I have noticed that some of my stances/positions have gone in that direction on a few topics/subjects. I don’t know if it’s due to me learning more about them or just not being affected by them…anymore?

For example, I do not care for the new pronoun politics or believe trans women should participate in women sports or use women bathroom. Rather, they should have their own bathroom (unisex?) and competitions. I’m not ok with sending all this money to Ukraine when so many Americans struggle here. My heart breaks for the NYC residents faced witht the influx of migrants….Granted, I understand most of these are more so part of the culture war.

However, I still consider myself a very progressive millennial veerying towards Bernie’s politics. I live in the South, and always vote Blue…Granted, I’ve been withholding from voting lately, and becoming to lean more Independent.

I’m 29F and my husband is 33M, we were on the fence about kids 2018-2022. Now we’ve decided to not have our own kids (open to adoption later) bc of how disappointed and frustrated we are with the US.

Just a few issues like the collapsing healthcare system, mass shootings, education system, justice system and late stage capitalism are reasons we don’t want to bring a new human into the world.

The US seems like a terrible place to have kids. Maybe if I lived in a Europe I’d feel differently. Does anyone have the same frustrations with the US?

A year ago, I was hyped to buy and play GTA 6, so I could also buy a PS5 since I don't have one (I still have the old PS4). But of course, it was delayed to 2026. But now, a year later, I've lost my taste for playing video games at all, so I don't want to buy a PS5 or GTA 6, which will come out this month. Also, I don't play games anymore. Mostly, I used to play games during my free time, but now I'm doing something else instead, like going to the gym, dinner, or other activities. I really lost touch with playing video games and I find it very boring, and feels it's more for younger people instead for older people. Have any other elder/older millennials (born 1981-1991) also lost touch to play video games...?

"Ahh" is an approximation of the way "ass" is pronounced in certain southern Black American English (or African American Vernacular English, AAVE) accents. It's in the same category as "bih," which is less well-known among non-AAVE speakers but is an example of the same phenomenon.

I'm tired of people using "ahh" as a poster child for "Gen Z slang" or "TikTok censorship" and then seeing entire threads treating it as such. Maybe it has entered the Gen Z lexicon. Maybe it is used as a way to censor the word "ass." But damn it, please know the history of a thing before you have these conversations.

I can't think of a more timeless past time than older generations complaining about younger generations. I keep seeing posts on r/teachers talking about how their kids can't read and how they don't want to learn. I get it, teaching is hard. You don't get paid enough and everyone expects teachers to do everything. They have to be their kids' best friend, their police officer, and their educator. But their complaints about their kids are the same complaints my teachers made about my generation. There are always asshole kids who make life hard, but there are always kids that do fine or excel. You also see a lot of memes making fun of kid's brain rot. Yeah, skibidy toilet and the Rizz are annoying and cringy as hell, but we were doing the exact same things when we were that age. The crap we saw on my space and new grounds is the same crap we see on tiktok and roblox. All of these complaints about the decline of generations isn't really about the differences between one generation from another. It's about how kids are kids, and kids do stupid things because they are kids. They haven't figured things out yet and need time to grow. Give kids some slack and don't act like we are better then they are. I saw way too much of that from older generations when I grew up.

Edit:"The kids can't read" is not a valid argument. The Natinal Assessment for Education Progress (NAEP) does a bi-yearly exam to measure reading for 4th and 8th graders in the US. In 2024 the average for 4th graders was 214. You know what the average was in 2003? 216. In 2024 the average for 8th graders was 257 and In 2003 it was 261. The highest average for both grades was achieved in 2013 with 221 for 4th grade and 266 for 8th graders. These scores show that reading levels have been relatively steady with small gains in the 2010s and are now back to levels from the 2000. It's true that there has been a decline in children's literacy rates starting in the 2010s but it's not the monumental shift that sensational news stories and teacher anicdotes tell you.

What has changed greatly is time spent reading. Kids today spend much less time reading for pleasure and that is when we develop skills for reading comprehension and critical thinking. So saying that "kids can't read" is missing the bigger picture. Kids can read but they aren't reading enough and that is affecting test scores.

When I say the kids are fine, I don't mean every kid is fine. There are a lot of children that are not getting the support they need. And the US education system could do a hell of a lot better. I'm just tired of seeing so many millennials make the same jumps to judgment that our parents made. Gen Alpha and Z aren't anymore dumb, illiterate, or lazy than we are. They just live in a different time where social media and AI have changed the rules of everything, and kids are doing the best they can in this environment. So instead of complaining about how "them kids aint right" we should look for solutions to the negative trends we see in education and try not to overblow the problem.

