Generation Y (1979-1994) - Who is our biggest pop icon?

[Sticksboi05]

This question is for the Gen Y users here. So if you were born between the late 70's and early 90's, you belong to Gen Y. Our youth/teen years came in the 90's/2000's so in that two decade time period what one person has been the biggest cultural icon?

Michael Jordan maybe? Will Smith?

[Bostic Hog]

A great representation of your generation: Brittney Spears

A total trainwreck, selfish, **** authority, etc. :evilg:

[Sticksboi05]

A great representation of your generation: Brittney Spears

A total trainwreck, selfish, **** authority, etc. :evilg:

Isn't that more Gen X?

:whoknows:

[ACW]

MJ or Will are good choices.

[skinfan2k]

Michael Jackson..

[ACW]

Michael Jackson..Not sure he's really OUR generation though.

[No_Pressure]

Yeah I don't know generation Y has a lot of cutoffs. I don't know if Michael Jackson could really count. He was really the product of the previous generation. So were bands like Nirvana and Metallica. I mean are we talking about who was the most popular during our generation's creation or are we talking about the biggest icon we produced as a generation?

If it's the 2nd one we can't really even have an icon who came out before 1997-1998 or later can we?

[blue collar]

If you're going by the icons created between 79-94, it's probably Madonna.

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

Michael Jackson, Madonna, Schwarzenegger, Princess Diana

[Sticksboi05]

Ok, to clarify some. Not someone we have produced. Someone who has had a major impact during our youth years so the 90's/00's.

So MJ does not count, he's more Baby Boomer/Gen X (Jackson 5/Thriller etc.) and that goes for Madonna too. She's not our generation.

We don't wanna be like Gen X who tries to claim so many people who really belong to the Baby Boomers.

:cool:

[FanboyOf91]

Tupac and Biggie.

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

Ok, to clarify some. Not someone we have produced. Someone who has had a major impact during our youth years so the 90's/00's.

So MJ does not count, he's more Baby Boomer/Gen X (Jackson 5/Thriller etc.) and that goes for Madonna too. She's not our generation.

We don't wanna be like Gen X who tries to claim so many people who really belong to the Baby Boomers.

:cool:

I see, the title is sort of misleading. It's not who was reigning during that time frame but who was born in that time frame and reigned as a pop icon later in their life.

*Takes deep breath*

In my best Norm MacDonald impression: "Frank Stallone"

[renaissance]

It's Britney, *****!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IONTOP]

Andre the Giant He was HUGE

Wrestling against Hulk Hogan.... Princess Bride... He was an icon

[spjunkies]

I'm going with a wild card and picking Justin Timberlake.

[Sticksboi05]

I see, the title is sort of misleading. It's not who was reigning during that time frame but who was born in that time frame and reigned as a pop icon later in their life.

*Takes deep breath*

In my best Norm MacDonald impression: "Frank Stallone"

Well it depends. Take the two MJ's. Michael Jackson was obviously in his heyday in the early 80's when we were all babies or not even born. Michael Jordan was everywhere in the late 80's and throughout the 90's so he counts whereas Jackson got his legacy severely tarnished during that time period. Will Smith dominated the 90's as well with Fresh Prince and a slew of huge films.

Or for example, John Travolta does not count because although Pulp Fiction was a big flick, it's obvious he's an icon for the 70's with Saturday Night Fever.

[ixcuincle]

The man with the white glove, "Mr. Jefferson"

That's ignorant

[Vicious]

A great representation of your generation: Brittney Spears

A total trainwreck, selfish, **** authority, etc. :evilg:


Baby Boomers, no contest.

[mjah]

I would just like to point out that while there are plenty of wannabe/me-too folks out there who would love nothing more than to be part of Gen X, it ended a lot earlier than 1978.

If you were born after 1975, you may or may not be Gen Y depending on your year -- but you sure as hell aren't Gen X.

Gen XY representing.

[Sticksboi05]

I would just like to point out that while there are plenty of wannabe/me-too folks out there who would love nothing more than to be part of Gen X, it ended a lot earlier than 1978.

If you were born after 1975, you may or may not be Gen Y depending on your year -- but you sure as hell aren't Gen X.

Gen XY representing.

Most sources agree sometime in the late 70's was the switch to Y which goes until 1994 then going into Gen Z but of course if you're born on the border you may have traits from both generations but alot of things that occured in the 70's that Gen X likes to attribute to itself actually should be attributed to the Boomers who went on until 1964.

[mjah]

Most sources agree sometime in the late 70's was the switch to Y...
That's all well and good, and I'm glad they have their delusions in lockstep. But I was born in '76 and nobody my age can lay any claim to Gen X. Our age makes it impossible.

Here are some of the top Gen-X movies from the website thegenxfiles.com, with their release dates, the rough age of the main characters, and my age when the movies came out:

- The Breakfast Club (1985) Characters' ages: 14-18. My age: 8

- Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Characters' ages: 14-18. My age: 5

- Say Anything (1989) Characters' ages: 18. My age: 12

- Reality Bites (1994) Characters' ages: 22. My age: 17

- Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) Characters' ages: 17-18. My age: 9

The idea that I could relate to any of these movies at the time they were released is ludicrous. I wasn't even in the proper stage of life for any of them.

