Gen X Searches For Proof Of Its Own Existence In Latest Viral Generation Discourse

Sandwiched between Baby Boomers and Millennials, two of the demographically largest generations in American history, many members of Gen X have long expressed that they've been unjustly neglected. Every now and then, Gen Xers take to social media to convey these feelings.

#ProofGenXExistsThis was your childhood ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fzDWkgf5oK

— Ⓑⓔⓣⓗ (@Halloween_75) August 17, 2022

The recent hashtag "#ProofGenXExists" is trending across Twitter amid the viral debate as Gen Xers post about how they are, in fact, real.

#ProofGenXExists If we're not real, then who are all these people who are both on twitter and use correct grammar?

— FTJ (@fairytalejedi) August 17, 2022

The overwhelming popularity of the word “ennui.” #ProofGenXExists pic.twitter.com/QD6icFzbVZ

— Lauren Henry (@saxchik) August 17, 2022

The trend rapidly turned towards nostalgia-posting as people reminisced about products and media from their alleged 1980s and 1990s childhoods.

Who do you think got to wear the first Underoos?#ProofGenXExists pic.twitter.com/xhRL0ZJk7g

— Desdinova 777 (@Lycan_blues) August 17, 2022

Still feeling the burn 🔥#ProofGenXExists pic.twitter.com/TbWTNGrhw2

— ❀ Sɪᴍᴏɴᴇ ❀ (@Simbra75) August 17, 2022

These stickers didn't smell themselves, people! #ProofGenXExists pic.twitter.com/AwImKAU7Np

— ❀ Sɪᴍᴏɴᴇ ❀ (@Simbra75) August 17, 2022

Every night at 10pm, TV stations would need to remind parents that they had children #ProofGenXExists pic.twitter.com/k45pS1zymO

— thorodinson.fire (🧠,🧠) (@someBKLYNguy) August 17, 2022

Others mentioned inter-generational experiences, expressing appreciation for the Silent Generation and the Greatest Generation — but not for Boomers, Zoomers or Millennials.

Our grandparents went through The Great Depression,when we visited them we had to open several butter & cottage cheese containers in order to find either butter or cottage cheese. They saved, were frugal we learned a lot from them, and wish we'd learned more #ProofGenXExists

— VaxxedMaskedBoosted (@readnallthetime) August 17, 2022

#ProofGenXExists When Columbine happened, we passed an assault weapons ban. So all you young twerps who were nursed on an Instagram livestream, get off your ass and fucking do something like we did.

— FTJ (@fairytalejedi) August 17, 2022

Who’s taking care of those boomers? Not the millennials. #ProofGenXExists

— Elizabeth K (@elizabethk1985) August 17, 2022

Many also seemed to parody the hashtag as well, mocking the claims of Gen X through memes and other humorous tweets.

#ProofGenXExists and here's ur proof you're welcome pic.twitter.com/XZLQvbDPWs

— Mark C (@spursmark8) August 17, 2022

The cats I hang with are hustlers and stoners. #ProofGenXExists pic.twitter.com/4RUAmm486l

— Stephan B. (@StephanRBarnard) August 17, 2022

Every few weeks, the generations clash online, with Gen X frequently instigating. In return, Gen X has been called many names, including the Karen generation. Often, the feuds are over technology, as shown in this helpful chart:

Definitely late gen x pic.twitter.com/Ln0vR87DAQ

— Greg Lovelace (@Greg84487717) August 16, 2022