If you had to choose, would you rather have been born 15 years before or 15 years after you actually were? And why?

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Probably 15 years before. My husband was born in 1970 and I was born in 1982. Sometimes I just feel like him and I were both born in the 70s because I remember SO much of the 80s so clearly, even though I was a child. It would be cute if we had met as teenagers in the 80s.

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GalaxyRedRanger@reddit

Neither. I was a kid in 1986. What more could you want?

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kitterkatty@reddit

64 definitely 💯 15 years younger is the age of my younger siblings and they’re suffering more than I did. Even that different. 94

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lumpialarry@reddit

15 years before. If only so that when I turned 16 it would have been the late 70s and you could still pick up a muscle car for reasonable money. By the time I reached driving age they were all rusted hulks or going for more money than I had access to with an after school job.

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Unspoolio@reddit

As a gay guy I might have to say after. If I’d been born before I would have come of age just when HIV/AIDS was taking off, not to mention how generally more homophobic the culture was back then. These gay kids born just a few years after me still don’t know how much the world changed.

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nnulll@reddit

Age-old question where most redditors show their privilege

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Sofagirrl79@reddit

Thank you! I'm straight but I'm autistic and if I was born in '64 being more socially awkward during the late 70s and early 80s would have been harder when society seemed a lot more extroverted during that time period

If I was born in '94 I could have gotten a better diagnosis instead of "neurological problems" like I got in the mid 80s,also my parents would have had more money and patience cause they were broke 22 year olds and I was their first

This timeline blows but if you're not straight or neurotypical or not White it might have been tougher to be born 15 years earlier than your actual birthdate

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FoppyDidNothingWrong@reddit

I was born at the wrong OTL here. When I got into the work force they had no stomach for neurodivergence and would just spread mad rumors about you. It took me 5 - 7 years to 'figure it out' and be able to kick it with the normies. Suddenly mid 2010s people started talking mental health awareness and diversity being wielded like a sword by the same heartless bastards and I was like "where the fuck was this when I needed it?"

Old X'ers who took a chance on me initiated me with the "Sink or Swim" mentality. I'm not giving up what I learned when you know those in power are going to pull that fucking rug.

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comradb0ne@reddit

As a black man going back in time sucks all around. So I'm right with you on this sentiment.

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firesticks@reddit

Woman of colour and same. Aside from the racism and dangerous misogyny, making the career I have for myself would have been so much more difficult.

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ForceGhost47@reddit

I have two daughters and I’m so happy they will grow up in a less misogynistic world.

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Altruistic_Bus1988@reddit

Will they though? 5 minutes on Twitter will show you that things are trending away from that with all the Alpha Male and Incel culture. Not to mention there are people in power floating the idea of taking away women’s right to vote. I am actually terrified of what this country could be like as my daughter gets older. Of course the last one is only relevant if you’re in the US.

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IndigoSecrets@reddit

I’m biracial and it would be risky to jump back for me for different reasons. If I could choose my location maybe.

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Peanut083@reddit

As a teacher, when I talk about this kind of stuff with queer kids, I tell them that they’re fortunate to be able to be openly right now. I fully acknowledge that we still have a long way to come as a society in our attitudes towards queer people of all varieties, but there is no way anyone was coming out as gay in the ‘90s when I was at school unless they wanted to be repeatedly bashed.

At least these days the overall societal attitude in western countries seems to be that homophobes are somewhat unhinged. It doesn’t mean that there’s not individuals or geographical pockets where people still think it’s ok to openly express homophobic views, but it’s not like it was in the ‘90s. I want to hope that things are going to get better for trans people, but I feel like it’s going to take a while yet.

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moonbunnychan@reddit

This fresh college grad that I work with was telling me how he didn't understand why we had pride month because "nobody cares if you're gay"....and it really was a reminder to me just how much things had changed just in MY lifetime. I don't think he relly fully believed me when I explained it.

