Talkin bout Meh Generation!

Technically, I fall at the tail end of Gen X, which is considered the 13th Generation in the United States (1961 - 1981; directly following the Baby Boomers, this is the 13th Generation from Ben Franklin.) So many movies and books refer to this grouping (Douglas Coupland, Reality Bites, etc.) I just don't relate as well as, say, my brother or older cousins. This was the time of Grunge (yes, I bought Teen Spirit just like everyone else) and MTV. I was still watching Animaniacs and having sleepovers. Am I Gen X? I don't think so.

Here's a brief history of some of the named Generations.

Lost Generation - Those that fought in WWI. Kinda sad name actually. "Hi, I'm in the Lost Generation... and I don't mean the TV show.")

Interbellum Generation - Those born at the end of the 19th Century into 1915 (This would be my Grandpa Ignatz "Happy" Heppler. German immigrant and farmer.)

Greatest Generation - Those that fought in WWII, born 1916 - mid 1920s. Tom Brokaw named them in a book and it stuck. A little pompous in my opinion to say you are the GREATEST Generation, but they lived through the Depression and fought a serious war, so I'll shut up about that.

Silent Generation - Born between 1925 - 1945. These are generally the ones to young to fight, the Depression had a profound impact on them, life was hard. My Mother and Father were of this group. Although, my mother does not remember much of the War, her older brother was an enlisted Navy (lied about his age) and in Europe.

The Baby Boom- Yeah, I think we all know about these guys. 1945 - 1965. Thanks for the sweet music, art, political movements and more. Please take your vitamins and watch your cholesterol.

Gen X - Already discussed. Holla Yuppies!

Gen Y (Millenials, Generation Next) - The fact that they can't agree on a name, or dates, pretty much sums it up. Some say it's late 1970's to early 2000... other say 1981 to early 21st Century. The advent of the Hipster. Are you wearing your Hush Puppies with a sardonic t-shirt?

Generation Z (Digital Natives, Gen Tech) - These are the Noobs. They don't remember the days of Crapple 2e computers, no internet, cell phones bigger than phone books (Hello Zach Morris!) These are the kids who are smarter, faster, more connected and with less privacy.

So where does that leave those of us kids born in 1976 - 1981? We're a little bit of the misfit toys. We can easily jump between groups. Hanging with Gen X and relating to watching 90210 and Friends... and then hopping down to Gen Y & Z with our iPhones, iPads, iPods and rocking out on the XBOX for ultimate Rock Band supremacy. I hate to say it, but John Mayer might be the poster child for this small segment. We should get a special generational name for this transitional period.

I'm still trying to think of a good name though... Generation Meh?