Yet... What was Gen X without its movies?

A basic look at the Gen X culture timeline completely disqualifies anyone my age or younger from membership. "Most sources" are wrong!

[Spaceman Spiff]

No votes for Cobain?

[ArmchairRedskin]

Cobain was Gen X for sure.

[Sticksboi05]

No votes for Cobain?

Cobain is a Gen X figure.

[Sticksboi05]

What about Homer or Bart Simpson?

[Mickalino]

Toss-up between Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert

[Spaceman Spiff]

Cobain was Gen X for sure.


Cobain is a Gen X figure.


So if you were born between 1979-1994 this is for you.

I was born in 81. I'm not sure where the cutoff is for Cobain, but whatever.

[The Brave Little Toaster Oven]

Traci Lords

[Sticksboi05]

I was born in 81. I'm not sure where the cutoff is for Cobain, but whatever.

Well, I'm sure the earliest Yers can relate but as a whole he's more of a Gen X figure.

[ArmchairRedskin]

Britney Spears is probably your biggest icon. Her and Nu Metal :silly:

[Skinz101]

1991-1992 Redskins.

[CAPT_CHAOS47]

I say Mark the Homer...Or rodney King

[Tulane Skins Fan]

This thread is really confusing.

[Prosperity]

Jerry Seinfeld
Brad Pitt

[dockeryfan]

This thread is really confusing.

I think it's because the OP is mixing up someone born in Generation Y and the major influences of Generation Y.

You have to go by the major influences, and it really doesn't matter when they were born. History looks back at that later.

When I think Generation Y I think:

Harry Potter
Cellphones and texting
mp3 players
Myspace/Facebook/eHarmony/Social networking sites
Britney Spears
Eminem
Shakira
Christina Aguilera
Twitter
Old Navy clothing stores
Target department stores
Kelly Clarkson
American Idol
Radiohead
Fallout Boy/ My Chemical Romance/Emo music
Vampire stuff

[Sticksboi05]

I think it's because the OP is mixing up someone born in Generation Y and the major influences of Generation Y.

You have to go by the major influences, and it really doesn't matter when they were born. History looks back at that later.

When I think Generation Y I think:

Harry Potter
Cellphones and texting
mp3 players
Myspace/Facebook/eHarmony/Social networking sites
Britney Spears
Eminem
Shakira
Christina Aguilera
Twitter
Old Navy clothing stores
Target department stores
Kelly Clarkson
American Idol
Radiohead
Fallout Boy/ My Chemical Romance/Emo music
Vampire stuff

Generation Y actually doesn't really like Twitter. Social networking, yes, Twitter no. And eHarmony? That's like people in their 30's who most use that.

Gen Y Not Into Twitter (http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/social_network/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217701840)

I never said someone born in this time period, I said someone who we look back on twenty years from now and can almost unanimously say we were strongly influenced by them.

Which is why I said Michael Jordan and Will Smith. Sadly, Spears has to be on the list also but I don't think she's bigger than either of the other two. As for defining music, that's tough, could be gangsta rap.

[33]

Andre the Giant He was HUGE

Wrestling against Hulk Hogan.... Princess Bride... He was an icon

I'm thinking someone born in the late-eighties to early-nineties doesn't even know who he is. :(

[PokerPacker]

I'm thinking someone born in the late-eighties to early-nineties doesn't even know who he is. :(

1989 checking in. I definitely know who Andre the Giant is.

[CAPT_CHAOS47]

David hasselhoff

[Sticksboi05]

I'm thinking someone born in the late-eighties to early-nineties doesn't even know who he is. :(

That's ludicrous. I know very well who he was and it's too bad for his early death.

Either way he's not bigger than Jordan was.

[Kosher Ham]

The Rock might be a bigger wrestling star at that point.

[spjunkies]

The Rock might be a bigger wrestling star at that point.

http://fusedfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/stone-cold-steve-austin.jpg

[Kosher Ham]

Nah...The Rock was a bigger star than Stone Cold. It really isn't even that close.

[Prosperity]

wrestling is a gen x thing not a gen y thing

[spjunkies]

Nah...The Rock was a bigger star than Stone Cold. It really isn't even that close.

No no no noooooo..... Outside of wrestling no contest, but when it comes to former WWF fans no freakin way.

[spjunkies]

wrestling is a gen x thing not a gen y thing

False: the "attitude era" hit in like 97 when the "Y" gen was in their teen years and were huge wrestling fans.

[Drop]

Gen Y = Slap Bracelets, MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, TGIF on ABC (Step By Step, Full House, Perfect Strangers, Dinosaurs etc), My Achey Breaky Heart, The Simpsons, and the coming of Gangsta Rap.

Biggest Pop Icon is definitley either Will Smith or Michael Jordan.

[Skins-Canes-Mounties]

Michael Jackson..

Yeah. Hands down. Jordan is up there too, but not on Jacko's level. Maybe Madonna and Spears.