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cia218@reddit

I’m fascinated. Which area do you teach and what grade? What’s the community mix (e.g. low income, or middle income, or rural, mostly white or inner city, etc)? So like are the queer kids still called names or bullied? How are they socially, particularly the out ones? Are gay slurs still used? Have other kids become more protective of their queer classmates? I am curious how accepted being queer is at their age.

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thevaginalist@reddit

Pan Latina here. Hard agree

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ChiefSampson@reddit

And possibly being drafted to go to Vietnam.

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originalbrowncoat@reddit

No question there. Plus id much rather Reagan already be dead than be on the rise.

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RelevantFilm2110@reddit

I was little during the Reagan years, though he looks left in comparison to what we have today.

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PSN-Colinp42@reddit

Yeah, my initial thought was before and then I remembered this little nugget. So crazy how much things have changed.

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Disastrous-Screen337@reddit

We really weren't nice. I wasn't. I regret it. The world has changed for the better I hope. I sure hope we don't regress.

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MechaNickzilla@reddit

Thread closer.

I’m cis but I’ll take the progressive attitude of 30 years later over the cool nostalgic analog days of yore any day of the week.

Overall, I’m happy with the date I landed in. I didn’t get super lucky in many other things in life but I might have won the timeline lottery being born in 1979.

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Mercurial_Midwestern@reddit

As a Queer Woman I would also say after. I would way rather have been born in 1997 and have had queer shows and openly queer celebs, politicians, etc out and about to grow up with than to grow up in the 70s or 80s.

Not to mention the younger generation has a lot more emotional maturity and a lot less "spare the rod spoil the child" bullshit.

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Bluevanonthestreet@reddit

My teen daughter is obsessed with Queen and we watched Bohemian Rhapsody this week. She asked lots of questions about the AIDS epidemic and she still can’t wrap her head around it. She didn’t understand why I cried when Freddy’s dad hugged him after he officially came out.

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Jerkrollatex@reddit

Very valid point.

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Ok_Individual960@reddit

Even as a hetero guy, I completely understand. Today I understand, but back in my teens I know there was a ton of negative energy going that way.

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Unspoolio@reddit

Thanks, man.

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ezhammer@reddit

Before. Fuck growing up with cell phones and social media.

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Spartan04@reddit

100% agree. I’ve always related more to GenX than Millennials anyway and it might be fun to experience being a teenager in the 70s and 80s.

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Nightcalm@reddit

oh for sure. I went to a wild party in the late and they were taking Polaroid pictures and putting them in the big table. before I left I took every picture with me i it. the surveillance society was a bigger boggie man in the 70s. watch The Conversation with Gene Hackman.

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Selmarris@reddit

Plus I could probably actually buy a house and retire.

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greaterwhiterwookiee@reddit

This is the most important comment.

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scroopydog@reddit

It’s really not. It’s selfish in the same way boomers are about “got ours”. It validates them.

The right comment is: I’d be born 15 years earlier so I could fight to affect the change to allow future generations to have a sustainable society, including housing, medical care, retirement, education and careers.

We act all sad like we’re getting fucked, and indignant about it, and then make tone deaf comments like this. WTF guys?

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Even_Candidate5678@reddit

If you’re not in a position to do these things now you wouldn’t be if you were born 15 years earlier.

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Elmundopalladio@reddit

Plus for me my profession was in much better shape. I would have taken a hit in the early 90’s. But I’m seeing folk retire in much better shape than my contemporaries will be in 15 years time.

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Hypnot0ad@reddit

Also get to wear those cool red hats.

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ArtsyRabb1t@reddit

This so much

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PlaneAd8667@reddit

100%. Well stated, fellow human.

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Ohdibahby@reddit

I wouldn’t know how to convert to a PDF file and still be worth $1.5mil at retirement.

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FoppyDidNothingWrong@reddit

gif

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Ok_Individual960@reddit

and cameras everywhere... Geez that would be a buzz kill

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a_solid_6@reddit

Right? I would've had a lot less fun as a teenager if I knew my picture could be taken at any moment and shared with the whole world.

