Post Modernism Or New Millennialism Part One by BJ Neblett
Ok, so millennials are taking the
heat for a lot of things these days, from living with their parents, to not
driving, to the demise of tuna fish. Grant it, this younger generation does seem
to have its own set of rules, interests, preferences, and priorities. When it
comes to things like Ubers, home meal deliveries, on line shopping and most new
things techie, we do owe a debt of gratitude to those born between 1981 and
1997. But then again, can’t the same be said of all generations?
I vividly remember my own younger
years, being judgmentally scrutinized by my seniors for the often-questionable
things my generation brought into the world. I’m a baby boomer, so I’ll let you
fill in the blanks, both positive and negative. But I am also a writer of some notoriety
and teach classes on writing. As such some of the changes I’ve noticed wrought
by these millennials are of a literary nature. Note: not necessarily a bad
thing.
Specifically, I have noticed a shift
in writing style, perspective, theme and technique among literary millennials
as well as the previous generation, often referred to as Gen-Xers. I feel this
movement away from the more traditional Modernism and Post-Modernism disciplines
has become large and strong enough to warrant its own literary classification.
Therefore, I proffer: New Millennialism. Spoiler
alert, or perhaps jibber jabber warning: The following is about to get very
esoteric. Non-nerdy types be forewarned.
Intrigued? Check back here in a few days or so for Part Two!
PS: Feel free to use the term New Millinnealism with, of course the proper citations, namely... me!
BJ