[Skins-Canes-Mounties]

False: the "attitude era" hit in like 97 when the "Y" gen was in their teen years and were huge wrestling fans.

I tend to believe it was bigger in the 80s. When I was really young, Hogan, Andre the Giant, Ultimate Warrior, Iran Sheik, Jake the Snake, the guy the the 2x4 etc., were huge.

It was pretty huge in the Stone Cold - Rock heyday too tho.

[Skins-Canes-Mounties]

Well, I'm sure the earliest Yers can relate but as a whole he's more of a Gen X figure.

I think that pop icons are bigger in your younger years. I still remember people crying in 8th grade when he killed himself and being in 6th grade when Nevermind was HUGE. He is both x and y.

[Sticksboi05]

I think that pop icons are bigger in your younger years. I still remember people crying in 8th grade when he killed himself and being in 6th grade when Nevermind was HUGE. He is both x and y.

Nevertheless, he's not anywhere near he level Michael Jordan and Will Smith were at, big as Nirvana was.

And Michael Jackson is not Gen Y. He is definitely a figure of the Boomers and X, not that he doesn't have millions of fan from Gen Y but his heyday was in the early 80's w/ Thriller and right aftet Off the Wall was released in 1979.

[dockeryfan]

Michael Jordan is ridiculous.

Generation Y is not defined by Michael Jordan, nor are they most influenced by him.

I guarantee you there are more Generation Y people that relate to the whole Harry Potter thing than Michael Jordan. Probably by a factor of 50 or so. First off, chicks do not predominantly define themselves by the NBA. I can't name any of the chicks I have known that live and die by the NBA. That's 50% of the population right there.

Harry Potter.

[Drop]

Michael Jordan is ridiculous.

Generation Y is not defined by Michael Jordan, nor are they most influenced by him.

I guarantee you there are more Generation Y people that relate to the whole Harry Potter thing than Michael Jordan. Probably by a factor of 50 or so. First off, chicks do not predominantly define themselves by the NBA. I can't name any of the chicks I have known that live and die by the NBA. That's 50% of the population right there.

Harry Potter.

LMAO, Harry Potter?

I don't know when the books came out, but the first movie didn't even come out until '01. I was borin in 82, and as a Gen Y'er i can tell you that i don't give two craps about Harry Potter, nor have i spent any amount of time liking, or thinking about his particular products.

I did however spend a large chunk of my youth watching "The NBA on NBC" on the weekends, and Michael Jordan was huge.

How in the world you think Harry Potter reflects Gen Y is WAAAAAY beyond me.

Gen Y's cutoff is 1994....so anyone born in '94 would have been 7 years old when Harry Potter first hit it big with his first movie. I mean, you're talking about basically anyone born from 1991 - 1994 who gives a slight crap about Harry Potter. That's an INSANELY small percentage of Generation Y'ers.

I have a sister in law who was borin in '89, and i can tell you that she, nor any of the people her age who she associates with give a damn about Harry Potter. But they can all tell you how great Michael Jordan was.

[SloppyOneXXVI]

I tend to believe it was bigger in the 80s. When I was really young, Hogan, Andre the Giant, Ultimate Warrior, Iran Sheik, Jake the Snake, the guy the the 2x4 etc., were huge.

It was pretty huge in the Stone Cold - Rock heyday too tho.

http://mulligan.transworld.net/files/2008/11/duggan_hacksaw1.jpg

HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN!!! HHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

[Skins-Canes-Mounties]

http://mulligan.transworld.net/files/2008/11/duggan_hacksaw1.jpg

HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN!!! HHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

hahahahaha yeah - that guy! Awesome.

[Skins-Canes-Mounties]

Nevertheless, he's not anywhere near he level Michael Jordan and Will Smith were at, big as Nirvana was.

And Michael Jackson is not Gen Y. He is definitely a figure of the Boomers and X, not that he doesn't have millions of fan from Gen Y but his heyday was in the early 80's w/ Thriller and right aftet Off the Wall was released in 1979.

Jacko's biggest album might have been Thriller, but he was still on top in the late 80s and the early 90s. Bad came out in 1987. He dominated MTV with Dangerous, which came out in late 1991 and was his 2nd best selling album. The videos were cutting edge for the time and starred the likes of Eddie Murphy, Magic Johnson, McCauley Caulken etc., who were all big stars in their own right at the time.

After the commercial success, he continued (and continues) to dominate headlines with his personal issues.

I still gotta vote Jacko for Gen X and Y.

[dockeryfan]

LMAO, Harry Potter?

I don't know when the books came out, but the first movie didn't even come out until '01. I was borin in 82, and as a Gen Y'er i can tell you that i don't give two craps about Harry Potter, nor have i spent any amount of time liking, or thinking about his particular products.

I did however spend a large chunk of my youth watching "The NBA on NBC" on the weekends, and Michael Jordan was huge.

How in the world you think Harry Potter reflects Gen Y is WAAAAAY beyond me.

