Boomer or Zoomer?

Am I a Boomer?
The Google definition is that this is a group of people born between 1945 and 1955, with the key characteristics: hard work always leads to success, a strong attachment to traditions and fixed structures, and sometimes a headstrong view of modern technology and change…

Well, at 58, I don't believe I'm exactly a Boomer... although I am attached to some traditions, I let others go very easily... I don't necessarily believe in hard work leading to guaranteed success, I have seen to many very talented people and companies drown or succeed due to a set of circumstances or twist of fate... I believe in facilitating equality, which involves hard work of course (I have always done that), but you also need opportunities, a bit of luck, and to know the right (other) people... I do like structure, but I usually attribute that to my analytical side, and my creative side simultaneously says "there are many roads to Rome," so there are diverse ways to give shape to structure as well... I do have my own view of modern technology, but I actually quite like change... how else do you gain innovation and new perspectives?

And - is that a Boomer trait? -, I firmly believe that we humans are herd animals; we cannot do it alone, we need others in almost all facets of our private lives and our work relationships. And in my work, for example, that means having and maintaining good networks and having genuine contact are essential: whether it is brainstorming about existing raw materials and techniques, gathering and transferring knowledge, being able to assess the quality of suppliers or improving processes and teams, dealing with customers, you name it... preferably, of course, that you see each other, because non-verbal communication is sometimes just as important as the verbal form... and that can take place both physically and digitally.
I come from a time when there was a difference between warm and cold relationship management, professionally as well... empathy, connection, and openness was effortless and ensured trust and all kinds of processes simply running more smoothly... for cold relationships that are purely business-like and distant, you simply don't run as fast!

When I hear that “the youth of today” struggles with face-to-face conversations or even just phone calls, that most communication takes place via text messages and preferably via Facebook (Boomer platform?), Snapchat, TikTok, or some other source (is WhatsApp still used?), then naturally I have my thoughts.
Much of today's (digital) traffic is fleeting and superficial, heavily focused on data and algorithms; it often has to be done within a tight timeframe, and "looking good" seems more important than what is actually being “said”... and beside that, an-over-the top amount is being sent with little regard for what the recipient needs or can handle. because…how do you stand out in this day and age?
Where is the rationality, nuance, depth, the “just act normal, which is crazy enough” (Dutch saying)... where is looking out for one another, meeting each other, truly seeing and respecting each other?
I feel that it is all still there, but the, often digital, supply is so large and loud that it almost goes unnoticed.
And I don't envy the youth, mind you, without that foundation from the time when it didn't exist yet (which was a bit quieter); we have unprecedented possibilities nowadays, but that doesn't always bring unprecedented opportunities for everyone!

Bringing me to the official characteristics of a Zoomer, which is a word blend of Gen Z and Boomer, a generation born between approximately 1997 and 2012: Digitally skilled (because they grew up with smartphones, social media, and the internet), fast and flexible (because they switch easily between online platforms and new trends… is that the definition of flexible?), and they differ in culture (because they often have their own online slang, humour – such as memes – and habits that contrast with older generations).

I must be an 'almost-Boomer' again for thinking that this has always existed? How often I heard the complaint 'the Youth of today...' growing up: countless times! My generation, too, was 'not understood' by the older generation and dismissed as lazy, loud, and rebellious.
By the way, if you don't like 'Zoomer' or 'Gen Z' as labels, how about my generation: Generation X, but informally called 'the lost Generation' or 'Generation Nix' (in Dutch language sounding the same as Nothing')... Or the '(potato) chips Generation' that came right after... we (Dutch?) humans like to stick a label on things, and it isn't necessarily flattering.

Just like all previous generations, we have done some things right and really made a mess of others… but there was and is Talent, Innovation, Renewal, Progress, Opportunities, Acceptance, Appreciation, Living Together... it can sometimes take a while, but fortunately and reassuringly, it has all surfaced!

As a Gen Xer, I embrace Gen Z, naturally Gen Alpha, and I look forward to the development of Gen Beta… not only because I think (and hope) that every new generation offers new opportunities for new insights and practices that have (even?) more of the “good” and less of the “bad,” but also because it is simply fun to talk to young people who are enthusiastic and are not (yet) “hindered” by all kinds of experiences from the past. Although, if I may offer young people, as an ‘almost-Boomer’, one piece of advice: please repeat the mistakes of the past as little as possible and retain what is good; we have come this far as a civilization because we all (!) work and live… and especially Together!