Anthony Eichberger
2 min readApr 9, 2021

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As a Millennial, I view Generations Y & Z as natural allies to one another (also, alongside of many younger members of Generation X, since I fall into the "Xennial" subcategory that straddles the 1977-1984 birthyear range). We all share the common experience of anti-youth ageism.

However, I do want to respectfully point out one thing -- and, I realize it might sound as though I'm “word-policing," but please bear with me. The term "GenZer" (used as an adjective/descriptor) is low-key ageist against my generation (Millennials). The reason for this is that it puts "GenX" and "GenZ" on par with one another, via implicit positive value judgement, vis-a-vis unduly-stigmatized Millennials (there's a reason why you never hear people use the term "GenYers"). It's phonetically-lazy/awkward/inappropriate.

The better descriptors for members of Gen Z would be "Zoomers" or "Centennials."

This isn't to accuse you of being intentionally ageist; in fact, it tends to be a subconscious thing amongst many people that takes for granted the hyperpolarization in our society against Generation Y.

What we need is mutual respect and collaboration between ALL generations. But we can't achieve that if we don't have symmetry within our language. For the record, I also view Baby Boomers as having received an unfair stigma, as well (hence the dismissive "Ok, Boomer!" meme, popularized by Chloe Swarbrick).

If we don't get a grip on these implicit age-based value-judgments, things are only going to get worse. Members of Generation Alpha (GenAA) will be coming-of-age within the next decade-and-a-half. If you think Zoomers are difficult, watch the next generation (that immediately follows theirs) master technology a thousandfold against ALL of us...

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Anthony Eichberger
Anthony Eichberger

Written by Anthony Eichberger

Gay. Millennial. Pagan/Polytheist. Disabled. Rural-Born. Politically-Independent. Fashion-Challenged. Rational Egoist. Survivor. #AgriWarrior (Deal With It!)

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