Gen Y's cutoff is 1994....so anyone born in '94 would have been 7 years old when Harry Potter first hit it big with his first movie. I mean, you're talking about basically anyone born from 1991 - 1994 who gives a slight crap about Harry Potter. That's an INSANELY small percentage of Generation Y'ers.

I have a sister in law who was borin in '89, and i can tell you that she, nor any of the people her age who she associates with give a damn about Harry Potter. But they can all tell you how great Michael Jordan was.

Lolol.

When was the college freshman born. 18 years ago? That's 1991-1992.

There are people on college campuses playing make believe Harry Potter reenactment stuff.

People don't want to believe that Harry Potter is popular among the age group, but it definitely is/was. I'm not saying everyone wants to dress up and play Quidditch, but when there's an actual college league, there there are untold millions who can at least relate to the influence of Harry Potter.

[Prosperity]

False: the "attitude era" hit in like 97 when the "Y" gen was in their teen years and were huge wrestling fans.

I guess, I remember wrestling was very popular for my peers up until 4th grade, and then most people didn't care about it anymore. I don't think that can qualify as gen y because I think that people born in 87 (me) are kind of on the tail end of gen y anyway... and 85 or before is gen x

[dockeryfan]

Here you go. New York Times just this summer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/fashion/23nostalgia.html


The generation that ignited Pottermania as preadolescent readers is approaching college graduation or entering the workplace, and they have kept alive this flame of their early adolescence.

Indie rock bands have sprung up inspired by their obsession, with names like Harry and the Potters, the Half Bloods, and Voldie and the Wiz Kidz, playing songs inspired by Potter lore.


“I associate ‘Harry Potter’ with my childhood,” said Becca Cadoff, 21, a senior at Northwestern. “I couldn’t wait for the books to come out. We went to midnight parties at our bookstore in New Jersey.”

Now, she said, her roommates have all the Potter films on DVD. “It’s a release from all the school work,” she said.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/07/23/fashion/23nostalgia-600.jpg

[Drop]

Here you go. New York Times just this summer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/fashion/23nostalgia.html




All that shows is that the tail-end of a generation helped blow Harry Potter up.

But that SMALL portion, carries over into Gen Z, and the rest of us who weren't born in the early 90's don't give a **** about it.

I'm telling you, Harry Potter is no indicator of the masses of Gen Y....it's just limited to the very end of our generation and doesn't represent the core of the generation at all.

[Drop]

I guess, I remember wrestling was very popular for my peers up until 4th grade, and then most people didn't care about it anymore. I don't think that can qualify as gen y because I think that people born in 87 (me) are kind of on the tail end of gen y anyway... and 85 or before is gen x


incorrect. 1979 - 1994 is generation Y.

"anyone" born before 85 is not Generation X.

[dockeryfan]

All that shows is that the tail-end of a generation helped blow Harry Potter up.

But that SMALL portion, carries over into Gen Z, and the rest of us who weren't born in the early 90's don't give a **** about it.

I'm telling you, Harry Potter is no indicator of the masses of Gen Y....it's just limited to the very end of our generation and doesn't represent the core of the generation at all.

Dude, those quotes are from college seniors. That would be born in 1987.

Seriously, how is that not dead smack in the middle of the 1979-1994 age bracket the OP gave?

[renaissance]

Harry Potter is a defining cultural icon of the 2000's, not of Generation Y. There is a difference.

At the rate that technology and culture has grown in the last 20 years, I think it's increasingly difficult to define a 15-20 year generation in terms of common culture. I think it's more valuable to look at culture in terms of actual years/decades as opposed to generations of people.

My brother is 4 years older than me and my nephew is 4 years younger than me. The shows and icons my brother was raised on are much different from the shows and icons my nephew was raised on.

[Drop]

Harry Potter is a defining cultural icon of the 2000's, not of Generation Y. There is a difference.


Thank you.



and dockery, those quotes may be from college seniors, but as a MEMBER of the generation in question, i can tell you that more people than not, don't give a crap about Harry Potter. I interact with my own generation much more than other gens, and i have never come across anyone, other than maybe my niece or nephews who were born in the early 90's, that even remotely cared about Harry Potter at one point or another. Even my neice and nephs grew out of it VERY quickly. And i don't think they even read the books....rather just caught on to the movie craze.

Those nutjobs obsessing over it and dressing like it, again, are just a small portion of Gen Y. If people born from '87-'94 followed Potter, then you have a SMALL portion of this generation who cares about that stuff. I mean, you have to take into account the college kids nowadays who DON'T carea bout Harry Potter and didn't grow up on it. So with all the people from '87 to '94 who don't give a damn about Harry Potter, combined with those born between '79 and '86 who DEFINITLEY don't care......i think you can see how you only have a tiny portion of Gen Y's that could lay claim to Harry Potter. You make it sound like half a generation cares, but i can assure you that there are plenty of people born between '87 and '94 who didn't/don't give two dookers about Harry Potter. And again, i was born in '82, and couldn't associate with Harry Potter for the life of me. I can associate more with Zubaz (pants), Starter Jackets, and Five Star binders for school.

