The dawning of Aquarius, an anthem for a quasi spiritual movement going on forty years old now. The New Age movement, a blend of optimism, eastern spirituality and loads of potent dope was the natural byproduct of the baby boomer generation. And it was popular because, well, because it really felt good.
The point seemed to be that if the young people banded together, believed anything was possible and prosperity depended only on positive thinking, they could have it all. After all, even their gods knew they were special. In theory you could meditate your way to becoming a millionaire, back when a million wasn't chump change.
Those young folks are now filing for Social Security, and Medicare is around the corner. I'm wondering how many are still new agers. I'm guessing that those folks who were making loads of money but then got downsized because younger people had skills that were more current and they'd work for far less, have likely given up their utopian notions.
There are still a few new agers around. I run into them now and then, sprouting things like "All you need is love." I never fail to add, "Plus three squares and a roof that doesn't leak." But, for the most part, these hold outs are still enjoying the trust fund set up by their industrious parents who made a bundle during the post WW2 boom.
To be fair, they probably aren't the only generation to feel so blessed. I'm guessing that there are many young people today who feel that their i phones, apps and Twitter will save them and make them immune to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
I ran into an old hippy I know and asked him if he plans to enjoy the revival of the play Hair. His response was, "Say, what?"
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