Identity as Connection

Hello friends,

While on one of my daily walks, I stopped a grinned. “Gen X,” I thought.

Why did I think this? Because on a hybrid electric car was a “Gary Numan is Here in My Car” bumper sticker. Most people likely have no idea what in the world that bumper sticker means. Except a subset of older Gen Xers. My generation. Gary Numan’s debut single was a song about isolation, alienation, and…cars. Specifically oil burning, climate altering vehicles.

“Here in my car
I feel safest of all
I can lock all my doors
It's the only way to live"

That bumper sticker was a little joke from someone in my age bracket to someone like myself. The funny thing is, despite having grown up in Los Angeles, I have never owned a car, having fled to a place with good public transportation—San Francisco—as soon as I could. But the bumper sticker reached me anyway, putting the song in my head. It’s not even that great a song, in my opinion. But it was ubiquitous enough in the early 1980s when I was in my early teens to have stayed with me.

Here’s the thing: unlike some people of my generation, I listen to new music. I really enjoy the vibrancy of it, despite not being emotionally imprinted on it. Gen X is one of my identities, but that identity has not become a cage, holding me in place.

I also read books written by younger people. I listen to young organizers and activists. I learn things from people older and younger, both. Or I try. I sometimes see older people refusing to listen to anyone or anything younger than themselves. I find that sort of rigidity sad, and counterproductive.

Identity is important. Identity is a way to share culture and ideas. Identity helps us find our way in the world. But only if we allow our identities to remain flexible. Only if we can recognize the multiplicity of ourselves and each other.

What are you learning today? And what is one thing you identify with?

best wishes — Thorn

I’m launching a new podcast where I talk with interesting people about interesting things. It’s called Magic, Creativity, and Life. Click the link for my conversation with author Meg Elison.

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