Why the Boomers Are a Big Noise
.
.
From 1946 through 1964, America experienced a population growth unprecedented in human history. World War II had ended in 1945, and the country was collectively anxious to enjoy the new prosperity they now had, including rushing headlong into parenthood. Over the next eighteen years, Americans did just that-- with gusto. The result was a baby boom that increased the population by nearly 80 million. I was born right in the middle of that boom, and that may explain in part why I found the new PBS documentary The Boomer Century: 1946-2046 so fascinating.
.
The Boomer Century is hardly a nostalgic romp, however. Instead, it looks at the boomer generation's past, present and future in an insightful and entertaining way. The result is a documentary that spans not only the the concerns of the boomers themselves, but addresses the impact they will have on future generations of Americans. Hosted by psychologist and gerontologist, Dr. Ken Dychtwald, The Boomer Century is a fast-paced story in three parts.
The first part focuses on how post -war American society shaped the generation, from the explosion of television culture (In 1946, only 6000 homes owned televisions; within a decade that number had mushroomed to nearly forty million.), to rock and roll, to the social upheaval of the sixties, to the student activism that followed. The second part delves into how this generation reshaped the workplace and redefined lifestyle, for better or worse. The third, and perhaps most important, part examines the impact aging boomers are having on society as a whole. The boomers are such a huge part of the populace, that every eight seconds, another one turns 60. The implications of that are enormous.
Produced and directed by Joel Westbrook and Neil Steinberg, and written by Oscar winner Mark Harris, The Boomer Century offers an incisive look at the generation that has redefined how Americans view themselves, both personally and as a culture. Interspersed throughout the documentary are interviews with a number of prominent boomers, including filmmakers Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner, satirist Lewis Black, novelist Erica Jong, White House press secretary Tony Snow, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond, and futurist Alvin Toffler, among others. They're seamlessly edited into the themes of the program, adding credibility and aiding the fast-paced feel of the program.While this is a program that has an airy aura about it, it challenges all viewers with its questions about what the future holds for American society as the boomers age. It also dispels popular myths about the so-called "Me Generation." Boomers are much more likely to contribute to charities than any other demographic, and have more than 50% more buying power than the coveted 18-39 aged bracket. Eighty percent of boomers intend to keep working after retirement.
On the downside, boomers face enormous challenges in the years ahead. More than a third live paycheck to paycheck, with net assets of less than $1000. Unless a cure or treatment is found, it's projected that 15 million boomers will be stricken by dementia by the middle of the century. And since boomers are living longer, strains will be put on retirement resources over the coming years.For the most part, The Boomer Century remains optimistic about the future of the boomers. While it doesn't shy away from the possibility of "age wars" due to the financial strain that they may put on future generations, it by and large is confident that the boomers will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.Produced and directed by Joel Westbrook and Neil Steinberg, and written by Oscar winner Mark Harris, The Boomer Century offers an incisive look at the generation that has redefined how Americans view themselves, both personally and as a culture. Interspersed throughout the documentary are interviews with a number of prominent boomers, including filmmakers Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner, satirist Lewis Black, novelist Erica Jong, White House press secretary Tony Snow, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond, and futurist Alvin Toffler, among others. They're seamlessly edited into the themes of the program, adding credibility and aiding the fast-paced feel of the program.While this is a program that has an airy aura about it, it challenges all viewers with its questions about what the future holds for American society as the boomers age. It also dispels popular myths about the so-called "Me Generation." Boomers are much more likely to contribute to charities than any other demographic, and have more than 50% more buying power than the coveted 18-39 aged bracket. Eighty percent of boomers intend to keep working after retirement.
will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.Produced and directed by Joel Westbrook and Neil Steinberg, and written by Oscar winner Mark Harris, The Boomer Century offers an incisive look at the generation that has redefined how Americans view themselves, both personally and as a culture. Interspersed throughout the documentary are interviews with a number of prominent boomers, including filmmakers Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner, satirist Lewis Black, novelist Erica Jong, White House press secretary Tony Snow, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond, and futurist Alvin Toffler, among others. They're seamlessly edited into the themes of the program, adding credibility and aiding the fast-paced feel of the program.While this is a program that has an airy aura about it, it challenges all viewers with its questions about what the future holds for American society as the boomers age. It also dispels popular myths about the so-called "Me Generation." Boomers are much more likely to contribute to charities than any other demographic, and have more than 50% more buying power than the coveted 18-39 aged bracket. Eighty percent of boomers intend to keep working after retirement.
