The author notes that Boomers are routinely blamed for housing costs, Social Security pressures, national debt, inequality, climate change and political outcomes, a narrative he has himself advanced, but highlights a recent Economist article that instead criticizes older adults for continuing to party, drink, use drugs and engage in casual sex. 

He finds the magazine’s portrayal of wild retirement-community toga parties and “ageing disgracefully” overstated and out of step with the more common Boomer experience of health complaints, early bedtimes and diminished energy. 

While conceding that the generation has produced its share of problematic figures and outcomes, the author rejects the idea that today’s Boomers are excessively hedonistic and treats the Economist’s framing with skepticism and humor.

I keep hearing that we Boomers are to blame for just about everything wrong with America — unaffordable housing (because we bought up most of the housing stock and now refuse to leave), the depletion of Social Security (because we’re collecting it now), the national debt (because so much of it is being spent on Social Security, Medicare, and other benefits for us), inequality (because apparently we have so much money), climate change (because we’ve been polluting longer than anyone else alive), and even Trump (because he’s one of us). 

I don’t have standing to contest these claims because, well, I’ve also made them. They’re a theme of my latest book, Coming Up Short (out in paperback in a few weeks). 

All of this seemed confirmed by a recent headline in The Economist: WHY PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 55........

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