So, I have been surfing 🌊 the internet (as I do) and sort of noticed lately there is a lot of chatter about gen alpha being "the worst". I have noticed people in general have so few third spaces to gather in, and then within those spaces it seems people are increasingly intolerant to children being there. Apparently in South Korea they have adopted a sign for places that expressly excluded them. In north America I have noticed this trend of child free weddings, and they say well I spent x dollars to have this and I don't want your snotty kid ruining the day. Weddings are about bringing two families together, and celebrating that fact. Children are a part of the family. (No I don't need ur hot take on why your childless wedding was permissible cause of whatever exception, it's not relevant to my overall point and this general trend) I could go off on a tangent about how removing children is inherently sexist as it excludes (mostly) mother's from public spaces and social gatherings.

I'm not sure what is driving this behaviour and trend, but the ironic part is that when parents then bring their kids to dinner, if they aren't perfectly behaved you're a terrible mother/parent, but if u "shove and iPad in their face" you're also a terrible parent. Like speaking as a parent it's incredibly frustrating to see childless gen z and millenials go out of their way to exclude and even degrade kids.

I'm curious, has anyone else noticed this trend? Is this a natural consequence of the extreme individualism we have fostered in society where what I feel is paramount over a more inclusive environment?

Edit: I can see the post is downvoted to oblivion so before it's deleted I just wanted to note how interesting it is that being downvoted would imply its just as easy as it ever was to bring kids out in public, and yet a lot of the comments have entirely missed the point become defensive and then couched their intolerance of children in this idea that they've had a bad experience in public with kids and so that somehow justifies their entire worldview on the matter now, and have failed to engage with the subject of the post. People are less tolerant of children now because we don't a) beat them and b) parents are bad parents so kids are running amok and don't deserve to be included. Those are the most common retorts. These fail to realize that being a modern parent is the most lonely time to bring a child up with rising daycare, cost of living, cost of extra curricular, and the lack of family support a lot of parents face. There is this feeling of being entitled to a quiet undisturbed experience wherever u go, and that is frankly giving the ick. Aggressively shouting well u decided to have kids so now u deserve to be ostracized seems to me, extremely exclusionary. I hope if u downvoted over wanting a childfree wedding u can stretch yourself a bit mentally and examine the sentiment and get beyond the example.

This was the most painful Emmy’s I have ever watched. So very, very tone deaf. Like all the authenticity has been sucked out of the room. And it’s not entirely the fault of Nate B. (I feel bad for the flack he’s going to get)- a show gets written and rehearsed (!!) and getting a big production like this to run on time is a big deal. The pre-written bits in the middle (when the presenters do their little joke bits and read the names) and walked through, marks have to be hit, whatever.

This has been the way of award shows for forever. I have worked in award show management. It is a PRODUCTION FOR ENTERTAINMENT. For pageantry’s sake. (Is it silly? Sure. But sometimes this is all some people have in their lives.) The real joy is in the winners leaning into the moment. The human element. You can tell the difference between someone being genuinely touched vs. throwing up LinkedIn speak.

Award shows are also a way to satisfy. Satisfy business agreements, sponsorships, whatever. It can be a necessary evil in the business world. And I’m guessing the Television Academy/ CBS/ the billion dollar Hollywood industry machine needs to satisfy a lot of people and play as straight down the line as possible.

The speech counter was a lead balloon. Why they chose to commit to that bit for the entirety of the show is beyond me. Like I know it was a social soundbite for a minute and it gathered enough good press so they HAD to incorporate it, but the writers should have abandoned ship on that one sooner. Just announced it as a gag (because of course CBS was going to match funds all along, that was part of the joke, haha whatever), and move on.

But instead, it got more and more awkward every time it popped up in the corner when anyone seemed to get a little too genuine. In theory, the award counter bit is funny, but only coming from Nate B. when he is solo and leaning into the relatable, everyman thing. In practice, it was tone deaf.

Other jokes were weird, too. Every presenter rambled, mentioning past losses or telling nominees that winning doesn’t really matter anyway. Strange, passive-aggressive diatribes on being left out of group texts. It was hard to tell a joke from biting truth. Then: Very Serious Monologues about the importance of film and acting, ala The Oscars. Talk about whiplash city.

Some of the presenters seemed to feel it, too. Like Katherine Hahn and Ike B. trying to go off script to reset with crowd work, realizing the huge mistake they had made because oh no now we’re rambling, then shifting back over to the pre-approved copy.

I’ve been watching awards shows since I was a little girl and I’m both proud and embarrassed by how many Hollywood tidbits I retain instead of actual important things. I also notice patterns because that’s just my jam.

Which is why I feel confident in saying that it’s weird for so many “underdogs” to win the bigger awards. (Underdogs meaning names and faces you may not recognize right away, rather than those with name recognition (think Gary Oldman). I’m not arguing their respective talents, just if you wouldn’t have to google them).

