Think from KERA Gen X has finally arrived
Jan 23, 2026
Amanda Fortini, writer and journalist known for her T Magazine essay on Gen X, reflects on the latchkey childhood that bred DIY creativity. She discusses MTV’s cultural glue, Gen X’s role in third-wave feminism and nuanced Black filmmaking, and how a last analog upbringing shaped independent tastemaking and attitudes toward aging.
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Creativity Born From Solitude
- Gen X's cultural influence comes from shared childhood conditions like solitude and DIY creativity, not spotlight-seeking.
- Amanda Fortini argues those conditions created ideal circumstances for sustained artistic output.
Why Gen X Is A Smaller Cohort
- Generational boundaries for Gen X vary, but many trace it to 1961–1981 tied to the pill and fertility decline.
- Fortini notes the cohort is smaller and sometimes split into micro-generations like Generation Jones.
Reluctance Toward Spotlight And Power
- Gen Xers often avoid the spotlight and prefer independent, nontraditional paths over corporate or political prominence.
- Fortini links this to a fear of 'selling out' and an anti-authoritarian streak.
