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Boomers, Gen Y, Gen Xers and now, Cuspers

CNBC, 1/13/09

Abstract:

I've always wondered about the genesis of popular but relatively meaningless demographic terms.

When did I go from being a member of Generation Y to being a "millennial?"  Who turned my mother into a "soccer mom?"

Now I know who's to blame for all this foolishness: Marian Salzman. 

In a piece on CNN.com today, Salzman, who "has been credited with popularizing the term "metrosexuality," invents a new sub-generation: "Cuspers" — basically people too young to be baby-boomers, and too old to be gen-Xers.  The article, titled "Baby boomers out, 'cuspers' in" claims that the authority and credibility of the baby boom generation has been ripped to shreds, and these so-called 'cuspers' are now in charge.

Salzman says that baby boomers are being blamed for the current financial crisis:

"After strutting and tub-thumping and preening their way across the high ground of politics, media, culture and finance for 30 years, baby boomers have gone from top dogs to scapegoats in barely a year.  As baby boomers lose their authority and appeal, generational power is shifting one notch down: to cuspers (born roughly 1954-1965), who arrived in style in 2008 with their first truly major figure, Barack Obama (born 1961)."

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