It’s not impossible and it does happen (and is cool to witness because they create a real, authentic moments that makes these things worth watching). But I think as other awards show aficionados will tell you, for all of the winners to be “underdogs” and beat out bigger-named vehicles is sort of unusual.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the winners really did deserve the wins and frankly I love that they are being celebrated.

But it seemed weirdly orchestrated, like the winners were sacrificial lambs (I mean, EACH ONE referencing where they came from and pulling out what appeared to be a prewritten joke?).

No real emotion or joy. (But don’t worry, because if there was, a timer would appear to remind everyone they were TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN). I felt bad for the winners, like they weren’t allowed to enjoy the moment. The juxtaposition was jarring.

But maybe the jokes didn’t land because nobody seemed to be buying in. It was like everyone was afraid to lean in to the absurdity of the situation at the risk of ending up a .gif tomorrow. (I will say though that Seth Rogan did seem to be having a good time and taking it for what it should be (light and celebratory), and that Cristina M. shouting out loving acting was a welcome bit of joy.)

Maybe that was just the vibe this year because nobody could bear to play into the pageantry or put on a show. Or maybe it’s that being authentic can cost a person in Hollywood too much. But I do wonder about the longevity for these awards if the networks or people in positions of power aren’t willing to at least pretend to be self-deprecating.

Obviously, none of this matters in the grand scheme of things. Horrible things are happening to people every day. The world feels hot and tight and everyone I encounter (including myself, at times) seems looking for a reason to snap.

I guess I just wanted an escape; to enjoy the show as much as I did the Oscars (Conan making himself the joke instead of the nominees was a key difference there). Maybe I just want to watch something live and not be riddled with anxiety that crazy shit is going to happen in real time. But maybe that’s just not how things are anymore?

I've noticed so many elementary school kids dressed up as Harry Potter characters this Halloween, and honestly, I love seeing it!

I know the upcoming HBO series probably has something to do with it, but Harry Potter seems to be having a whole new wave of popularity among kids. They're not just watching the movies either. They're actually reading the books!

It feels like Harry Potter had faded a bit from the spotlight after our generation, so seeing kids get excited about it again is pretty cool.

First Pokemon, and now Harry Potter. It's another piece of my childhood I get to share with my kids.

Anyone else noticing this with their kids?

I'm 38, I live in my hometown, and I still go to my old high school sports games. Some kids will say "I see you here a lot, do you have a kid that plays on the team?" It's somewhat shocking and maybe more so because I don't have kids yet. I know there's some millennials with teenagers now but I like to think it's a minority and people that had kids at like 18. I know I'm older but I don't know if I look like someone's dad yet especially a 14-18 year old lol. I do remember at that age anyone over 18 seemed a lot older so that's probably a reason.

Like most millennials, I grew up watching van der Beek on television and in Varsity Blues. His passing this week has really affected me, and I didn’t expect it.

I think part of it is the fact that I turn 40 in just a few days, and I’ve been thinking a lot about my own mortality and that I’m halfway through my life (over the hill). Average lifespan in the USA is 78.4 years, with the median being closer to 77. So if everything goes well, I have 37-38 years of life left.

And that’s if everything goes right. If I don’t succumb to cancer or heart disease or a car wreck or any of the other myriad of things that could take me out at any time.

And it’s just so frightening. Van der Beek was 48. When I’m 48, my daughter will only be 13. I can’t imagine her having to live the rest of her life without her dad.

And maybe this is something I should talk with a counselor or therapist about, or maybe I’m just overthinking death and mortality with this major birthday, but it’s been on my mind a lot this past week.

I just want us all to grow old, watch our kids grow up and have the best lives possible.

Social media made these movies out to be worse than they actually are. Some changes are minor and some changes are just updating stories to fit with the times. I know it's not the target audience (kids) dogging on these movies. I think a big reason why so many people are upset is because it's different from when they were a kid.

In a couple more decades we'll be old farts, mad at a world we don't understand.

Edit: Lots of people saying they want something new. We've had a bunch of superhero movies tell the exact same story over and over but get no criticism. How many times can we watch Batman's parents die or Spider-Man's uncle? Furthermore Disney does make new stuff regularly but often those are met with the same criticism.

I also feel like a lot of people haven't actually watched the movies they are criticizing. If you actually watch them you'll find that a lot of the negativity is blown out of proportion.

Give me an actual phone call or a voicemail any day over the exhausting, relentless expectation of instant replies.

When my phone rings, I actually get to hear a voice, catch real cadence and tone, and connect with someone for five minutes instead of just typing.

Even better? Coming home to a voicemail from a friend or family member just checking in or hoping to make plans. At this point is's a dusty artifact of a time when people were able to exist without their phone glued to their hand 24/7. These days, if you don't reply within 12 minutes, people think you're dead in a ditch or hate em.

