the young, it's a "retro" thing. But it happens, all generations, ad infinitum.
Whatever floats your boat. Besides, which generation claims "blogging?" The current generation, I think.
Cheers,
Ron
11 - ClubhouseCancer
Yeah, I remember back in the 60s and 70s...we'd sit around listening to hip-hop mashups on our iPods, sipping cappucino and watching those ever-present reality shows. Or just chat endlessly on the Internet about the latest DVD we just watched in our hybrid SUV.
It's like deja vu.
12 - michele
When did people start taking light hearted opinion blog posts so literally?
13 - dietdoc
Michelle, while I don't, personally, take anything posted on BC as something to "be taken literally" - or, usually, even seriously - someone, somewhere might be having a bad day. These folks might, as a result - and absolutely disconected with blog, itself - feel the need to vent. And vent they do. Very therapeutic for all concerned. As long, of course, that it not be taken literally.
Cheers,
Ron
14 - David Cerda
I don't mind them re-making 'The Poseidon Adventure' as much as I mind the actors and director going on and on about how it's going to be a 'better' movie because of the new technology. Computer effects do not make for a better movie!!! Stella Stevens in silver platform shoes and panties and Shelly Winters swimmming underwater do!
15 - michele
David, the worst part is it's not even a remake. It's a "retelling" as they say. Look at the IMDB page - none of the original characters are even listed.
16 - Jak Castro
As bad as all the remakes you list were, and you could have mentioned many more- but we thank you for not doing so, the worst part is that those who go see these bad remakes don't bother to check out the original classics that the abominable remakes were "based" on.
The good news would be that it makes the older generation go back to view the originals that they remember.
If only the younger generation would take the time to, at the very least, rent the original films.
The Poseidon Adventure remake isn't a remake. It is no longer even called by the same name- simply "Poseidon". A last attempt at saving face with the fan base in case they fail- which they most likely will do.
Simply more fodder for another blog. Thanks Michele for your open letter and insights.
17 - DrPat
"What's the matter with kids today?"
--First said by Ogg, GenZero caveman, upon catching sight of his son's friends with their new-fangled "fire."
18 - Dennis Grabowski
As I do agree with you everyone has to remember that there our only so many chords, beats, and ideas for music you could come up with. It is not like any of you fricking people our coming up with new ideas yourself you are just bashing everyone else for not doing it. Instead of complaining and whining about it, why don't any of you people come up with a new idea? Oh thats right be cause you probably can't think of one. Also it is not like this generation will be remembered for Trapped In A Closet, which is by the way one of the most creative thing ever done musically. We also have the internet and all sorts of other technology that was never thought possible back in the day. There is also there era of our dance music which was also never done before the late 90's. In the early nineties there was grunge music which was also something different. Furthermore if you want to get even technical it is old people like yourselfs that keep that our remaking all those movies. It isn't like it is kids in their 20's. I love how everyone is critic. Stop being losers and critizing us and worry about your own lives. Last time I checked no one holding a gun to anyones head forcing them to watch and listen to anything.
19 - michele
"I love how everyone is critic"
This IS blogcritics, buddy.
20 - katie
That's what I LOVE about GenXers- the sweet way they get all vociferous and vengeful when they realise that we were all actually listening when they strapped us into our child restraints and made us listen to back-to-back Zep on the 12 hour car trips.
21 - jfrueden
Kick my ass at video games? I'd like to see you try it. First Atari, then all of the better games that came out in my generation. And what the hell do you think you know about our punk if you list Good Charlotte as some sort of frontrunner?
22 - michele
That was a slam on Good Charlotte and the kiddies who think Good Charlotte is punk music.
Also, you do NOT want to challenge me to video games. Trust me on that.
23 - michele
And is it me or is this generation way too defensive?
24 - Shark
Coupla points:
1) Culture is a continuum, variations on previous themes.
2) In this post-post modern world, everything has been done. Yah, I know they said that before, but don't let that fool you; EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DONE -- and I can prove it with a pencil and paper.
3) You blame the wrong folks; it's not "this" younger generations fault; it's the MARKETING PEOPLE in their parents and grandparents generation! They raised a generation of mindless morons who are nothing more than Addicted Consumers, which was their goal. It keeps "the economy" going -- and what's good for Hollowood, MacDonald's toy tie-ins, and MTV is good for America.
4) Ironic that a post criticizing stupid youth devolves into an argument over who is baddest when it comes to playing a fucking video game. The End is Near, yall.
5) If you're in over 40 and in Marketing -- or just young and stupid, please kill yourself. Seriously -- for the good of the future of humankind, suck the tailpipe of your BMW -- or hang yerself with your Playstation 2 wires.
Seriously.
Thanks in advance,
The Management
25 - chidget
I don't really think anyone is jelous of any previous generation. I also don't think anyone considers the slew of terrible movie remakes to be 'theirs'. Plus, better at videogames? By now your reflexes have slowed down so much that any of us could kick your ass at whatever repeditive monotonous videogame you consider a classic.