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Its-all-downhill-80@reddit

The only answer

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JPhrog@reddit

This is exactly my same sentiment. We got the best of both worlds but the tech age didn't really start until our late teens/early 20s. I wouldn't want to grow up in the age of cellphone, social media and cameras everywhere!

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SkylarSea@reddit

I came here to say the exact same thing.

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AwkwardFactor84@reddit

Me 3

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StopClockerman@reddit

Despicable Me 3 (2017)

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ImplementFew224118@reddit

Yes to all of you.

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SkylarSea@reddit

I just see photos and video of kids and teens from the 70s and they seem so free, socializing with one another and not tied down with technology...and much more of a human connection. Now when I pass by groups of younger people, they're all standing around staring at screens and not interacting with anyone. It's so sad to me.

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lastcallhall@reddit

Yep this is the answer.

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ChiefSampson@reddit

The other side of that coin is possibly getting drafted to go to Vietnam.

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Euphoric-Proposal-42@reddit

💯

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doyoulikemyladysuit@reddit

Ditto.

Do people say that anymore? They should.

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Hypnot0ad@reddit

That would have been a good one for the thread and the other day about old phrases.

Now it will always remind me of an email at work that was sent out to almost the entire company. Someone replied all “please remove me from this list”. Then a senior manager replied all “Ditto”. Then all hell broke loose and our email system was down for two days.

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softshrew@reddit

I say it all the time 😎

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scintillaient@reddit

Yup.

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td138@reddit

Same!

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Jerkrollatex@reddit

For sure. I didn't need a snitch in my pocket and everyone else's pocket growing up.

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Winter_Dimension8107@reddit

This is the way.

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agentmkultra666@reddit

This exactly!

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Appropriate_Berry_44@reddit

Before

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halfwayhandykelso@reddit

Before

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Far-Slice-3821@reddit

16 years of a generation, so your premise isn't a half generation.

15 years earlier.

Personal reasons: My family went from very comfortable middle class to poverty in the 80s. My siblings who are 10+ years older than me went to private school and had family vacations. I only remember the "after" when we lived on animal-feed oatmeal and expired goods.

Public reason: I would love to have started a career and retirement account during the roaring economy of the 90s. Gen X was small, so housing was more affordable.

Con: AIDS crisis and crack epidemic. If I had to choose between my public school in the 1980s or 2010s I would 100% no question absolutely choose 2010s.

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Slumunistmanifisto@reddit

Before man....like economics

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carriestewbert@reddit

100% AFTER. If it was before, I would have been born in the early sixties, and that’s a hard no for me.

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Jameson-Mc@reddit

Clearly neither - your punishment for asking is you are cast out - born at the best time and this poster is looking to either get into DesertStorm or Afghanistan - go sign up if u want some

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Apprehensive-Cat-111@reddit

After. I just see no reason to choose to be 15 years older.

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slash_networkboy@reddit

Given my history I suppose I'd have to choose earlier. I'd likely be one of the 80's tech people at that point. Maybe I'd be rich as a result?

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Redlady0227@reddit

Before is what I would choose because I would have gotten to spend more time with my parents

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Skywren7@reddit

15 years before. Everything has been bleak after the 2000s

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RedneckThinker@reddit

... and fall into ineptitude with modern technology in either direction.

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Cabaline_16@reddit

As a Woman... after. Hands down.

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catforbrains@reddit

Honestly, after. I am probably a variety of neuro-spicy thanks to my parents, but being a girl, I never got flagged for diagnosis. My life would have been really different if I had an explanation instead of "you just don't try hard enough. Try just not being you."

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Elenakalis@reddit

Same. I didn't get diagnosed until my son did, and the person doing the assessment was like "So mom, how old were you when you were diagnosed with ADHD?". I think they also do a much better job supporting ADHD diagnoses now than they did when i was a kid.

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fluffychonkycat@reddit

Same here. I'm going through a diagnostic process now, feel pretty sad about how things could have been. 15 years earlier would probably have been even worse

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Adrasteia-One@reddit

15 years earlier, without question. To be young but old enough at the height of the grunge explosion would be so awesome. Also, no social media to worry about for decades.