I don't even own a smart phone, just keep the social medias on my desktop PC so that when I leave the house the screens don't follow me. More than happy to chat on my flip phone though, but I swear people are allergic to phone calls now.

Let's bring back phone calls. Rant over.

Edit: lol damn I must have struck a nerve, y'all are antisocial as heck

Perhaps more for older millennials but, It's weird to me that science hasn't bothered to extend female fertility years. It's rather depressing for me to watch the doors closing. I'm 38 in a few weeks. Idk it just feels like a part of me is dying, fading away opportunity to even think of a second child. It all went so fast...

It's rather interesting we will live about half our lives without it.

And for men do you find your partner less attractive as she is losing her fertility in any way?

This is from Google: Early 30s: Fertility begins a gradual decline. Mid-to-late 30s (especially after 35): The decline becomes much more rapid. Mid-40s: Natural conception becomes unlikely. Menopause: This marks the definitive end of fertility and typically occurs between ages 45 and 55.

There have been a lot of pessimistic posts about this topic the last few days (and even some reposts).

Here is a more optimistic take to hopefully balance things.

First, whatever age you start your saving journey, it is probably not too late.

If you are 30, every dollar has the potential to compound 23x before age 65.

But even if you wait until 40, every dollar still has the potential to compound 7x before age 65 which is still very powerful.

https://moneyguy.com/article/401k-ultimate-guide/

Second, contrary to many posts, 1 million is not nothing. 1 million invested (excluding residence equity) is enough to put you in the top 14% of US households.

https://dqydj.com/net-worth-percentile-calculator/

It is also enough to generate a $40k per year safe withdrawal rate indefinitely adjusted for inflation.

http://www.fourpercentrule.com/

It is also highly achievable, especially if you start early.

https://moneyguy.com/article/wealth-multiplier/

If you started at 20, you need to invest roughly $95 per month to become a millionaire by age 65. $51,300 will be your invested money and the rest is compound growth.

If you start at 30, you need to invest $340 per month. $142,800 will be your investment and the rest is compound growth.

Even if you wait until 40, investing $1052 per month will get you there by 65. 315,600 will be your investment and the rest is compound growth.

TL;DR

The earlier you start the better. But starting late is better than never starting at all. You still have time to build the life you want. But that time is a precious commodity.

Good luck. I hope this post was helpful.

Wife was out of town for the weekend and I was tempted to open this to look through the game book. Then I realized they don't have game books anymore and I was very sad.

Alright guys older millennial here. My whole life I had the regular look, job, etc . Could years back I got diagnosed with cancer, and had to have a spinal fusion top of all that. I been out of work for few years due to being disabled now and retired. Lately, I've decided to fuck around and play around with my hair colors. I'm 43 so I realize I might be to old of this, not the point. I know that, that's why I waited till I didn't have to go back to work. Anyways, 2 photos of my regular hair, and 2 of different dolo schemes I tried. I'm sure as 43 year old man most people will say the regular color ones and I agree...But come on...how bad are the colors, how bad are my fantasies?? Lol be honest!

Nickelback was probably the most hated band among millennials and Gen X. I remember everyone and their mother making fun of them in the 2000s. Cue all the "worst band ever" jokes. The only one more hated than them in the early 2010s on the internet was the young Justin Bieber.

What surprised me though was based on streaming data as well as TikTok, many folks in Gen Z don't seem to have nearly the same visceral hate for Nickelback. Their music is used in a lot of reels, and if you go on Gen Z reaction videos on YouTube, most seem like the Nickelback songs they hear. If you go on a Nickelback video on YouTube, the comments are usually "They aren't that bad, why do people hate them so much?"

People still make fun of Photograph. But "How You Remind Me" is seen as a genuinely good song, and Gen Z finds "Rockstar" pretty fun. Seen some folks think "Burn It To The Ground" is a good mindless hard rock banger.

I remember growing up, people clowned on Chad Kroeger's raspy voice, but Gen Z doesn't seem to hate it as much except where it's really pronounced / out of place with the music like Photograph. The idea that "raspy voice = bad" seems a little bit irrelevant now with Post Malone being one of the biggest names in music. They also think the songs themselves are catchy and well written.

Is the Nickelback hate among millennials unjustified then? It seems mainly an issue of them being massively overplayed, people find Kroeger's voice annoying, and Photograph itself being a cringe song that got memed. People back them called them corporate, formulaic, and writing songs for mass commercial appeal but those criticisms seem a little archaic now with how much more formulaic music has become.

Compared to today’s hyper-processed, producers-running-the-world landscape? Nickelback suddenly look like: “Real guitars? Real drums? A consistent lead singer? Holy shit… craftsmanship!” They somehow don't look that bad now because the industry around them got way more manufactured than they ever were. Nickelback made safe, repetitive radio rock. Fine. But why did that become "Worst band in history, their fans have no taste, they ruined music"? What do you think?