On the downside, boomers face enormous challenges in the years ahead. More than a third live paycheck to paycheck, with net assets of less than $1000. Unless a cure or treatment is found, it's projected that 15 million boomers will be stricken by dementia by the middle of the century. And since boomers are living longer, strains will be put on retirement resources over the coming years.For the most part, The Boomer Century remains optimistic about the future of the boomers. While it doesn't shy away from the possibility of "age wars" due to the financial strain that they may put on future generations, it by and large is confident that the boomers will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.Produced and directed by Joel Westbrook and Neil Steinberg, and written by Oscar winner Mark Harris, The Boomer Century offers an incisive look at the generation that has redefined how Americans view themselves, both personally and as a culture. Interspersed throughout the documentary are interviews with a number of prominent boomers, including filmmakers Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner, satirist Lewis Black, novelist Erica Jong, White House press secretary Tony Snow, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond, and futurist Alvin Toffler, among others. They're seamlessly edited into the themes of the program, adding credibility and aiding the fast-paced feel of the program.While this is a program that has an airy aura about it, it challenges all viewers with its questions about what the future holds for American society as the boomers age. It also dispels popular myths about the so-called "Me Generation." Boomers are much more likely to contribute to charities than any other demographic, and have more than 50% more buying power than the coveted 18-39 aged bracket. Eighty percent of boomers intend to keep working after retirement.
On the downside, boomers face enormous challenges in the years ahead. More than a third live paycheck to paycheck, with net assets of less than $1000. Unless a cure or treatment is found, it's projected that 15 million boomers will be stricken by dementia by the middle of the century. And since boomers are living longer, strains will be put on retirement resources over the coming years.For the most part, The Boomer Century remains optimistic about the future of the boomers. While it doesn't shy away from the possibility of "age wars" due to the financial strain that they may put on future generations, it by and large is confident that the boomers will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.Produced and directed by Joel Westbrook and Neil Steinberg, and written by Oscar winner Mark Harris, The Boomer Century offers an incisive look at the generation that has redefined how Americans view themselves, both personally and as a culture. Interspersed throughout the documentary are interviews with a number of prominent boomers, including filmmakers Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner, satirist Lewis Black, novelist Erica Jong, White House press secretary Tony Snow, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond, and futurist Alvin Toffler, among others. They're seamlessly edited into the themes of the program, adding credibility and aiding the fast-paced feel of the program.While this is a program that has an airy aura about it, it challenges all viewers with its questions about what the future holds for American society as the boomers age. It also dispels popular myths about the so-called "Me Generation." Boomers are much more likely to contribute to charities than any other demographic, and have more than 50% more buying power than the coveted 18-39 aged bracket. Eighty percent of boomers intend to keep working after retirement.
On the downside, boomers face enormous challenges in the years ahead. More than a third live paycheck to paycheck, with net assets of less than $1000. Unless a cure or treatment is found, it's projected that 15 million boomers will be stricken by dementia by the middle of the century. And since boomers are living longer, strains will be put on retirement resources over the coming years.For the most part, The Boomer Century remains optimistic about the future of the boomers. While it doesn't shy away from the possibility of "age wars" due to the financial strain that they may put on future generations, it by and large is confident that the boomers will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.
On the downside, boomers face enormous challenges in the years ahead. More than a third live paycheck to paycheck, with net assets of less than $1000. Unless a cure or treatment is found, it's projected that 15 million boomers will be stricken by dementia by the middle of the century. And since boomers are living longer, strains will be put on retirement resources over the coming years.For the most part, The Boomer Century remains optimistic about the future of the boomers. While it doesn't shy away from the possibility of "age wars" due to the financial strain that they may put on future generations, it by and large is confident that the boomers will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.Produced and directed by Joel Westbrook and Neil Steinberg, and written by Oscar winner Mark Harris, The Boomer Century offers an incisive look at the generation that has redefined how Americans view themselves, both personally and as a culture. Interspersed throughout the documentary are interviews with a number of prominent boomers, including filmmakers Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner, satirist Lewis Black, novelist Erica Jong, White House press secretary Tony Snow, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond, and futurist Alvin Toffler, among others. They're seamlessly edited into the themes of the program, adding credibility and aiding the fast-paced feel of the program.While this is a program that has an airy aura about it, it challenges all viewers with its questions about what the future holds for American society as the boomers age. It also dispels popular myths about the so-called "Me Generation." Boomers are much more likely to contribute to charities than any other demographic, and have more than 50% more buying power than the coveted 18-39 aged bracket. Eighty percent of boomers intend to keep working after retirement.
