Generation X. I always admired them, just one chronological hiccup before me. Their emphasis on authenticity appealed to me the most, intellectually, though I suppose those who grew up at the time, lucky enough to be spared the same keening sense of alienation as their cultural spokespersons, regarded the whole "movement" as an alien, corporate imposition, the same way those at the cultural center of it came to, for different yet similar reasons.
Still, something at the core of the message – more likely at the core of its subsequent interpretation - rang hollow to me. The notion that they were somehow a cultural-historical afterthought-in-the-making owing to the lack of any grand historical backdrop for said keening – WWII, and, later, the re-invention of American cultural and moral standards. I’ve heard this "lost generation" message, though always after the fact. Some even seemed to adopt a Boomer-backlash mentality, branding themselves victims of the broken marriages ironically facilitated by the love-mentality of their immediate ancestors. Too simplistic, and, I think, more an afterthought. But the irony – that was real.
In any case, this whole "lost generation" - what would the kids these days call it? [me] – ah, yes, MEME! I’ve seen this too in the subsequent, post-X generation (and how insulting to brand them "Y" – the afterthought of the afterthought, though I suppose we are well past even that now, thank God). Where is my historical significance? Irony of ironies – the peace fought for by ancestors scorned. The quick rush of some to post-9/11 service – a next Great Generation!
Oh yeah, ART! Well, here’s the thing – here’s where I egomanically but genuinely declare that the Boomers went wrong, and where. The problem was a lack of individuality. Not in the people – because it was there! – but in the zeitgeitst of communalism. What can break an entire establishment but a MOVEMENT?! Not in itself wrong, and I think we all, nearly all of us, the young-un’s, mourn it the most – the lack of a psychological togetherness, a horizon, coming closer. But at the kernel of that movement – a reaction against conformity. Reacted to with conformity? Okay if you’re right, but who ever really is? Bugbear of all modern social movements, that one. No, you have to have a movement of Individualism! But what the hell is that? Ken Kesey tried it on his bus – BE YOURSELF – he wailed!! But the dismounters? What is the definition of the "other", the "dismounter"? Where were the boundaries? There were some, obviously. Kesey had less boundaries than the movement, in toto, but they are inevitable. Or maybe I’m wrong? Could they dig on Dostoyevski? Could they have eventually? Shatter the future, preserve the past?
Patience on art.
Take a movie like Fight Club. Here’s a movie that was all up in that we-should-be-one alienated id-swamp of the modern young man. Oh, I know, it’s all ironic, Nazi-soap and so forth. Fuck that, trappings to hide Genuineness! Pahlanuik, so I gather through interviews, really admires those who form the real fight clubs in his stead! And, at its core, a reaction against consumerism – in fact a radical anti-capitalist Manifesto!! [see JP Morgan/Chase/BoA/ETC/ETC FALL!!] that I, truly sympathize with (no irony, promise), though recognizing the juvenilia of it all. And, no, not the aimless testosterone rage; the aimed version!
Annnnnyway – the real zeitgeist of the post-Y (?) generation is no communalism whatsoever. At least at the cultural boundaries. Complete individualism. But toward the only thing left. Fukuyama was right – capitalism as the only remaining path! Your own path to the same treasure. Oh you there?, in post-Princeton social service? Well, we’ll see you a couple years down the road, brother. What, you’re staying? Well, when we drop in on you in 25 years, if your kids are good, healthy, and on the shining path, we’ll honor you nonetheless!
Let's not mention the other 95%.
Kids of the "this is what education gets you/eight hideous cars" school. But, of course, not every kid digs that. Not at all. Always there will be artists He said, and thank Him truly. But no art Movement! That is the thing about everything of the last AT LEAST two decades – no real movement! So, we solved the problem I identified? I’m not sure. I’m not sure at all. Yeah, no communalism, all be yourself, but what about social ART?
Subversiveness – TRUE subversiveness - in moviemaking is declared so passe. Music has the potential, but has been scattered about the lands by a vengeful, post-Babel corporate Clear Channel god, forced to walk the Myspace and local music scene earth, with no Movement. Fashion has never had Movement beyond itself – it is unbridled individuality until some other-art movement pops up to inspire its sometimes hideous impersonations. Painting, multi-media, performance art – all individualistic at their core. Unless...
I mourn our advance over that last, needling inconsistency in the fleeting boomer framework. Irony of ironies.