Honestly, Harry Potter kinda falls in between two generations, being able to lay claim to neither of them really, but a mix of the end of Y, with the beginning of Z. In other words, i don't really think you can call Harry Potter a definitive staple of any generation. Certainly not generation Y.

[dockeryfan]

Thank you.



and dockery, those quotes may be from college seniors, but as a MEMBER of the generation in question, i can tell you that more people than not, don't give a crap about Harry Potter.

Guys, it's not who gives a crap about them NOW. It's not relevant now. It was relevant THEN. And millions of people were at midnight book store openings, watched the movies, etc.

It was ever present to this age group. Whether you liked it or not it was ever present.

At the time I friggin hated Prince and his music. But it was popular at the time. Not now, but then.

That's why people bring up Harry Potter for Generation Y. Because it was a big deal at the time. The fact that it is still a big deal for a small group of people only illustrates how big it must have been to make this nostalgia movement. These people associate Harry Potter with their childhood.

[Prosperity]

incorrect. 1979 - 1994 is generation Y.

"anyone" born before 85 is not Generation X.

well I just disagree with that categorization

someone born in 79 didn't have internet access until they were what, like 15 years old? that's just way too late to be considered gen y.

harry potter describes my childhood more than wrestling, and that includes my peers as well... I mean wrestling, seriously, who watched wrestling past elementary school?

[Tulane Skins Fan]

Snoop Dogg.

[Galvatron]

Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock.

[Sticksboi05]

well I just disagree with that categorization

someone born in 79 didn't have internet access until they were what, like 15 years old? that's just way too late to be considered gen y.

harry potter describes my childhood more than wrestling, and that includes my peers as well... I mean wrestling, seriously, who watched wrestling past elementary school?


Yeah but Gen X can remember the early 80's. If you graduatd in 1997 you are certainly not Gen X.

And Harry Potter, I agree doesn't fall within a single Generation. Adults read the books also. It was big for my age group but I stopped after book 3. It just depends. But we also used to read Goosebumps and whatnot which I'm sure Drop's age group did as well.

[Spec138]

Backstreet and NSYNC :hysterical:

[Drop]

Guys, it's not who gives a crap about them NOW. It's not relevant now. It was relevant THEN. And millions of people were at midnight book store openings, watched the movies, etc.

It was ever present to this age group. Whether you liked it or not it was ever present.

At the time I friggin hated Prince and his music. But it was popular at the time. Not now, but then.

That's why people bring up Harry Potter for Generation Y. Because it was a big deal at the time. The fact that it is still a big deal for a small group of people only illustrates how big it must have been to make this nostalgia movement. These people associate Harry Potter with their childhood.

i see your point, i just think you're overstating how many people from Generation Y even cared about Harry Potter. I honestly believe it's been the younger kids who pushed Potter's success. Hard to believe that when the books didn't come out till '97, and the movies not until '01, that the people born between '87 and '94 are the VAST majority of the ones responsible for that success. I think you're cutting short the pre-teens, and young kids that run into Generation Z.

[Drop]

Yeah but Gen X can remember the early 80's. If you graduatd in 1997 you are certainly not Gen X.

And Harry Potter, I agree doesn't fall within a single Generation. Adults read the books also. It was big for my age group but I stopped after book 3. It just depends. But we also used to read Goosebumps and whatnot which I'm sure Drop's age group did as well.

lol, yup, Goosebumps were huge back in the day. Pretty much the only books kids my age wanted to read in elementary and middle school.

[ACW]

Backstreet and NSYNC :hysterical::puke: :shot:

[Sticksboi05]

well I just disagree with that categorization

someone born in 79 didn't have internet access until they were what, like 15 years old? that's just way too late to be considered gen y.

harry potter describes my childhood more than wrestling, and that includes my peers as well... I mean wrestling, seriously, who watched wrestling past elementary school?

Well, that's the thing, as we've progressed to 2009, more and more, Generation Z is being called the Internet Generation as opposed to Y. Even those born in the late 80's to around 1992 may be able to recall a time when they didn't have internet and can at least recall when it wasn't a given to have it or cable like it is today. We didn't get internet until 1997 when we got AOL and I remember when we didn't have anything but a DOS computer. Whereas Gen Z, first memories began around 2000 which was the beginning of the internet becoming a given but actually even in 2000, I think over 50% of America had no home internet access.

[DCSaints_fan]

I was born in 81. I'm not sure where the cutoff is for Cobain, but whatever.

Yeah for me it would definitely be Cobain. The thing with the pop musicians is they tend to influence the generation younger than them. My parents, for instance, were the same age as all those musicians in the late 60s. Yet the music they most identfy with was Elvis, Buddy Holly, the Beatles, etc., not Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix or Janis Joplin. I was born in '79, was 13 when Nevermind came out and was 15 when Cobain died. Cobain might have been a Gen X'er, but IMO it was the younger generation that he influenced.

I never really liked b-ball all that much so I can't say much for Jordan, though I definitely understand why some people would say so. I remember Air Jordans, "Want to be like Mike, etc."

