The Silent 
Generation 

Silents are about 95% retired at this point. In a few short years virtually no Silent will command an industry, a battlefield, anything at all. They will have mostly gone well into the background. So, who were these strange folk named "Silent," these people who could not be the clamorous folk who preceded them nor the next group--the inward-looking Boomers?

This website is for the Silents, the "beats" and the "beatniks," for Philip Wylie's generation of unappreciative "vipers," but more appropriately, it is for this "bridge" generation of somewhat quieter but nevertheless industrious people. Take a good look at the Silents: these people who finally brought you civil rights, an unparalleled national wealth in the arts and commerce, and unimaginable advances in science and technology.

You cannot be recruited to this generation; there's no risk of that. But, you might notice some of the quality of the Silent generation, and you might infer that the loudest drums are not necessarily the best. I ask you to take this visit seriously. According to the theory presented here, big trouble is headed our way. Knowledge about generations will play an enormous part in the outcome.

On the left you will see the theory of generations as expressed by William Strauss and Neil Howe. On the right you will find lists of Silents.

Much of the information and many of the ideas in this site have been taken directly from Generations: A Future History of America from 1584 to 2069 by William Strauss and Neil Howe. Persons who wish to link to this site may do so, on the condition that they provide a standard acknowledgement at their own site of the book, its authors, and of the additional contributions of yours truly.