The Baby Boomers Generation

So called baby boomers because of the surge in birth rates following World War II. They are born between 1946 and 1964 where economic growth and prosperity took place. Although it is a Western phenomenon, similar surges occurred in other parts of the world not necessarily for economic reasons but maybe because of heath improvement and other factors. Members of this generation regardless of their birth location share similar characteristics.

They are mainly conservative who believe in maintaining those values, which passed the test of time. They are loyal, hardworking, have strong work ethics and value relationships, confident, creative and adaptable to change, motivated, competitive and team oriented. In 2025, it is estimated that 205 million baby boomers still alive worldwide, which implies that 60 – 70 per cent still living.

It is in my view that it is a unique generation and no other in the past, present or in future will have those attributes and or witnessed and achieved what this generation had, which is the reason I thought it is the time to give them some tribute.

They have witnessed major historical, cultural and technological events that should be mentioned:

  • Post WWII recovery
  • Conflict in the middle East, which intensified after the creation of Israel in 1948
  • Korean war in 1950 and Vietnam war in 1955
  • Several political assassinations such as John Kennedy
  • Fall of the Berlin war in 1989 and the end of cold war
  • The birth of black and white TV and the color one later
  • The revolution in music led by the Beatles in 1964
  • The moon landing in 1969 and significant advancements in space technology
  • The gaining of independence of many countries, with the majority emerging from decolonization
  • The invention of significant number of electrical appliances that made human life much easier and better
  • The birth of computer technology and its rapid development
  • The birth of internet and electronic devices such the tablet and mobile
  • Women independence and their gaining of equal opportunity in every aspect of life
  • The rise of progressive politics (known as the Left or Sick in the head)
  • Rise of Islamic terrorism and the September, 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S.
  • Donald Trump who is another unique individual. Like him or not, unlike any other politician, he is energetic and proactive and has been able in a short period of time to revive the reputation of his country and made his name a household brand.

 

They have not only witnessed the above, which is not exhaustive but also made significant contributions. This is what they achieved:

  • Built and led major corporations
  • Drove the technology boom of the 1980s and 1990s
  • Expanded global trade and financial markets
  • Developed personal computing, software, and internet
  • Advanced medical research including cancer treatments and organ transplants
  • Contributed to space exploration
  • Took leadership roles in government, education, and activism
  • Created awareness for environmental protection
  • Defined and evolved modern music, film, and literature
  • Supported women and strengthen their value in family life
  • Created iconic brands, media, and cultural institutions
  • The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr) redefined music in the 1960s.
  • Individuals such as Bill Gates who founded Microsoft and Steve Jobs who founded Apple, both shaped the computer technology and digital media.
  • Donald Trump who is a member of the generation, strong leader and different from other politicians.

It is not possible to list everything, and what they achieved may be viewed by some as good and bad by others, and the above does not imply that they are perfect. Some of them failed and committed wrong. A fair example is the last three individuals mentioned above who failed in some respects and were strongly criticized. We should remember that wrong does not diminish the good, and it is the wrong that we learn from. It is the objective of this document to include the positives of this generation and the legacy they will leave behind.

To conclude, there is one piece of good news for the baby boomers, that is they will not witness the full outcomes of artificial intelligence, which, I believe, will be very ugly.

God bless the baby boomers.