Back To The Future: The Coming Culture Of Middle Age

By Tom Barnes
3/90

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The vanishing of the Soviet threat and the end of the cold war will mark the beginning of a new era. It is no coincidence that as the baby boomers turn forty, their political and economic influence is hitting critical mass. It is cliche to say those who do not know the past are doomed to repeat it. It is the cyclical nature of history. We are repeating history. I hope everyone has fond memories of Ike, because he has been reincarnated as George Bush.

Just like the first 12 years after world war two, our culture will again be a culture of middle age. We are seeing a culture of security and conservative, perhaps even fundamentalist values evolving around us. The current baby boom, in its comfort and security, is building another baby boom. It is the late forties and early fifties once again. Instead of the "Red Threat" however, we are challenged by nuclear arms in the hands of third world dictators, global terrorism, an ever widening rift between the classes and environmental deterioration.

Cultural and entertainment industries will be replaying the past in more ways than one. Just as in the late forties and early fifties, evergreen artists will begin to cover evergreen songs. Popular culture will feed on itself, finding little room for originality. Movie-sequel-mania will follow us into the next century. As they age, Baby boomer tolerance for true creativity will lower as their interest in the untried wanes. There will be less and less room for that which does not promote security and stability as the baby boomers seek to extend beyond themselves by building families. As the baby boomers families grow and age, they will become more risk aversive.

For youth this means alienation. Thus rock and roll will be vitally important as a means of separating from parents. But while you might see Anthrax playing "Bring The Noise" on MTV you may be hard-pressed to find it on the radio in America's heartland. Youth culture will be driven back underground as their parents age and become less interested in being "fashionable".

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