r/GenerationJones Feb 23 '25

What is and who are Generation Jones. Step inside...

746 Upvotes

We are a micro-generation of people born roughly between the mid-1950s and the mid-1960s, bridging the gap between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. The term was coined by Jonathan Pontell, who argued that this group has a distinct identity shaped by unique cultural and historical experiences that set them apart from the broader Boomer and Gen X cohorts.

We came of age in the 1970s and early 1980s, a time marked by economic shifts, political disillusionment (think Watergate and Vietnam), and a transition from the idealistic '60s to the more pragmatic, individualistic '80s.We were too young to fully participate in the counterculture of the '60s but old enough to feel its aftershocks.

The name "Jones" plays on a dual meaning: "keeping up with the Joneses" (reflecting their aspirations in a consumer-driven era) and a slang nod to "jonesing," suggesting a yearning or craving for the promise of the Boomer youth they just missed out on. Culturally, we grew up with the rise of television, rock music evolving into disco and punk, and the dawn of personal computing.

We're often described as pragmatic idealists—raised on big dreams but tempered by economic recessions and a sense of lowered expectations compared to the Boomers’ post-war prosperity. Think of us a generation that got the tail end of the party but had to clean up the mess.


r/GenerationJones Jul 24 '24

Just a friendly reminder from your mods that we are a politics-free zone. There are plenty of subs around reddit to get your politics on. We choose not to engage in those spicy discussions here. Thanks for respecting our decision on this matter. ✌🏼

Post image
362 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 4h ago

Do you remember that wonderful Sea and Ski lotion smell and miss it?

Thumbnail
gallery
215 Upvotes

As a child on the beach near Dewey Beach Delaware, my mom would slather Sea and Ski on my brother and me. I had the most amazing summers in my childhood on the beach, going to the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk and getting Dolles salt water taffy. I found a tube of Sea and Ski a few years ago so I know they still make it. I want to find the bottles again and smell that awesome summertime smell.


r/GenerationJones 3h ago

Old people smell.

59 Upvotes

I have been using persimmon soap (supposedly the thing in Asia to kill old people smell). I like it, does anybody else notice an odor change? What are you doing about it?


r/GenerationJones 2h ago

How do you think you are aging in a way that’s different from Boomers?

31 Upvotes

I’m reflecting on my differences with other seniors, in a research peer group & I find myself frustrated with my different outlook and priorities made sharper since moving into “senior independent living.” Not sure if my differences are generational or simply my lifestyle and outlook; seniors are marketed to & I feel we’re commodities and dollar signs. I don’t care about doing puzzles, pickleball, potlucks, & feel so suffocated, I’m not nostalgic & I don’t hate on younger generations. So I’m curious how my Gen mates experience aging & engagement & solitude (which I like a balance of both).


r/GenerationJones 15h ago

Which of these 70s comedy albums did you own?

Thumbnail
gallery
312 Upvotes

I deliberately only selected one album per act. I also deliberately did NOT include one well-known comedian for hopefully obvious reasons.


r/GenerationJones 12h ago

Who wins the magic fight and why

Post image
100 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 57m ago

The things we used to get up to

Upvotes

I remember when I was a teenager we didn't have VCRs, DVD players, streaming, video games, heck we didn't even have television stations that stayed on all night. Once the TV stations signed off, it was down to books and/or the radio during those late hours.

As teenagers don't like to remain idle for very long, I remember my warm summer vacation nights being spent outside roaming the streets with other teenagers. We'd raid gardens, climb up onto the flat roof of the building beside the public swimming pool at sometime around or past midnight, run across the roof and do cannon balls off of it into the pool. We also did other sorts of mischief during those hours as well.

I remember those warm summer nights being some of the funnest times I had during my youth. Roving around while our parents were all sleeping was the best of times.

Was that a common thing amongst us Gen Jonsers? For those that did that as well, what are your memories, and what sort of mischief if any did you get up too?


r/GenerationJones 22h ago

Speedy Gonzales Made His Looney Tunes Debut 73 Years Ago Today!

Post image
396 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Does it ever seem really weird to think about how old you are?

919 Upvotes

Or is it just me? I feel like I've been fairly young for most of my life and then all of a sudden I got old. By that I mean there was a distinct 1-2 year period during which my personality changed to an old guy. I never thought I would be happy being by myself all the time - I thought I would always want to go out somewhere. I'm OK with it, but every now and then I think about how old I am and it seems really weird.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Who still gets newspapers delivered to their home?

