Comment Section for Why Millennials Are Declaring Themselves Obsolete - The New York Times

This New York Times article, titled "Why Millennials Are Declaring Themselves Obsolete," explores the generational anxiety and sense of obsolescence felt by millennials as they navigate middle age. The article notes that the generation born between 1981 and 1996 is now showing signs of aging, prompting discussions about their cultural relevance amidst the rise of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. As the first generation to extensively use social media, millennials are expressing these anxieties online, sometimes exaggerating their feelings of agedness and irrelevance. The author suggests that this may be a defense mechanism to preemptively claim irrelevance before being labeled as such by younger generations. The article also contrasts millennials' approach to aging to that of baby boomers, who embraced middle age with much less neurosis and more optimism. Finally, the article highlights the role of social media platforms like TikTok in amplifying generational differences and the potential for millennials to use their discourse on aging to maintain relevance and control over cultural conversation.