Gen X: the most unfortunate cohort

X世代:最不幸的一代人

Editor's Picks from The Economist

新闻

2025-05-14

11 分钟
PDF

单集简介 ...

While Gen Z and Millennials complain the most about the hardship their generations endure, it seems that Gen X may be the real losers. As the cohort enters the "u-bend of life", the data suggest that they're miserable. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
更多

单集文稿 ...

  • The Economist. Hi, this is Ethan Wu,

  • cohost of Money Talks, our business and finance podcast.

  • Welcome to Editor's Picks.

  • We've handpicked an article we recommend from the most recent edition of The Economist.

  • I hope you enjoy it.

  • We suffer, said Seneca, more often in imagination than in reality.

  • The Stoic philosopher could have been talking about the generations.

  • Members of Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012,

  • say that social media ruined their childhood.

  • Millennials between 1981 and 1996 complain that they cannot buy a house.

  • Baby Boomers, between 1946 and 1964, groused that they face an uncertain retirement.

  • Many forget about Generation X, which is made up of those born between 1965 and 1980.

  • Proxied by Google searches,

  • the world is less than half as interested in Gen X as it is in Millennials,

  • Gen Zers, or Baby Boomers.

  • There are few podcasts or memes about Gen X. Aside from Douglas Copeland's Generation X,

  • Tales for an Accelerated Culture,

  • a novel published in 1991 which popularised the moniker,

  • there are few books discussing the cohort.

  • In Britain,