[Sticksboi05]

Yeah for me it would definitely be Cobain. The thing with the pop musicians is they tend to influence the generation younger than them. My parents, for instance, were the same age as all those musicians in the late 60s. Yet the music they most identfy with was Elvis, Buddy Holly, the Beatles, etc., not Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix or Janis Joplin. I was born in '79, was 13 when Nevermind came out and was 15 when Cobain died. Cobain might have been a Gen X'er, but IMO it was the younger generation that he influenced.

I never really liked b-ball all that much so I can't say much for Jordan, though I definitely understand why some people would say so. I remember Air Jordans, "Want to be like Mike, etc."

Well, considering he was the most famous man other than heads of state on the planet for a decade...and probably the most idolized person in the 90s...couldn't escape Jordan back then. I mean when I walked into my first grade class and saw more Bulls apparel than DC sports apparel, that says alot. I had a Bulls sweatshirt.

[MattGeorge85]

This is an interesting discussion, much of it I don't agree with.

If you want something that is the biggest pop icon, lets at least discuss something that won't be laughed at 20 years from now. 90's pop- I'm looking at you.

I liked the idea of the Simpsons due to it's impact, longevity, and that fact that it's still relatively current. Not too many things mentioned prior have all three- and fall in the correct time table.

The Nintendo Entertainment System another mention. Super Mario Bros. and the Nintendo Entertainment System essentially brought back an entertainment genre that was DOA after the Great Video Game Crash of 1983. At that point games were written of as a stupid fad that would no longer hold any social signficance. Nintendo single handedly helped bring back an entertainment empire that is now worth billions. Nintendo paved the way for Sony Microsoft and all of your favorite game franchises that have crossed over into music, television, and movies (okay the movies haven't been all that great)

[Galvatron]

I was born in 78. What does that make me?

[Sticksboi05]

I was born in 78. What does that make me?

You're on the border but you probably more associate with Gen Y but I don't know your life so....

[Sticksboi05]

This is an interesting discussion, much of it I don't agree with.

If you want something that is the biggest pop icon, lets at least discuss something that won't be laughed at 20 years from now. 90's pop- I'm looking at you.

I liked the idea of the Simpsons due to it's impact, longevity, and that fact that it's still relatively current. Not too many things mentioned prior have all three- and fall in the correct time table.

The Nintendo Entertainment System another mention. Super Mario Bros. and the Nintendo Entertainment System essentially brought back an entertainment genre that was DOA after the Great Video Game Crash of 1983. At that point games were written of as a stupid fad that would no longer hold any social signficance. Nintendo single handedly helped bring back an entertainment empire that is now worth billions. Nintendo paved the way for Sony Microsoft and all of your favorite game franchises that have crossed over into music, television, and movies (okay the movies haven't been all that great)

Yes, but we are talking about people.

[MattGeorge85]

I know (sort of) that's why this is so damn depressing.

[Sticksboi05]

I know (sort of) that's why this is so damn depressing.

Why not Jordan? Or Smith? It doesn't have to be a boy band/crappy girl pop singer.

[MattGeorge85]

Honestly Jordan would have been my pick as well- for a person. He was liked by people who didn't even like sports (and arguably the best person ever to play his particular sport).

In the case of Will Smith he is very popular and was good at numerous things. But excelled at none. Just my opinion, and yes he can act better than he does in his summer blockbusters. But I've never seen him in a movie without thinking this is Will Smith as...

Whereas most other choices were stuck mainly to the genre that made them popular- and less than arguable of being the best ever. Unless you are talking rap / hip hop which is a whole new discussion which is wide open.

[Hunny]

Why not Jordan? Or Smith? It doesn't have to be a boy band/crappy girl pop singer.

Maybe not everyone adored or aspired to be like Jordan, but I'd say everyone within generation Y definatley knew who he was. This is why I'll agree, he probably is the biggest pop icon of our generation.

[Who Del]

Radiohead

.

[RiggosMohawk]

Man... being in Gen Y must REALLY suck.

Yeah you had Jordan, but missed his early years which were GREAT. Missed two Skins SBs, Riggins, the 85 Bears, great 80s movies, AWFUL 80s music.... but you had the pinnacle of rap music. Death Row Records (Tupac Dre Snoop) & Biggie - those were your big icons

[Sticksboi05]

Honestly Jordan would have been my pick as well- for a person. He was liked by people who didn't even like sports (and arguably the best person ever to play his particular sport).

In the case of Will Smith he is very popular and was good at numerous things. But excelled at none. Just my opinion, and yes he can act better than he does in his summer blockbusters. But I've never seen him in a movie without thinking this is Will Smith as...

Whereas most other choices were stuck mainly to the genre that made them popular- and less than arguable of being the best ever. Unless you are talking rap / hip hop which is a whole new discussion which is wide open.

True but, he starred in one of the most popular shows of the 90's, was a multiplatinum selling artist with Jazzy Jeff and then solo and has had so many blockbuster box office hits, I.D. , MIB etc.

But I still gotta pick Jordan.

[Sticksboi05]

Maybe not everyone adored or aspired to be like Jordan, but I'd say everyone within generation Y definatley knew who he was. This is why I'll agree, he probably is the biggest pop icon of our generation.

