Posted on 02/22/2010 6:57:32 AM PST by JoeProBono
Relatively few actual experts these days use that old widely-discredited 1946-1964 definiton for the Boomer Generation. The Census Bureau has absolutley nothing to do whatsoever with defining cultural generations, it simply speaks to the demographic phenomenom of birth rates in this context.
It is important to distinguish between the post-WWII demographic boom in births vs. the cultural generations born during that era. Generations are a function of the common formative experiences of its members, not the fertility rates of its parents. And most analysts now see generations as getting shorter (usually 10-15 years now), partly because of the acceleration of culture. Many experts now believe it breaks down more or less this way:
DEMOGRAPHIC boom in babies: 1946-1964
Baby Boom GENERATION: 1942-1953
Generation Jones: 1954-1965
Generation X: 1966-1978
If you research this, you’ll find that most experts no longer use that old increasingly obsolete ‘46-’64 Boomer definition.
This is a very relevant, yet underplayed component to the issue of marijuana legalization...there is a generational component here which might well be a gamechanger: Obama, and many of his key appointees, are members of Generation Jones-—born 1954-1965, between the Boomers and Generation X. Many top national commentators (from Newsweek, NBC, CNN, etc.) have spoken about the importance and relevance of GenJones as the new generation of leadership; this could be a gamechanger re. the drug issue for at least two reasons:
1) Jonesers are by far the biggest pot smokers compared to the other generations. While Boomers are associated with pot, it was only a small, albeit very visible, segment of Boomers who actually smoked pot back in the day. Govt. and independent studies show that Jonesers as teens (in the 1970s) smoked 15 to 20 times more pot than Boomers did as teens. And not only did Jonesers smoke much more grass than any other generation of teens in US history, but still today—in middle-age—smoke it a remarkable amount. The data is really striking.
2) One of the key collective personality traits consistently attributed to Jonesers is their pragmatism; they are far likelier to put aside ideology and deal with drugs in a realistic and practical way.
Google Generation Jones, and you’ll see it’s gotten a ton of media attention, and many top commentators from many top publications and networks (Washington Post, Time magazine, NBC, Newsweek, ABC, etc.) now specifically use this term. In fact, the Associated Press’ annual Trend Report chose the Rise of Generation Jones as the #1 trend of 2009. Here’s a page with a good recent overview about GenJones:
http://generationjones.com/2009latest.html
If ever there was a generation of leadership open to legalizing pot, it probably is Generation Jones. And if there ever was a time that the country might be open to this change in drug laws, perhaps it’s now...
Tell him about synthetic urine. It has never failed me.
Like a person in the article, I too have Degenerative Disc Disease. IT SUCKS. The doctors just throw pills at the problem. Pot lets me live my live at about 60% functionaltiy, which I consider a blessing from God. Also, I am less stoned when using only pot, because the pills really knock me out, but pot lets me interact with the world, albeit in a less cerebral manner.
Hmm. I was under the impression that (in most states) you could legally but the “wrong” product but will get arrested for buying the “ok” product.
Most of the angry jackasses I know are drunks. They also tend to be violent.
Using what standard?
Throw every damn one of them in prison!
Anyone stupid enough to belong to AARP apparently has already fried their brain with marajuana!
Drugs and alcohol are not mutually exclusive.
I was not speaking of “legal” as much as socially acceptable.
It seems to me that getting throw in jail is the ultimate sign of social unacceptability.
No. In fact, they are the same thing.
As long as they don’t start hanging out in speak-easys listening to jungle music I guess it is okay.
May 12 2009:
45% Support
46% Oppose
9% Undecided
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/california/toplines/toplines_california_budget_crisis_may_12_2009
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The most interesting finding is the fall in opposition between May 2009 and November 2009. Support has risen from 45% to 47% to 49%, while opposition has declined from 46% to 42% to 38%.
That’s great news, but how long, O Lord, must we wait before we see some major changes in the law?
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