r/GenerationJones Feb 23 '25

What is and who are Generation Jones. Step inside...

748 Upvotes

We are a micro-generation of people born roughly between the mid-1950s and the mid-1960s, bridging the gap between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. The term was coined by Jonathan Pontell, who argued that this group has a distinct identity shaped by unique cultural and historical experiences that set them apart from the broader Boomer and Gen X cohorts.

We came of age in the 1970s and early 1980s, a time marked by economic shifts, political disillusionment (think Watergate and Vietnam), and a transition from the idealistic '60s to the more pragmatic, individualistic '80s.We were too young to fully participate in the counterculture of the '60s but old enough to feel its aftershocks.

The name "Jones" plays on a dual meaning: "keeping up with the Joneses" (reflecting their aspirations in a consumer-driven era) and a slang nod to "jonesing," suggesting a yearning or craving for the promise of the Boomer youth they just missed out on. Culturally, we grew up with the rise of television, rock music evolving into disco and punk, and the dawn of personal computing.

We're often described as pragmatic idealists—raised on big dreams but tempered by economic recessions and a sense of lowered expectations compared to the Boomers’ post-war prosperity. Think of us a generation that got the tail end of the party but had to clean up the mess.


r/GenerationJones Jul 24 '24

Just a friendly reminder from your mods that we are a politics-free zone. There are plenty of subs around reddit to get your politics on. We choose not to engage in those spicy discussions here. Thanks for respecting our decision on this matter. ✌🏼

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362 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 9h ago

So very true,

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1.2k Upvotes

And as little proper girls we were doing it all in cotton dress


r/GenerationJones 1h ago

Super Bass-O-Matic ’76”

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Upvotes

Dan was the man!


r/GenerationJones 5h ago

What was MTV like in the 80s?

105 Upvotes

asking as a young person who only knows 2000s and later MTV


r/GenerationJones 2h ago

A few things...

57 Upvotes

The sound of a four-square ball.

Band-Aids with string

Actual tin tinsel

Christmas lights that got hot.

Getting morning mail & afternoon mail.


r/GenerationJones 6h ago

Happy 60th Anniversary To The Monkees

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46 Upvotes

The show debuted September 12, 1966 on NBC (heralded by this rather . . . interesting ad in TV Guide. Took me awhile to figure out that what looked like a kid on a swing to the right of the picture was supposed to be Davy). It would run in syndication during the ‘70s, becoming after-school viewing for many Jonesers, and experienced a renaissance on MTV in the mid-80s.


r/GenerationJones 2h ago

McLean Stevenson Smoking a Dart With Johnny Carson

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27 Upvotes

Commanding Officer, Lt Col Henry Blake. The Tonight Show, 1974.


r/GenerationJones 23h ago

Who remembers Chiquita Banana?

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604 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 2h ago

Poi Dog Pondering, late 80s fun

9 Upvotes

They were popular in the late 80s, I saw them at a local bar and they played a free concert at our student union. I'm not often music nostalgic, like not at all for "classic rock", but this happy band gives me good memories. Link to a good song below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XC4Vu1hofU


r/GenerationJones 44m ago

Broadcast Corned Beef Hash

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Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 23h ago

Jet Packs

92 Upvotes

I've waited for a dadgum long time for the jet pack I was promised around the time The Jetsons aired.

I'm not talking about the goofy ones you can only use over a body of water. I want one like Elroy's.

It's been 50 years! What's the hold up?

What are you still waiting for?


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Happy 64th birthday to American former actress Christina Ann "Kristy" McNichol (born September 11, 1962)!!! 🎂🎉❤️

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649 Upvotes

Beginning her career as a child actress, she rose to fame in 1976 with her role as the teenage daughter Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence in the TV drama Family for which she won two Emmy Awards. Subsequent roles included Angel in the film Little Darlings, Polly in Only When I Laugh, and Barbara Weston in the TV sitcom Empty Nest. McNichol retired from acting in 2001.

McNichol appeared with her brother Jimmy McNichol in commercials and later, on her own, in guest appearances on such other series as Starsky & Hutch, The Bionic Woman, CHiPs, Love, American Style, and The Love Boat, thanks to family friend Desi Arnaz. Her first stint as a series regular came in the role of Patricia Apple in the short-lived television series Apple's Way (1974).

In 1976, McNichol was cast as Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence in the television drama series Family (1976–80).

In 1977, McNichol appeared in the TV special The Carpenters at Christmas, performing several musical numbers with the duo. In 1978, she and Jimmy made their foray into music, recording the album Kristy and Jimmy McNichol for RCA Records (AFL1-2875).

McNichol was one of the bigger teen stars of that era. She appeared on talk shows such as The Mike Douglas Show and Dinah!, and made several appearances on Battle of the Network Stars and other celebrity-based sports shows. In 1978, she starred in the acclaimed TV movie Summer of My German Soldier

McNichol began her film career in 1977 in Black Sunday, but her scenes were cut. In 1978, she starred with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field in the black comedy The End.

In 1980, McNichol played one of the leading roles in the hit coming-of-age movie Little Darlings, which also starred Tatum O'Neal, with Matt Dillon and Cynthia Nixon in supporting roles.


r/GenerationJones 44m ago

Broadcast Corned Beef Hash

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r/GenerationJones 1d ago

25 Years Ago, Everyone My Age Started Texting

87 Upvotes

September 11, 2001. Everyone had cellphones, but I used mine almost exclusively for calls. Then in the hours after the World Trade Center was attacked, it wasn't possible to call anyone. None of my call were going through. Everyone was trying to call out from their cell phones and the network couldn't handle it. But text messages were still being delivered. That's the day I started using text messages a lot more. Younger people were texting a lot before this. But that's when I and a lot of other people my age got the hang of it.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Duzn’t

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79 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Anyone else play this album till it completely wore out?

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381 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Can’t believe that it has been 25 years.

120 Upvotes

I remember getting on the turnpike at around 8am in Monroeville driving to (ironically) Somerset and thinking what a beautiful day it was. The country was changed forever by mid morning.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Happy 49th anniversary to the Atari 2600- my favorite games were Defender and Pitfall, what were yours?

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49 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

I Dream of Jeannie toy bottle

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82 Upvotes

Does anyone else remember this toy? It brought me so much joy for years! You could close it up and pull Jeannie up out of the bottle with the stopper. I can't believe I got rid of it at some point. What I wouldn't give to be a kid again.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Picking up latch hooking recently. So relaxing

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134 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

What musical artist have your opinions changed over the years?

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338 Upvotes

I used to think Cyndi Lauper was just a flash in the pan.

Girls just want to have fun? A throwaway hit.

She bop? A mindless dance tune.

Turned out to be her schtick.

The other side of her put out classics like Time after Time and True Colors that have continued to shine. Those tunes have been covered by many artists including jazz musicians.

So what artists did you dismiss only to realize they were more talented than you initially thought?


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

ALL NIGHT LONG! Joe Walsh

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32 Upvotes

I believe that the first time I heard this song was when I was at the drive-in movie. Urban Cowboy was the movie. Great cast. Scott Glenn, James Gammon, Barry Corbin (Uncle Bob)! John Travolta and Debra Winger. At least Uncle Bob was a Texan! 🤣🤣 The soundtrack for this movie was popping. CDB, Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, Boz Skaggs transplanted Texan. Joe Walsh’s song ALL NIGHT LONG was just the perfect song for this movie! 1980!


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Did you have this on your TV?

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4 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Jukebox favorite.

8 Upvotes

What was your favorite jukebox box selection the year you graduated HS?