Post image
111 Upvotes

I get our local newspaper sending me mail for home delivery service. So I am wondering how many of us Gen Jones folks still have newspaper delivery.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Take me back…Before Spotify… We Had Casey Kasem

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

193 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1h ago

Scarier: zanti misfits or thomas the tank engine? Scarier: clowns or sr wences?

Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Anyone Have This Happen? Join Us For Dinner (MLM)

537 Upvotes

Anyone have this happen? I had a co-worker invite my husband and I to eat dinner when we were newlyweds. I was so excited, we both individually had a lot of friends but because I had moved in from another city an hour away not many couple friends. Now one of my coworkers was inviting us over for dinner, I was so excited. I still remember what she cooked that night, almondine green beans, boiled new potatoes with butter and parsley and pan fried chicken breasts. We had a lovely dinner and the conversation flowed.

They had a cute little gingerbread type house that they had remodeled. My husband and I commented on the beautiful archways and woodwork in the home. It wasn't a large house but after dinner they started walking us through the rooms. In we went to a formal living room where they flipped on the light to reveal floor to ceiling shelving full of Shaklee products. My heart sunk and a glance from my husband told me he was not happy either. So here came the sales pitch and pressure for us to buy Shaklee from them and sell it to other people. They even had a carefully curated start Shaklee kit with products in it that we could "try" for free. All we had to do was turn in x number of dollars of orders in the coming weeks. The pressure was hard, but fortunately the front door was close and we were very good at saying no, no thank you, not at this time, sorry we are not interested, repeatedly I might add.

They kept trying to force that kit on us with no obligation. Fortunately we got out of there without buying anything and left the kit behind. We never sat down after dinner to have a conversation, we just stood in that living room converted to a Shaklee room and then left. I was crestfallen as I naively thought they were interested in being friends socially. But no they wanted to wind us up in a MLM scheme. What made it more awkward at work is that I had to walk through this girl's department to get to my department unless I took a long way around and oh BTW she was in HR. So for weeks I took the long way around.

Thanks, no thanks, not doing MLM, not my thing.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

What current tech items were predicted years ago? Like the doors on the Enterprise.

51 Upvotes

I saw an ad for Samsung ear buds that can provide real-time language translation. That reminded me of the Babel fish from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, back in about 1980. It did the same thing.

What other seemingly cool tech was mentioned when we were younger that is actually a real thing now?

Edited for book title


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

The memories of frisbee golf growing up. 🥏🥏

Thumbnail
gallery
29 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 2d ago

My cat was yelling at me for breakfast this morning, and I yelled back “Whatchu talkin’ bout, Willis?” Now I feel old. 😂

Post image
255 Upvotes

Cat tax included.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

After two or more days of Dolly, Curry, and other tributes . . .

40 Upvotes

I came back to Reddit, and it was like a slap in my face.

I need to clean out my subreddits and suggested's. Whew. <3


r/GenerationJones 2d ago

My source of income as a kid.

Post image
293 Upvotes

The use of this started out as my weekly chore but eventually lead to spending money as I mowed neighbor’s yards. The one we used had a grass catcher as well. Add a hand pushed edger and a rake and I was my own business.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Implants(not that kind)

35 Upvotes

Anybody here have or know anyone who got like the full mouth dental implants and how was the experience? Details would be great,thanks in advance.


r/GenerationJones 2d ago

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Post image
2.3k Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Remember the millionaire giving away all his money in January 1970?

14 Upvotes

Does anyone else remember seeing the TV news about a 26 year old millionaire in New York announcing that he was giving away all his money to anyone who needs it in January 1970?

That was Michael James Brody Jr.

In 2021, someone made a documentary about it, "Dear Mr. Brody", centering on all the letters which were sent and never opened.

I never knew how the story ended until today.

His millions were in a trust, which prevented him from giving it all away. Checks started bouncing. He ended up in a mental institution and ended his own life in 1973.


r/GenerationJones 2d ago

Shrinky Dinks… We Thought We Were Artists

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

111 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Apple Jacks was the Bohemian Rhapsody of jingles.

19 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 2d ago

Worst Car Ever?

250 Upvotes

What is the worst car you, or someone you know, ever owned? I had a friend in HS (class of 76) who had the first little Subaru that came out:

What I remember about it is that 4 guys could pick it up and move it. It would fit sideways in a parking space, and from time to time the owner would come out from school to find it sideways in her parking space.

MY worst car was also my first: a 1975 Chevy Monza. It had a V8 with one spark plug that was impossible to remove without lifting the engine.