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RotrickP@reddit

It was great. There wasn't much heavy or straight up rock designed for teens. It was hair bands or Metallica.

Then all of the sudden, it was all music for us and it was organic for a few years at least

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averageduder@reddit

Yea grunge too. I remember liking nirvana and Pearl Jam etc but I was just like 9 when never mind came out. To have been able to enjoy that live and have been able to see bands like the pixies and mudhoney when they were still fresh, or Metallica, would have been amazing

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Adrasteia-One@reddit

Totally! It's different when you discover someone in their prime or on the verge of blowing up and feel like you're part of that in-the-moment experience.

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they_just_appear@reddit

Before. Wish I could have experienced thrash and hardcore in my teens and grunge in my 20s when all those bands had their classic lineups and were all in their primes.

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TransportationOk657@reddit

Definitely 15 before my birth year of 1979. - College and technical schools were much more affordable for that demographic. - You could still buy a house at reasonable prices. - By the time I'd reach adulthood, a family of four could still live a relatively good life off of a fairly decent job (even mid to low skilled jobs usually paid decently), and even if only one parent worked - As much as I've become accustomed to instantly having directions, information, and news in the palm of my hand, I would gladly trade all that for life before the internet and smartphones. The world felt more mysterious and full of wonder. - People born 15 years before me were more likely to be established with a career and home before all the crap we endured. At least some of us Xennials had the chance to own a home and get somewhat established before the Great Recession hit.

A few downsides are: - The high crime wave that spanned the 1970s through the mid-90s. - Stagflation and urban decay that affected some regions more than others. - Medical technology and things like the AIDS epidemic. - The greater presence of racism, homophobia, and other forms of bigotry

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Autumn_Forest_Mist@reddit

Probably after

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Tall_0rder@reddit

After. Screw growing up without cell phone, video games, and the internet.

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BoboliBurt@reddit

This is a total brainer if you are queer, a woman or Black. And I don’t think the early 60s gets you clear enough of deindustrialization to make it a slam slam dunk choice for anyone- even if there are economic advantages for some baby boomer years. I mean a Boomer that age if still alive and healthy still has a decade or two left to see what the next predicament is with society before shedding their mortal coil and just entered retirement in many cases.

There is also a Boomer cohort that has been highly disadvantaged by luck. Those who graduated around 1980 had 1970s stagflation, the Reagan Double Dip Recessions, the 1991 recession, tech bust, 9/11 and Great recession followed by Covid hit them at the absolute worst time career wise. 15 years before any of the Xennial years (75-85) covers that window.

This is where I put in my reminder that the voting age of 18!first applied to presidential elections in 1972 (meaning youngest 1968 voter was born in 47) and the youth vote went for Nixon in 72.

And also Earl Warren was born in the 19th century, MLK in the 1920s and even the main backer of the 1990s VAW Act was born in 1922. The Boomers efforts to paint themselves as agents of change is as ridiculous as if Gen A claimed they invented and spearheaded the adoption of iPhones because they saw they were alive when the adults were busy navigating these changes.

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leshpar@reddit

15 years before. I was born in 84. I really wish I could have experienced the 80s as a teenager. Then I would have been able to also experience arcades in the late 70s and early 80s as well.

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gazmbuku@reddit

Before. My older brother got to go to the illegal raves in the UK in the late 80s/early 90s. Sounded amazing

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hacksawomission@reddit

I'm curious, for the people who say before, could you still be a product of your parents? Mine wouldn't have met yet, heck my mom would have only even been a teenager for a few months. So, I definitely wouldn't be me. Could you be you?

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tronassembled@reddit

Age-wise, sure, but I wouldn't have gotten to enjoy that "oh you're going out? Till when? You don't know? OK have fun" that came with having older parents

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averageduder@reddit

My parents had me in their teens, so no chance.

