Letters: Jun. 30, 1997

GENERATION X GETS REAL

The generation labeled X was a target market all too aware of being targeted [SOCIETY, June 9]. Dismissing us as do-nothings gave us plenty of leeway to do everything we wanted while no one was watching. Distrust for Big Business? No kidding, when it bends over backward trying to sell us a prepackaged identity. Disillusioned? Sure, about the kind of future we would have if we followed "the rules." Set to rule the world? Definitely, by being the first people in generations to define ourselves on our own terms. ELIZABETH BOUGEROL New York City

On behalf of my generation, I thank TIME for its cover story on Generation X. Finally, our efforts and achievements are being recognized as productive and meaningful. Your article shines the brightest rays of light on our unorthodox but seemingly successful methods. I also thank my peers for yelling loudly enough to make the boomers and matures hear our messages. MATT FONTANA Lynchburg, Va.

Your article "Great Xpectations" teaches us that Generation X is exactly like the preceding generation, which was a carbon copy of the generation before it. In the 1930s, when I was a child, adults were saying the next generation would be different. Well, it was not! The human brain, for good or bad, evolves very slowly. The mindless rhetoric of "Great Xpectations" could be avoided if anyone of any generation read a little history! DOUGLAS KELLER Hollywood

TV and Nintendo haven't molded a whole generation into lazy slackers. Instead, the Xers are a better-informed, less gullible and more independent populace. Along with playing in garage bands, Generation Xers have started garage companies--virtual cottage industries in a time of downsizing conglomerates. And these start-ups are creating exciting and lucrative careers, not more McJobs. Yes, "there's gold in them thar hills," and X marks the spot. MARKUS DIERSBOCK Marblehead, Mass.

Although millions of us were born between 1965 and '77, please remember that millions of us reject the rude, crude and morally vacuous "values" your interviewers chose to use as examples of Generation X. Like our parents and grandparents, we know that only honest, hardworking and morally upright individuals can truly influence this nation in the right direction. Your incessant make-believe reporting has convinced many that these timeless virtues aren't relevant in today's world. Wrong again. CHARLES AKERS Caracas

What do you mean we have given up on idealism and given in to the fact that we cannot change the world? Maybe our way of changing the world is by living our lives for ourselves. Is it fair to say that it's not idealistic to want self-gain, self-progress and self-gratification? Isn't it possible that our point of view may be that preservation of self is the best solution to making the world a better place? You seem to be correct in saying my generation is very materialistic; we care about the cars we drive and the houses we own. But the difference between us and the matures is that we want these things for ourselves, as opposed to wanting them to keep up with our neighbors. I'm in this for myself and not to satisfy anyone else. If everyone would be concerned about himself or herself and quit worrying about what the other person is doing, the world could become a better place. DANIEL L. MCCOLLUM Sewell, N.J.