will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.Produced and directed by Joel Westbrook and Neil Steinberg, and written by Oscar winner Mark Harris, The Boomer Century offers an incisive look at the generation that has redefined how Americans view themselves, both personally and as a culture. Interspersed throughout the documentary are interviews with a number of prominent boomers, including filmmakers Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner, satirist Lewis Black, novelist Erica Jong, White House press secretary Tony Snow, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond, and futurist Alvin Toffler, among others. They're seamlessly edited into the themes of the program, adding credibility and aiding the fast-paced feel of the program.While this is a program that has an airy aura about it, it challenges all viewers with its questions about what the future holds for American society as the boomers age. It also dispels popular myths about the so-called "Me Generation." Boomers are much more likely to contribute to charities than any other demographic, and have more than 50% more buying power than the coveted 18-39 aged bracket. Eighty percent of boomers intend to keep working after retirement.
On the downside, boomers face enormous challenges in the years ahead. More than a third live paycheck to paycheck, with net assets of less than $1000. Unless a cure or treatment is found, it's projected that 15 million boomers will be stricken by dementia by the middle of the century. And since boomers are living longer, strains will be put on retirement resources over the coming years.For the most part, The Boomer Century remains optimistic about the future of the boomers. While it doesn't shy away from the possibility of "age wars" due to the financial strain that they may put on future generations, it by and large is confident that the boomers will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.Produced and directed by Joel Westbrook and Neil Steinberg, and written by Oscar winner Mark Harris, The Boomer Century offers an incisive look at the generation that has redefined how Americans view themselves, both personally and as a culture. Interspersed throughout the documentary are interviews with a number of prominent boomers, including filmmakers Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner, satirist Lewis Black, novelist Erica Jong, White House press secretary Tony Snow, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond, and futurist Alvin Toffler, among others. They're seamlessly edited into the themes of the program, adding credibility and aiding the fast-paced feel of the program.While this is a program that has an airy aura about it, it challenges all viewers with its questions about what the future holds for American society as the boomers age. It also dispels popular myths about the so-called "Me Generation." Boomers are much more likely to contribute to charities than any other demographic, and have more than 50% more buying power than the coveted 18-39 aged bracket. Eighty percent of boomers intend to keep working after retirement.
On the downside, boomers face enormous challenges in the years ahead. More than a third live paycheck to paycheck, with net assets of less than $1000. Unless a cure or treatment is found, it's projected that 15 million boomers will be stricken by dementia by the middle of the century. And since boomers are living longer, strains will be put on retirement resources over the coming years.For the most part, The Boomer Century remains optimistic about the future of the boomers. While it doesn't shy away from the possibility of "age wars" due to the financial strain that they may put on future generations, it by and large is confident that the boomers will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.Produced and directed by Joel Westbrook and Neil Steinberg, and written by Oscar winner Mark Harris, The Boomer Century offers an incisive look at the generation that has redefined how Americans view themselves, both personally and as a culture. Interspersed throughout the documentary are interviews with a number of prominent boomers, including filmmakers Oliver Stone and Rob Reiner, satirist Lewis Black, novelist Erica Jong, White House press secretary Tony Snow, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond, and futurist Alvin Toffler, among others. They're seamlessly edited into the themes of the program, adding credibility and aiding the fast-paced feel of the program.While this is a program that has an airy aura about it, it challenges all viewers with its questions about what the future holds for American society as the boomers age. It also dispels popular myths about the so-called "Me Generation." Boomers are much more likely to contribute to charities than any other demographic, and have more than 50% more buying power than the coveted 18-39 aged bracket. Eighty percent of boomers intend to keep working after retirement.
On the downside, boomers face enormous challenges in the years ahead. More than a third live paycheck to paycheck, with net assets of less than $1000. Unless a cure or treatment is found, it's projected that 15 million boomers will be stricken by dementia by the middle of the century. And since boomers are living longer, strains will be put on retirement resources over the coming years.For the most part, The Boomer Century remains optimistic about the future of the boomers. While it doesn't shy away from the possibility of "age wars" due to the financial strain that they may put on future generations, it by and large is confident that the boomers will continue to redefine society well into this century.The Boomer Century premieres on PBS March 28, 9 PM EST. Check local listings for schedules. It's a fascinating program that will give you pause to think. Or at least smile.
.jpg)