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MittlerPfalz@reddit (OP)

I almost wrote in my op not to get hung up on “Back to the Future” style hang ups and just assume your parents were old enough to have known each other and have you. (The intent of the post was more to see about generational dynamics and the key touchpoints of what those who came before and after us experienced.)

But of course, say, if your parents were an interracial couple that might be a factor against choosing “before,” due to the extra societal backlash they (and you) may have received!

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Hossflex@reddit

Before. Social media and cell phones have killed life. I fear for my 6 year old.

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Fraggle_Frock@reddit

On balance, before. It would have been nice to have been a teenager and YA in the 1980's and the 1990's were pretty low stress too. Retirement earlier with a decent pension sounds good and buying a house for much less that I was forced to right after they doubled in price in the early 00's in the UK sounds good to me. Would have been nice to have had 15 extra years at work without email and being constantly chased by mobile phone too.

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dixiebandit69@reddit

Before, for sure. Boomers got the best of everything.

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DrakeJersey@reddit

They didn’t make the medication I take 15 years earlier, so simple choice.

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Ok_Egg_2665@reddit

15 before. I could have bought house and had much cheaper college.

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ammodramussavannarum@reddit

Every day when I’m trying to keep up with my five year old I wish I was born 15 years later.

I’m in the middle of a move to a “more affordable location” and I constantly get frustrated and depressed about what I can afford for housing and then I wish I was born 15 years earlier.

Cannot win this.

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Matshelge@reddit

I feel that I might have fit better in 15 years later, but I see the ladder being pulled up, don't think I would be as lucky as I was with current deck.

Also, always feeling like I should be living 10 years in the future would maybe not be solved, perhaps I would still feel this way.

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msheehan418@reddit

After. I wish my hotter years were documented better.

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karenobus@reddit

Girl I feel u

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Adh1434@reddit

I’m right where I need to be

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FoppyDidNothingWrong@reddit

✌️✌️

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Kalle_79@reddit

Heh, probably before.

It'd have been better for a professional career, and socially there was likely a better envorinment as well.

But to be honest, I'm quite fine with my actual timeframe, even though it didn't turn out great due to catastrophical global events just around any important milestone in my life making things harder.

All in all, I (we) managed to enjoy the tail end of the "freedom" era while also experiencing the entire tech boom, from home consoles/computers to cellphones. The good of old-school socialization and the early perks of the internet.

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Character_Bend_5824@reddit

Earlier jump on housing, more good times before COVID, the demise of brick and mortar, and the rise of the machines. Hitting middle age at the rise of, say iPhone 5S, would be ok. Retirement now with a maybe paid off house would be nice. Also, to be in college during that simpler grunge period would have been chill.

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FoppyDidNothingWrong@reddit

I have no tattoos and have absolutely no envy for those who do.

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HowToNotMakeMoney@reddit

‘78 baby and no tattoos and no piercings (not even ears, am a woman). Always thought ink was kinda dumb. Always got looks like I was the freak for not having any.

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iwantmy-2dollars@reddit

Yeah, my niece is in that later group born around 2000 and every single milestone since high school has been screwed up by some disaster. The last of these being she graduated from a legit college via a video with her picture and name read aloud during covid. She scrimped and saved and paid her way through and that’s what she got.

Hands down 15yrs earlier, to be older in the 80s and 90s would’ve been rad. Cellphones and Facebook can suck it.

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tider06@reddit

I was born in 81 and have no tattoos.

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EvilCeleryStick@reddit

Same and same

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naamingebruik@reddit

15 years after so I'd be 15 years younger now

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FoppyDidNothingWrong@reddit

15 years after: Shitty culture, good technology, dystopian bent 15 years before: Awesome culture, food tasted better, really fucking dangerous

I actually take the before because the adulthood was even better if you survived the childhood. 😂 Also living through the 80s and 90s as a young adult with cheap rent and the ability to go from one job to another would be peak.

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LordLaz1985@reddit

15 years earlier. I’d have a house by now.

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Lllsfwfkfpsheart@reddit

My same exact thought.

