Let's review. You've got a "stoner", a talking dog, a male sex addict, a lesbian and a tramp. That just about covers it, Gen X in a nutshell. Scooby Doo was the voice of a generation, one generation too early. Maybe, that's why they call us the lost generation. A voiceless generation without hope, a generation without direction, a generation without a scapegoat...like old man Withers.

Mark Dorr, Tim Solley and Chad Holder
Scooby Doo: Lost Voice of Generation X

Generation X has been confounding both its elders and its members alike since the day the phrase was coined. "What is Generation X?" cry the masses. "What do they want? How can we get through to them?"

Ask them.

Any trek through the wilds of the internet will reveal pages upon pages of writings by and for X'ers. The trick is knowing where to look and what to do once you get there. Here, I'll show you.

Baiting the X'ers
There are a few tried and true methods used to get members of this demographic to reveal themselves. I suggest trying to sell them something. Suddenly you'll be bombarded by cries of "I am not a Target Market" from all sides. Congratulations, you've fleshed out the X'ers. Of course, some X'ers aren't quite as sensitive to marketing as the rest would have you believe. Don't worry. We'll get them, too.

How conspicuous are you? Maybe you should try to fit in, the way anthropologists do when they're out in the field doing what is known as participant observation. Sit back, be comfortable, and try talking to the X'ers. Say something about pop music of the 80's, or cartoons of their youth. Maybe sneak something in about the future of Social Security. In no time at all you'll be surrounded by X'ers nodding and reminiscing right along with you. In time you may be able to gain their trust, and before you know it they'll be eating crumbs right out of your hand. Be careful, though, lest you find yourself too comfortable amidst the X'ers. Maybe you should bring along a few mementos of your life Pre-X'er (not to be confused with Mentos, which could achieve the opposite effect).

Get to know the X'ers. Think for a moment of all those silly articles you've read about them. Could they all be true? Could the stereotypes really be that all-encompassing? Chances are they're not. Remember that each X'er is an individual human being (honest, I know some) with his or her own ideas about pretty much everything. Once you know a few X'ers, I guarantee that you'll start seeing them everywhere. Don't be paranoid, though, this proliferation is normal. If I hear about any attempts by the GenX Militia to take over your comfortable little world, I'll be sure to put something up on this page about it.

Stay Tuned.

Now, on to the crisis.