Rational Exuberance: The Influence of Generation X on the New American Economy [Hardcover]

Meredith Bagby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

In Rational Exuberance, renowned Gen X'er and economist Meredith Bagby examines the ways in which her generation, against the odds, is steering the economy in a new direction. Overeducated, underpaid, and carrying the burden from three previous generations of overspending, Generation X has inherited a hard reality. A few examples... *

Generation X is the first in American history projected to earn less than its parents' generation. *

For every dollar spent on children in 1997, five dollars were spent on the elderly. *

Today's Social Security system is predicted to go bankrupt by 2030--just when Gen X reaches retirement age. Often ignored, however, are Gen X's creative influences on America's economy which range from bottom-line politics to flourishing entrepreneurism. Shunning the stereotypical "slacker " or "deadbeat " persona are key players in the media, financial world, and youth politics who speak in candid interviews about what makes this generation unique. This is the most comprehensive analysis of the next generation of American go-getters and the unique world they are shaping.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A lot of the arguments passionately advanced by Meredith Bagby in Rational Exuberance: The Influence of Generation X on the New American Economy, will infuriate (or at least baffle) those not born between the years 1965 and 1976. But that's beside the point. Bagby herself is a proud member of this maturing generation, and as an economist--as well as a regular on CNN's Financial News Network--she's developed strong opinions on the fiscal future of a population that reportedly believes more strongly in the current existence of UFOs than the long-term existence of Social Security. With the help of cutting-edge compatriots like pollster Kellyanne Fitzpatrick, presidential-speech writer Jeff Shesol, Wall Street Journal reporter Steve Frank, Cybergrrl marketing maven Aliza Sherman, and a host of other successful twentysomethings, Bagby looks into the political, social, educational, and occupational leanings of her peers with an eye toward the economic impacts that they're likely to have in coming years. Her insights into Gen-X thinking on employment and entrepreneurship, ads and the media that carry them, and consumer staples such as homes, cars, clothes, food, and drink, should prove intriguing whether you're on the inside or the outside of this up-and-coming generation. --Howard Rothman

From Publishers Weekly

Where does Bagby, a law student and regular reporter on Gen-X issues for CNN's Financial News Network, fit in the deluge of printed matter about Americans born between 1964 and 1976? Unlike many of her cohorts who focus on "cultural" aspects of the crowd, Bagby defines the Gen-X era as "The Age of Economics." Despite higher levels of education and employment, she reports, Gen-Xers are making relatively less than their parents did, contending with a shrinking social safety net and accruing more debt?all of which makes monetary matters their main preoccupation (rather than, say, the idealism of the boomers in their heyday). Having thus defined members of Generation X as fiscal creatures, Bagby next tries to defend them with profiles of successful, rationally exuberant members of their ilk: fitness executives, publishers, pollsters and bankers. She cites savings rates, successful start-ups and business school retreads as examples of how most Gen-Xers are not the lazy, aimless underachievers older generations make them out to be. But Bagby's central thesis that Generation X is defined by economics remains murky when viewed through a more historical lens. Haven't all generations been more or less defined by the economics of their time? Bagby (The Annual Report of the United States of America) is strongest when she sticks to real-life stories of Gen-Xers, and often makes a compelling advocate for their interests.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 274 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; 1ST edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525944087
• ISBN-13: 978-0525944089
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,314,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our economy is not doomed, March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rational Exuberance: The Influence of Generation X on the New American Economy (Hardcover)

In a clear, concise, and down to earth writing style, Meredith Bagby attacks the generation-x slacker label. With countless examples, Ms. Bagby details the influence that gen-x'ers have had on the economy to-date. More importantly, Rational Exuberance provides inspiration for ever member of gen-x to make a positive impact on society.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The New Wave, March 19, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Dr.Franck Renand, "Global Vision"-France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rational Exuberance: The Influence of Generation X on the New American Economy (Hardcover)

This book describes Generation X people who will be most of your customers, competitors and leaders,especially in the High Tech. They witnessed the downzisings of the 1980s..and today they can decide the future. This book shows their enthusiasm in a wide spectrum of activities.. In one word, how they are rationally exuberant.

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Intriguing, January 25, 2006

By 

Louise McCauley (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rational Exuberance: The Influence of Generation X on the New American Economy (Hardcover)

Written for a general audience, Rational Exuberance provides a clear, thoughtful examination of the next generation of employees and customers and what can be done to manage and retain them as both employees and customers. Since most of your future customers, employees and competitors will come from Generation X, it is necessary to separate fact from fiction and get a more accurate view of it. Meredith Bagby believes that the dire predictions about the future of the American economy at the hands of Generation X have been overstated. The view that GenX'ers are all a bunch of slackers is untrue. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, people aged 25-35 work 3.6 percent longer each week than the national average. However, they do have a new work ethic. Unlike the Baby Boomers, GenX'ers don't measure their lives by their career status. Since many GenX'ers come from broken homes and families with two working parents, they are seeking a balance in their lives between their work and home lives.