Generational Shifts: From Baby Boomers to the Toolbelt Generation
Today, it’s the toolbelt generation, but it seems like yesterday it was the “Me Generation,” the term used to describe the Baby Boomers who were born between 1946 and 1964. That term was used to describe a culture that focuses on self-fulfillment, personal growth, and individualism. Wait a minute! Isn’t that what we criticized Millennials for?
TIME magazine dubbed Millennials as the “Me Me Me Generation” in 2013, citing rising narcissism and a generation raised by social media. I guess history tends to repeat itself.
Somewhere in between is me, Generation X, which was born between 1965 and 1980. Unfortunately, Generation X is known as the “latchkey generation” because they wore house keys around their necks. Well, I didn’t. I kept mine in my pocket because I’m normal, but the nickname is from coming home to empty houses after school, because both parents were working. Yes, that was me.
My dad, whom I always called “old man,” which is a term of endearment in the Cuban culture, earned his living in the “bolitas,” similar to the numbers game. Interestingly enough, this goes back to my great-grandfather, who won the “lotto” a couple of times in Cuba. By lotto, I’m referring to the unlicensed/unsanctioned version, not a state lotto system like we were used to. Supposedly, he was tied to the Italian mob and was wealthy. So my father did the same in Miami, minus the mob.
In this case, he was the “bank.” It more than paid the bills, and we lived a comfortable life, that is, until the Florida lottery came around. He knew that would be the end of business because of greed, meaning people were thinking of winning “millions” while statistically, that was unlikely, and of course, in the numbers game, the odds were more favorable.
So once “business” dried up, both of my parents went to work, so yes, I came home from school to an empty house. I learned to fend for myself. I came home, made a sandwich, changed clothes, and met my friends to play baseball or football in the street. If a stranger knocked on the door, I’d hide in a room, and if a stranger called asking for my parents, remember, caller-ID did not exist, I pretended they were busy showering and took a message. Our generation is known for our independence, adaptability, and skepticism. Yup, that’s me.
Even in a recent video referencing the financial issues Millennials have faced, I mentioned I was skeptical of corporate America. This was the time of corporate downsizing, takeovers, and when loyalty to an employer no longer meant anything. So I knew I wouldn’t work for corporate America and struck out on my own as a lawyer upon passing the bar exam.
I simply didn’t trust “them.” I still don’t. It’s why I never pursued working at a large law firm or working on corporate bankruptcies. I always represented the “little guy.” Now, the past and present do affect the future, so here comes the toolbelt generation.
Meet the Toolbelt Generation
With college now costing more than a McMansion, Gen-Zers are looking to work with their hands, not their fingers, by typing on a keyboard all day. I can’t say I blame them. For one, we have the issue of AI, which has been a focus of mine lately with endless social media posts, blog posts, and YouTube videos. Okay, more like an obsession.
As much as I can guarantee you that tomorrow the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, I guarantee that AI will disrupt the economy like never seen before. Maybe it goes back to my skepticism as a Gen-Xer, but I don’t think it will be a positive change. So Gen-Z adapts, just like the Marines: improvise, adapt, and overcome.
So the Toolbelt Generation might start an economic and career shift toward skilled trades, skipping 4-year colleges, and post-graduate work. It only makes sense. No one wants to carry around student loan that weighs more than a toolbelt, delay buying their first home, and having children. And no, the Big Beautiful Bill is not the answer. It will increase tuition, not lower it. But, I honestly don’t know if wearing a toolbelt is the answer, again, my skepticism.
Let’s suppose AI can’t take over blue-collar work as quickly as it does in the world of keyboards. If AI disrupts that field, who has the money to hire the toolbelt generation? We are witnessing and will soon feel the pinch of mass deportations affecting the workforce. That should drive up the costs of building, not lower them. That will carry over to other industries as well, such as the agricultural and hotel industries.
What has worried me from day one with AI is if AI makes everything or does everything, where do we find the money to buy the things AI makes or does? Oh, universal basic income? The skeptic in me says good luck!
Where does universal basic income come from? Tax dollars. If the wealthy don’t pay their share of taxes, what is the tax base if spending is reduced? The only solution to that is to tax the wealthy AI tech bros, and again, I say good luck!
Can We Adapt in Time?
The other day, I saw a snake that seemed close to three feet in length. It stopped me in my tracks. By the time I went to get my camera in the garage, he was gone, but researching, I realized it was the common rat snake. I started reading how the rat snake is being affected by climate change, and that living in the colder states will, of course, be to its benefit.
The articles stated that to adapt, the rat snake will grow in size, allowing it to attack larger prey. Its name is the clue as to their preferred meal. I realized that nature always improvises, adapts, and overcomes.
Now I wonder if we can. Best of luck to the toolbelt generation.
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