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winnower8@reddit

Before, easy. So I’d be 22 in 87? I be grandfathered in on every good union contract and good pension deal. All changed around the 90s. Life would be affordable. I could get a dream house for like $50,000.

Yeah, there would be a shitty attitude toward mental health, but there’s more community activity.

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Lllsfwfkfpsheart@reddit

This is my thinking exactly. I'd be retired and put, putting around by now. Traveling with that AARP discount. Lol.

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1nationunderpod@reddit

15 years before. That would have been 1967, almost a perfect time to be born.

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sal101010@reddit

Before. I wish I could have enjoyed the 80s as a teen and young adult! I would have bought sooo much music and truly embraced the fashion of the era.

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cabanners@reddit

After, for sure! That would put me at 1996. As a black American woman, I can’t imagine being born any earlier in this country’s history.

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KoalaOriginal1260@reddit

This question hinges so much on whether you are straight, white, and to a somewhat lesser extent, a woman.

As a straight white dude, I instantly chose the earlier time because for folks that look like me, that was an era when you could own a house with a regular job. Had to come to the comments to be reminded of my privilege.

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Lllsfwfkfpsheart@reddit

While some experiences are shared that doesn't make any group a monolith. I don't want to go back too far in history but, I would choose before. I'm tired. I live in an area with way too expensive real estate. People are rude. The world seems colder. I would much rather be 60 right now and retired, or much closer to retirement, than 30. Uhk. I can't even imagine. I can imagine having been born 15 years earlier. I choose '65 over '95. So, the question hinges on a lot of factors, which will be different for each person answering it. People cannot be boiled down to some general understanding of struggle.

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BlkNtvTerraFFVI@reddit

Before, I would have loved to have been in my late 20s/early 30s in the 90s

Turning 18 the same year as 9/11 was kind of shit

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SissyWasHere@reddit

I did my math wrong, so I had to delete my comment and start over. I was born in ‘77, so I’d have to choose between ‘62 and ‘92. Baby boomer or millennial. I can’t imagine myself as a baby boomer. But maybe it’d be better to have been born in ‘62. For all the reasons mentioned by others. However I’d kinda like to be younger than I am now, so being born in ‘92 might be better. I’d have more of my life ahead of me. And financially I’d hopefully be okay still. I know people 18 years younger than me and they’re doing great financially, have a great house, great jobs, etc.

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SissyWasHere@reddit

I was born in ‘77. So that would put me at ‘92 or ‘65. Millennial or barely Gen X. I identify more as Gen x, so perhaps that would be good. It I was born in ‘92 I’d be so much younger than I am right now and I want to be younger than I am right now. Lol Financially I think I’d be okay as a millennial. I know some millennials 18 years younger than me and they’re doing great financially. It’s tough one. I might choose millennial though so I’d have more of my life ahead of my still.

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Nachoraver@reddit

Before - I would have been 21 in 1990. Would have had my teenage years in the 80’s and my 20’s in the 90’s. Can’t think of a better time to have been a young adult.

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Nachoraver@reddit

Before - I would have been 18 in 92.

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evila_elf@reddit

I was born in 1982. And I think that was just right. I got to grow up playing outside and catching bugs. I grew up alongside technology, but always a step behind - so to speak. I remember renting a VHS player from the local video store when I was a kid. I got to play with a rotary phone. My gaming system was a Gameboy. My first computer with a printer and a scanner cost $1,000 and barely had any storage. I had a flip phone until 2020 when I got my first iPhone (Like 2 months before Covid) because I didn't feel like I needed to carry around a personal computer in my pocket.

Now, I freaking love seeing the advances in technology and am so excited to see what is coming next. I am glad I didn't grow up completely plugged in

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NSA4the__NSA@reddit

15 years ago I'd have said 15 years later.

Today I'll say 15 years earlier

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WheelLeast1873@reddit

Oof.

Would have to take before.

