Generation X

Members of Gen X, the 65 million people sandwiched between the baby boomers and millennials, are often thought to be cynics, slackers and loners. Generation X explores the roots of this generation by looking at the forces that shaped it, from the stalemate of the Vietnam War, the increasing divorce rate, the growing latchkey kid phenomenon, the resignation of Nixon and the rise of grunge.

Generation X explores how decades of government corruption scandals like Iran Contra and the Pentagon Papers may have played a role in WikiLeaks, a product of Gen X.

Generation X explores how technological innovations and digital culture have impacted every aspect of gen X-ers’ lives.

Generation X explores how MTV, Napster and the Drudge Report drove a “must have now” sensibility that helped ensure the success of Amazon.

Generation X explores how TV sitcoms, movies, the “Me” decade and online dating redefined traditional families, paving the way for the legalization of gay marriage.

How Martin Luther King, Jr., Rock the Vote, the “Murphy Brown”/Dan Quayle fracas and the OJ Simpson verdict uncovered deep divides in the country, making the election of Barack Obama as the first Gen X president that much more of a historic event.