The Boom Generation (Prophet, born 1943-1960) basked as children in Dr. Spock permissiveness, suburban conformism, Sputnik-era schooling, Beaver Cleaver friendliness, and Father Knows Best family order.  From the Summer of Love to the Days of Rage, they came of age rebelling against the worldly blueprints of their parents.  As their “flower child,” Black Panther, Weathermen, and Jesus Freak fringes proclaimed themselves arbiters of public morals, youth pathologies worsened—and SAT scores began a 17-year slide.  In the early 1980s, many young adults became self-absorbed “yuppies” with mainstream careers but perfectionist lifestyles.  Entering midlife (and national power), they are trumpeting values, touting a “politics of meaning,” and waging scorched-earth Culture Wars.  (AMERICAN: Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Steven Spielberg, Candice Bergen, Spike Lee, Bill Gates; FOREIGN: Tony Blair, Binyamin Netanyahu)

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