True but a hell of a lot of people did and he was a mega icon when he began winning rings, if not really before then in the late 80's. Pop culture professors have said he is right up the with The Beatles in terms of pop culture and his impact. Whether that's true or not, the fact that people who know the topic are willing to make the discussion says alot.

He was on every billboard, commercials, had his own movie which did surprisingly well at the box office which every 90's kid knows, has been called a $10 billion icon and marketing man and the RIDICULOUS, I mean RIDICULOUS impact he had on the NBA is absurd. He turned it into mainstream, even for people who didn't care about it. Coul you go a day without seeing him in some sort of news media. The ratings when he left, plummeted in 1994, then skyrocketed when he came back. The 1998 Finals, where it was highly noted that it'd likely be his last were the ONLY Finals in history to have higher TV ratings than the World Series. 76 million people watched Game 6. His NBA Finals series averaged 30 million per game, now, the NBA, even with Kobe, is lucky to get 15 million. There are news articles from around the world, Poland, Japan, Mexico, South America, you name it when he finally retired in 1999. His jersey is still the highest seller in the league. When I was in high school, I saw more MJ jerseys, this is in the late 2000's, than I saw Wizards jerseys. The shoes are part of pop culture with the Mars Blackman commercials and still sell in ridiculous numbers with each edition. The logo is one of the most well known worldwide. He's still on Gatorade and Hanes commercials. He was on the cover of SI a record 49 times, made the cover of TIME when he retired in 98 and let's not forget the players taking pictures with him during the 1992 Olympics. There have been other famous people in our prime era no doubt like Britney, Backstreet, Smith but I think Jordan stands above them all.

We are not looking for the next Britney yet every great player the comes into the NBA is dubbed, "the next Jordan" because we want one but won't get another.

Ok, I rest my case.

[Sticksboi05]

Man... being in Gen Y must REALLY suck.

Yeah you had Jordan, but missed his early years which were GREAT. Missed two Skins SBs, Riggins, the 85 Bears, great 80s movies, AWFUL 80s music.... but you had the pinnacle of rap music. Death Row Records (Tupac Dre Snoop) & Biggie - those were your big icons

Spare me, my parents would say your generation sucks and we will tell Gen Z they suck next decade.

[dockeryfan]

Tell you what, Stickboi.

You find me one reference to Generation Y and Michael Jordan and I'll take you seriously.

Until then, you're an Eminem, boy band, Britney Spears, OJ trial, Harry Potter reading generation.

[Sticksboi05]

Tell you what, Stickboi.

You find me one reference to Generation Y and Michael Jordan and I'll take you seriously.

Until then, you're an Eminem, boy band, Britney Spears, OJ trial, Harry Potter reading generation.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58547

"Beyond these big events, generations share culture, Russo said. For Gen Y, cultural icons include Michael Jordan, Princess Diana and Bill Gates."

Gen-Y Changing the World: the Future of the American Workplace (http://theofficenewb.com/2008/06/02/gen-y-changing-the-world-the-future-of-the-american-workplace/)

"Personally I’m not sure why everyone is so obsessed with obtaining a mentor. I was once assigned to write an essay in junior high about my role-model. While the other kids wrote about why they admired Michael Jordan or Madonna"

COMMUNICATING ACROSS THE GENERATIONS (http://www.uwex.edu/CES/cty/polk/cnred/documents/GenerationalPresentation.ppt)

Beverly Stencel, Professor and Hans Hanson, Associate Professor University of Wisconsin-Extension

Gen Y’s: Heroes

* Michael Jordan


Introducing: Generation Y Series: PG; Parental Guidance (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=archive&ct=res&cd=1-0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpqasb.pqarchiver.com%2Fsptimes%2F access%2F51860045.html%3Fdids%3D51860045%3A5186004 5%26FMT%3DABS%26FMTS%3DABS%3AFT%26type%3Dcurrent%2 6date%3DSep%2B02%252C%2B1994%26author%3DALAN%2BDUM AS%26pub%3DSt.%2BPetersburg%2BTimes%26desc%3DIntro ducing%253A%2BGeneration%2BY%2BSeries%253A%2BPG%25 3B%2BParental%2BGuidance%26pqatl%3Dgoogle&ei=8AfVSrzZPIflgQeuraXxDQ&usg=AFQjCNFEE0xhYKAT97LO0LFZJZxwOwqWVA)

"Posters of his two most admired individuals - Michael Jordan and Snoop Doggy Dog"

[spjunkies]

What about Leonardo DiCaprio or Tiger Woods?

[Sticksboi05]

Evidence enough? I mean just look at the years, only the absolute youngest Gen Y born in like 93/93 wouldn't have been super influenced by MJ. And girls, please, every kd, boy or girl watched Space Jam.

[dockeryfan]

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58547

"Beyond these big events, generations share culture, Russo said. For Gen Y, cultural icons include Michael Jordan, Princess Diana and Bill Gates."

