Generation

There was a news item that in Nepal young people, especially Gen Z, protested after the government shut down major social media platforms. I started to think what is Gen Z and what are the other Generations. Here is what I found. 

• The Silent Generation grew up during and after the Great Depression and World War II. Birth years 1925 to 1945. 

• Baby Boomers were born during the post-war population boom. Birth years 1946 to 1964. 

• Gen X (Generation X) often grew up with rising divorce rates, early computers, and more independence. Birth years 1965 to 1980. 

• Millennials (Gen Y) came of age during the internet explosion. Birth years 1981 to 1996. 

• Gen Z (Generation Z) grew up with smartphones, social media, and global crises like COVID-19. Birth years 1997 to 2012. 

• Gen Alpha is still growing up and their defining traits are still forming, but they're digital natives from birth. Birth years 2013 to 2025.

Just FYI.  Not any Government agency or organization gave out these names.  Marketing agencies use it to track demographics.  Academics and researchers define social trends around it,

US Open Tennis Drama

The U.S. Open tennis tournament always seems to come with its share of drama. Usually, it's something like a clash between two players or a heated moment between a player and the umpire — like when Serena Williams had that famous argument with the umpire in 2018, or when Daniil Medvedev got into it with the crowd a few years ago. Last week American player Taylor Townsend and Czech player Barbora Krejcikova got into an argument on court after their match. 

Two days ago, something different happened — this time, between two spectators. 

Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak had just won his match and was hanging out with fans, signing autographs and on tennis balls. He noticed a young kid in the crowd and, in a sweet gesture, took off his cap and handed it to the child. 

That’s when things took a turn. A man standing nearby suddenly grabbed the cap from the kid’s hands and just walked off with it. 

Turns out, the man is Piotr Szczerek — a millionaire and CEO of a company in Poland. When reporters asked him about it later, he didn’t apologize at all. Instead, he arrogantly said, “Yeah, I took it. I did it in a rush. But hey, first come, first served — that’s life.” 

At the time, Majchrzak didn’t see what had happened because he was still signing autographs. But when he found out later, he got in touch with the boy and his mother and gave them not just another cap, but also his shirt and a bunch of other gifts. 

Social media, as always, didn’t hold back. People were furious. Many called the CEO a jerk and a coward. One person summed it up by posting, “Only a complete idiot and jerk would snatch a hat from a child.”

PS: Latest news. September 1 6.58 pm California time. That Polish CEO apologized to that kid, the fans, and the Polish player.

Sharpest Comebacks

Ronald Reagan vs. Walter Mondale (1984 Debate) 

A question was asked about his age during the debate. 

Reagan replied: “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” 

Margaret Thatcher vs. Labor MP (UK Parliament, 1990) 

In a heated Commons exchange about Thatcher's leadership and her government's truthfulness, Hughes insinuated that Thatcher had misled the House regarding her policies and economic impact. 

Thatcher's Reply: “The honorable gentleman knows that the essence of being a gentleman is that one does not lie. He is no gentleman.” 

François Mitterrand vs. Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (France, 1981) 

“You do not have a monopoly on heart.” Mr. Giscard 

Mitterrand’s Famous Reply: “You do not have a monopoly on heart, Mr. Giscard. You do not have a monopoly on reason either.” 

Here is my all-time favorite: 

Lloyd Bentsen vs Dan Quayle during 1988 Vice Presidential Debate 

Moderator Tom Brokaw asked Dan Quayle about his qualifications to become President. 

Quayle Replied: I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency. 

Lloyd Bentsen immediately retorted: "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy."