Spare a thought for X – the ‘forgotten' generation
Gen X-ers can play 'peacemakers' because of their ability to connect with Millennials and Boomers. ST ILLUSTRATION: MANNY FRANCISCO
What to make of generational labels? While essentially broad-brush, they can be catchy tags that offer glimpses into the challenges and achievements that shape the attitudes and behaviour of people born during different eras.
The silent generation, born between 1928 and 1945 (the actual years vary with different definitions, but the general timeframe is consistent), bore the horrors of World War II with grace and grit. Resilient and disciplined, they were known for their strong sense of duty, which probably explains their reluctance to rock the boat – unlike their successors.
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
21 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Brunei Sultan returns home after hospital admission in Malaysia
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was admitted to Malaysia's National Heart Institute for fatigue last week, during a meeting of South-east Asian leaders in Kuala Lumpur. PHOTO: REUTERS KUALA LUMPUR - Brunei's ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah returned home on June 3, the prime minister's office said, after resting in Malaysia following his admission to a Malaysian hospital with fatigue last week. The sultan, 78, returned to Brunei with his consort Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, after meeting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the office said in a statement on the night of June 3. The Sultan was admitted to the National Heart Institute for fatigue during a meeting of South-east Asian leaders last week in Kuala Lumpur. He was discharged at the weekend and had remained in Malaysia to rest. "He is in good condition and the recovery process has gone smoothly after being discharged from the National Heart Institute recently," Datuk Seri Anwar said, in a post on X. The sultan holds multiple roles in the small South-east Asian nation, serving as Brunei's prime minister, armed forces commander, finance minister, foreign minister and defence minister. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Brunei ruler returns home after hospital admission in Malaysia
FILE PHOTO: The Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah meets with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (not pictured) during a meeting in 10 Downing Street on December 19, 2024 in London, England. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo KUALA LUMPUR - Brunei's ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah returned home on Tuesday, the prime minister's office said, after resting in Malaysia following his admission to a Malaysian hospital with fatigue last week. The sultan, 78, returned to Brunei with his consort Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, after meeting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the office said in a statement on Tuesday night. The Sultan was admitted to the National Heart Institute for fatigue during a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders last week in Kuala Lumpur. He was discharged at the weekend and had remained in Malaysia to rest. "He is in good condition and the recovery process has gone smoothly after being discharged from the National Heart Institute recently," Anwar said in a post on X. The sultan holds multiple roles in the small Southeast Asian nation, serving as Brunei's prime minister, armed forces commander, finance minister, foreign minister and defence minister. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Risky business or lethal weapon? Drop shot in focus after Bublik barrage
PARIS - Hit with lots of backslice and a soft touch, the drop shot can be a well-masked weapon in tennis but Alexander Bublik's staggering 37 attempts in Monday's French Open fourth round win over Jack Draper brought the shot sharply into focus. In today's power game where players -- women and men -- thump the ball from baseline to baseline at a speed of more than 120 kmh, applying the shot can be extremely risky. When it does work it gets the crowd going and can crush an opponent's spirit. But Kazakh Bublik, among the most naturally gifted players of his generation, used it to maximum effect against his British opponent, leaving even women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka impressed. "That was crazy. I was watching that match," Sabalenka said on Tuesday after her own march into the semi-finals with a straight sets victory over China's Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka and Zheng hit a total of 20 drop shots combined, compared to Bublik's 37. "I have to say that the drop shot is quite a risky shot, and you really have to have good hands and good understanding of the court to be able to make it," Sabalenka said. "Not every girl is that fearless like Bublik. I watched that match yesterday, and sometimes it was just, like, wow, it just seems like it was his day." Bublik's drop shot frequency also left his opponent stunned. "He was hitting incredible drop shots all around. I don't play many matches where I feel like it's almost out of my control what's going on, and he made that happen," Draper said. Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek hit just three in her own quarter-final win over Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Tuesday. "He (Bublik) would just go for the drop shot from the serves, from returns. It doesn't make sense, you know?," Sabalenka said. "If you feel that this is the day when things are going to work out for you, you definitely have to go for it because it's a good shot, especially on the clay court," she added. "But it's a risky shot. Not everyone has that good hands as Bublik had yesterday." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.