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td138@reddit

Ugh if tough now reading all the comments… valid points with after i.e. I love technology. I love having such a great diverse group of friends. I’m a POC and a woman so in a way a little bit more freedom. But also see the benefits of before, fucking hate social media could probably afford a actual home agree with many others. I feel like the 70s were the best time in music. I think that’s why we’re in this weird little sweet spot where we are aware of both sides of the coin I guess my final question is am I able to Quantum Leap into somebody and or am I me?

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MittlerPfalz@reddit (OP)

You’re you!

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hyzerKite@reddit

Before. Being born AFTER Badmotorfinger came out is not gonna work with me.

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fearless-penguin@reddit

1963? I’d been a boomer. Eh… I’m totally happy where I landed and all… but question being if I had to pick… obviously 15 years before. I not only relate better to, but enjoy so much of, earlier than later.

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Ok_Muscle_1818@reddit

Before = how to say you’re white cis het without saying you’re white cis het

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Important_silence@reddit

15 years later. I’m concerned I would have the “F U I got mine” mindset of late Boomers/Early Gen X if I was born 15 years earlier.

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insomniacandsun@reddit

Really good question, but I’m pretty happy right where I am now.

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stilettopanda@reddit

Before, mostly because although I think I grew up in peak childhood years, I’d rather be closer to the average human clock out years during the current times.

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Nocoastcolorado@reddit

I was too young for the grunge experience. Sometimes wish I had that. Otherwise I think it’s neat I got life before internet, during its infancy, MySpace gen, now after.

Any other time I wish I was born as a Roman during the height of the Roman Empire.

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Careful-Use-4913@reddit

Back.

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Super_Bat_Phone@reddit

I love technology and not a boomer, so 15 years later.

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crmd@reddit

Oh my god to have born in 1965?

10 years old: Pink Floyd wish you were here, Queen night At the opera (bohemian rhapsody), and buckingham/nicks joined Fleetwood mac

20 years old: Madonna like a virgin, Dire straits brothers in arms, prince purple rain, Springsteen born in the USA - are you fucking kidding me

30 years old:

Oasis wonder wall Gangstas paradise TLC waterfalls 1979 smashing pumpkins Selina Dreaming of you

50 yers old: Green Day American idiot Daft Punk technologic The killers Mr brightside

Come on, that’s a orwttt good run

[-]

Bjorn_Blackmane@reddit

Before

[-]

M_J_E@reddit

‘68 > ‘98 in this case.

[-]

spyder7723@reddit

Why only 15? Id like to go back 100 years and have a chance of making it in the industrial revolution.

[-]

Global_Tea@reddit

I’ma woman so it’s a difficult call. Be fifteen in the 80s and get to properly experience that… but female so have a harder time with sexism.

Or be fifteen in the 2010s and shortened the present 2025 and future as a physically younger woman.

Very tough call. I don’t think I can make that. My heart wants earlier.

[-]

fairlyaveragetrader@reddit

Before, somewhere around 2012 was the last year that buying a house was realistic for the average person. It was much easier to make a living if you were born in the mid-60s, much easier to date.

[-]

gaarkat@reddit

After. If I'd been born earlier I'm not sure I would have survived.

[-]

curious_walriss_888@reddit

Before

[-]

ChromeDestiny@reddit

Before, better job market, could have had a modest house, I'd get in early on tech stocks, presumably I'd have about the same taste in music and I'd catch a lot of famous 80's and 90's concerts and I would as a kid in the 70's I would have raided the bargain record bins of a lot of department albums. A lot of now critically acclaimed and coveted albums used to show up in cut out bins.

[-]

badteach248@reddit

I would go forward and be born in 95. Rather that than be 60.

[-]

411592@reddit

15 before

[-]

larryjrich@reddit

15 years before. I would have enjoyed the 80s a lot more as I was a kid and don't remember or even do a whole lot. It would have been much easier to buy a house, and by now I would be just about ready to retire, no more working.

[-]

daughtrylover@reddit

Before. I'd still be a Gen X, too. Heck yeah

[-]

3malcolmgo@reddit

15 years before definitely. Still get to miss social media for my mistake riddled youth.

Housing was way more affordable in terms of price to wage.

