Generational trends?

I've begun to notice something and would like to work it out publicly. With Dovo reporting an increase of straight razor sales seven time larger than a decade ago, we're left with the 'why'. I happen to think that the driving force here is generational. In particular, in the last twenty-five years or so, I can highlight several trends that can directly (or more likely indirectly) can be affiliated with the Generation-X folks here between about 27-40 (if your parents were baby boomers, then you're a Gen-X'er).

1982 Video Games: market share of arcades and arcade games are almost entirely funded by those in between ten and twenty years of age.

1994 Cigars: As an increasing number of Gen-X'ers begin to enter their twenties, they take interest in something different than what their parent may or may not have smoked (shame on you guys I'm talking about cigarettes). The cigar boom lasted about what, five years?

2004 Homes: As the Gen-X'ers enter their thirties and begin their own families, they have an influx of spendable income and many buy their first or second homes...prices increase and lending practices change in order to accommodate as many buyers as possible leading to an economic downturn.

2007? Razors: A larger percentage of Gen-X as they near fourty are beginning to contemplate their role in society and turn to razors as a means to reconcile their own age and to connect with their grandparents.

On a slightly related note, I've also noticed trends of excess following larger conflicts:

My great-grandparents
1914-1918 WWI
1920's: excess

My grandparents
1940's: WWII
1950's: excess

My parents
1960's: Vietnam
1970's: excess

The Gen-X'ers really didn't have a 'great conflict'. I was a senior in high school during the first gulf war and too old for the second, but the time during our 20's, I didn't see any excess until the home buying trend just a few years ago...which would be nearly a decade late from the 1990's where it should have been (that being when most Gen-X'ers were in their twenties)

I don't know...maybe I'm just feeling philosophical today. I'd be interested in finding out what everyone thinks of my rambling...

Did you cut yourself this morning?

Ha ha. I'd say there's a lot involved in this topic that isn't immediately obvious. Things like media influence, general restlessness, panic, envy, urgency, the old self-superiority complex, etc.

Ultimately society is made up of people, and like people it goes through fads and moments of enlightenment, and regret and so on. If you think about it all you really need is a toothbrush, some clean clothes, something nutritious to eat, some friends, something to do and possibly a razor - Everything else in our lives is somehow centered around these things and, by and large, about getting something, then getting a better something, then making sure it works, making sure it's up to date, then getting a new one because you're sick of the old one.

An interesting theory. Just a few random thoughts:

• I started because I like things that work. Electric was horrible, disposables slightly better, a DER good. So a straight was the next logical step.

• Without the active, hands on help of my best man and the guys at The Different Scent, it would have been difficult. Today, I would not necessarily need that, because the Wiki has been made so good by our members.

• I also like the aspect of saving my evironment. I'm considered a national liberal, but I am very conscious of, say, the dramatic decline of decent foodstuffs available. The wife and I (both avid, and allegedly rather capable cooks) are forced to buy organic food, because everything else is more or less plastic. Straight razors fit into this picture, because they're environment friendly, hand made, and simply better than industry products.

• Finally, for me there is a luxury aspect. I deliberately take 15 minutes off each day, locked up in a room full of ambient light and my favourite music, and relax. I think most people need to reach a certain age and point in their career to get to this stage, so that acounts for the age factor you mentioned.

So there, slightly different take on the same subject. The more I think about your "connecting to your ancestors" idea, the more I like it. So, thanks again for your post.

Robin, live from a tram stuck in traffic (20 years since the wall came down, tourists eveywhere)