Millennials versus Old Economy Steve: Memes, generational abandonment, and the possibilities of taking care
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2021
Department/School
Communication, Media and Theatre Arts
Publication Title
Southern Communication Journal
Abstract
Although the Great Recession affected most US Americans, Millennials were among the groups that most felt its impact. Despite this, older generations framed Millennials’ laziness and narcissism as the cause of the slow economic recovery. In response, the meme Old Economy Steve (OES) emerged as a tool for Millennials to take control of their generational identity. Analyzing the varied iterations of the meme, I argue OES presents narrative fragments that coalesce around a story of Millennial’s’ generational abandonment by Baby Boomers. While an imperfect explanation of economic trends, OES offers a template for the use of generational conflict as a rhetorical resource for collective self-care, selfwriting, and alternative politics.
Link to Published Version
Recommended Citation
Carter, J. S. (2021). Millennials versus Old Economy Steve: Memes, generational abandonment, and the possibilities of taking care. Southern Communication Journal, 86(4), 309–319. https://doi.org/10.1080/1041794X.2021.1933155