Gen-Y Changing the World: the Future of the American Workplace (http://theofficenewb.com/2008/06/02/gen-y-changing-the-world-the-future-of-the-american-workplace/)

"Personally I’m not sure why everyone is so obsessed with obtaining a mentor. I was once assigned to write an essay in junior high about my role-model. While the other kids wrote about why they admired Michael Jordan or Madonna"

COMMUNICATING ACROSS THE GENERATIONS (http://www.uwex.edu/CES/cty/polk/cnred/documents/GenerationalPresentation.ppt)

Beverly Stencel, Professor and Hans Hanson, Associate Professor University of Wisconsin-Extension

Gen Y’s: Heroes

* Michael Jordan


Introducing: Generation Y Series: PG; Parental Guidance (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=archive&ct=res&cd=1-0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpqasb.pqarchiver.com%2Fsptimes%2F access%2F51860045.html%3Fdids%3D51860045%3A5186004 5%26FMT%3DABS%26FMTS%3DABS%3AFT%26type%3Dcurrent%2 6date%3DSep%2B02%252C%2B1994%26author%3DALAN%2BDUM AS%26pub%3DSt.%2BPetersburg%2BTimes%26desc%3DIntro ducing%253A%2BGeneration%2BY%2BSeries%253A%2BPG%25 3B%2BParental%2BGuidance%26pqatl%3Dgoogle&ei=8AfVSrzZPIflgQeuraXxDQ&usg=AFQjCNFEE0xhYKAT97LO0LFZJZxwOwqWVA)

"Posters of his two most admired individuals - Michael Jordan and Snoop Doggy Dog"

Since you brought this up, I've been looking for a lot of Michael Jordan references, and I found none. If you look at the ones you posted in order.

The first one doesn't even say he agrees with Michale Jordan, he just tries to remember who wrote papers about whom in high school. 1) That's not the same. An idol is not the same as a pop icon. People usually pick athletes for those high school papers. Or family members, etc. 2) He isn't even agreeing with the idea that Jordan would be appropriate.

The second one the link doesn't work.

The third one brings up this abstract...
ntroducing: Generation Y Series: PG; Parental Guidance
[CITY Edition]
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg, Fla.
Author: ALAN DUMAS
Date: Sep 2, 1994
Start Page: 1.D
Section: FLORIDIAN
Text Word Count: 1426
Abstract (Document Summary)

Consider your typical TIC, a 13-year-old boy dressed in a Metallica cap, baggy shorts that say "No Fear," a D.A.R.E. T-shirt and $90 Nikes. He has Pearl Jam or Dr. Dre playing through the headphones of his Walkman and In Living Color or The Simpsons on the TV set - a set that's also hooked up to Super Nintendo.

"I know a lot of people have worries about these kids and the influences on them, but there's really nothing we can do," says Dr. Jeff Dolgan, chief of psychology at Children's Hospital in Denver. "If you're an evolutionist, you just have to assume that new kinds of creatures emerge from old kinds, and that's what's happening."

"Skaters are very rude and very hostile, they have bad attitudes," explained Shawntel League, 14, while hanging out with some fellow TICs at the Aurora Mall. Shawntel herself is wearing baggy clothes and says a lot of people accuse her of being a Wigger, but she's not.

Nowhere does it say anything about Jordan at all.

So I keep looking, and no one is talking about what you say. Except you. ANd a few friends. Hell, there was even a poster in this thread that said Harry Potter was a big part of his growing up.

I've linked articles in the NYT, you've given me three links, one broken, one that doesn't mention Jordan at all, and one that doesn't agree that Jordan was a pop icon.

I know you feel a certain way, but there isn't a lot written that says other people feel the same as you. I get it. You hate Harry Potter and don't want your generation defined by it. That sucks I guess.

[Sticksboi05]

Since you brought this up, I've been looking for a lot of Michael Jordan references, and I found none. If you look at the ones you posted in order.

The first one doesn't even say he agrees with Michale Jordan, he just tries to remember who wrote papers about whom in high school. 1) That's not the same. An idol is not the same as a pop icon. People usually pick athletes for those high school papers. Or family members, etc. 2) He isn't even agreeing with the idea that Jordan would be appropriate.

The second one the link doesn't work.

The third one brings up this abstract...

Nowhere does it say anything about Jordan at all.

So I keep looking, and no one is talking about what you say. Except you. ANd a few friends. Hell, there was even a poster in this thread that said Harry Potter was a big part of his growing up.

I've linked articles in the NYT, you've given me three links, one broken, one that doesn't mention Jordan at all, and one that doesn't agree that Jordan was a pop icon.

I know you feel a certain way, but there isn't a lot written that says other people feel the same as you. I get it. You hate Harry Potter and don't want your generation defined by it. That sucks I guess.

That's not the entire article. You have to pay $2.50 or something to read the entire thing. Google News's preview shows the part which Jordan because that's what I searched. The second one is a Powerpoint so it may not have opened for you.

I don't know where you're getting this idea that I said hell no to Harry Potter, it as that other guy who's like 26 who said that. I said Jordan because Gen Y grew up in the 90's which is when he was a mega star, it's sort of common sense. All those links work, I have class.