The Generation X Pop Quiz

It seems like yesterday when the culture was flooded with Baby-Boomer themes. Hippies, Yuppies and Dinks... "The Wonder Years," and "Thirty Something"... Bill Clinton and George W. Bush... Remember when everything was about "them?" Of course, if you're one of them, you probably didn't notice but the rest of us sort of had to suffer through what seemed to be an endless stretch of indulgence.

Occasionally, we'd hear talk of the "next" generation. This, of course, meant people born after the Boomers; Generation X as it has been so affectionately named. These were kids who were known primarily for what they were not. Specifically, they were not part of the greatest generation to have ever graced the planet. Due to their (our) unfortunate point of birth, the expectations have proven to be appropriately low... Low ambition...Low SAT scores... Low standards... In contrast to our energetic elders who seemed to be shaking things up since they came out of the womb, Xers are typically known for our lack of enthusiasm. While the Boomers were collectively making the world after themselves, we have tended to prefer individual sports like playing video games and watching MTV. Although perpetually harangued over the disappointment, prior generations are getting used to the response...Whatever.

This has all been a curious experience for me, perhaps because I was born in 1964--the very year that neither generation wants to claim. Some mark 1964 as the end of the Baby Boomers; others insist it is the beginning of Generation X. And I've got to admit it, at times I have identified with both groups and their respective causes. And now, as the world passes to yet another generation (they've been dubbed The Millennials), I find this whole generation thing a bit overstated. But before we find our world completely turned over to folks who were raised on Barney and Hip Hop, let's revisit the lost generation one last time.

Here is a quiz to see what we know about Generation X. It is not exhaustive and you will have to keep your own score. Disappointed? Shut Up Beavis!

1. What was the first video ever played on MTV? (5 points)

2. Who are the latch-key kids? (3 points)

3. Name one or more members of Nirvana not named Kurt Cobain? (5 points for each)

4. Which of the following were Gen X styles? (5 points if correct, none if incorrect)
a. leather ties
b. plaid shoes
c. flannel shirts
d. a and c
e. all of the above

5. What are the names of the Pacman ghosts? (1 point per correct, minus 1 for wrong answer)

6. Who are Steve, Stephen and Bill? (5 points if entirely correct)

7. Name four films starring Eric Stoltz (1 point per correct)

8. Who were the original MTV VJs (2 points per correct)

9. Name the only Heather who wasn't named Heather? (5 points)

10. What is a Mallrat? (1 point or 5 points)

11. Who taught American History at Ridgemont High? (5 points)

12. True or False: Most Gen Xers are more interested in owning a PC than they are in being PC? (5 points)

13. What are the first and last names of the two main characters of the X-files? (2 points each)

14. What was Jeremy's nickname in the 1991 Pearl Jam hit? (5 points)

15. Name the eight typically cited members of the "Brat Pack." (1 point for every correct)


Answers...
1 "Video Killed The Radio Star" If you didn't get this one, it might be a long quiz
2. The Xers! If you came home from school and no one was there, you might be from my neighborhood
3. Krist (or Chris) Novoselic and one of several drummers but most notably Dave Grohl
4. The answer is E. Gen X fashion included many styles from new wave to grunge
5. Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde [Sue belonged to Ms. Pacman]
6. Steve Jobs, Stephen Wozniak and Bill Gates... These guys are Boomers but most Gen Xers would recognize thier names
7. He was born in 1961 but we will claim him.
8. Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson and Martha Quinn
9. "Veronica" Winona Ryder works too
10. If you said a kid hanging out at a mall, you get one. If you reference the classic 1995 film, you get five!
11. Mr. Hand!!! Don't ya remember learning about Cuba and having some food? C'mon Dude!
12. True. If you missed this, your not from th th th their generation.
13. Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
14. King Jeremy The Wicked
15. Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy

How did you do?

Above 50: Not Bad
Above 60: Pretty Good
Above 70: Careful Now
Above 80 Whatever