Concerts were cheap.

The Tom Brady era, which i hit perfectly with my current birth year, wouldn’t be wasted on youth not appreciating it.

[-]

therealpopkiller@reddit

100% before. Things were still easy then and I would have had a longer career

[-]

Yestie@reddit

Before. But with my memories of this current timeline.

[-]

monstereatspilot@reddit

Before, duh. Everything sucks now. Why would anyone want to be younger dealing with this.

[-]

ms_sid_d@reddit

Before baby! I would love to know what Studio 54 era and 80s vibes, early vibes!

[-]

LoudAndCuddly@reddit

You say that but the truth is a lot of them died to aids. You’d want to be born 15 years later.

Like I love the 80’s too and I pray for a revival but going back technologically wise is always a no no purely for the advances in medical science

[-]

ms_sid_d@reddit

Lol .. don't tell me what to do. You do you honey. Stay in your lane.

As a straight female, aids isn't in reach, maybe for a population I'd circle around with, but not me.

Keep your opinions ABOUT yourself. ✌🏽

And, FYI, I don't want to go back for the lame excuses on this thread like sex and drugs, just fashion, dancing and experiencing life before everything had to be over-theparized and overly sensitive.

STAY IN YOUR LANE. 🤫 🤐

[-]

the_noise_we_made@reddit

Over-theparized 😄 Also straight people got AIDS, dipshit. There is no way to know who someone slept with and people aren't always what they claim.

[-]

HistoryGirl23@reddit

I agree.

[-]

twirlerina024@reddit

When you didn't have to worry about your coke being laced w fentanyl

[-]

sweet_pickles12@reddit

I mean the drugs are a good reason to want to be born in the before times. And the concerts.

[-]

HowToNotMakeMoney@reddit

You make a solid point.

[-]

draperyfallz@reddit

Yes, I feel like I missed out on the fun 70s

[-]

gpo321@reddit

And all the Nixon jokes!

[-]

sweet_pickles12@reddit

And people caring when the President did something illegal!

[-]

Imtifflish24@reddit

Before, early Gen X was gifted SO much opportunity. Back in the 1980’s you could get into UC Berkeley with a 2.8 GPA and you didn’t have to get into a mountain of debt to attend!

[-]

reereejugs@reddit

Before 💯%

[-]

kronik419@reddit

BEFORE BEFORE BEFORE BEFORE PLEASE CHRIST BEFORE!!!

[-]

babe_ruthless3@reddit

Before. I would have turned 18 at the beginning of Thrash.

[-]

unlovelyladybartleby@reddit

Before. I regret I never got to try qualudes

[-]

AngledAwry@reddit

I'd keep the year I was born but would take death fifteen years ago. I dont know if that counts. shrug

[-]

CantaloupeAsleep502@reddit

15 before. I can't even imagine how cool it must have been having the 90s be my 20s. Just magic.

[-]

iakrom@reddit

After. I never would have had kids and thereby spared them their fates in this hellscape.

[-]

angrybirdseller@reddit

15 years later, as bisexual and non-binary social aspect was far rougher in early 80s vs 2010s. By 2035 think life will look far different compared to last 50 years.

[-]

TrappedinSilence98@reddit

This is hard. I’m afraid to say before because my mom, aunts and uncles were part of the crack epidemic. Then if I say after I might have been a product of that same epidemic. Great question though.

[-]

Ill_Athlete_7979@reddit

While I would like to be born earlier due to better job opportunities and no social media, I did not enjoy the gang violence of the 90s

[-]

thevaginalist@reddit

After

[-]

Baby_Button_Eyes@reddit

Before the tail end of ‘76, if I got to spend more childhood time in the 1970’s would been good. (However, I am glad I had a total 1980’s childhood! Cannot complain about when I was born)

[-]

jeremiah15165@reddit

Before lol

[-]

inspectorendoffilm@reddit

Trick question, neither! 1981 was just right

[-]

frooootloops@reddit

Before- I could have had an amazing house at a fraction of today’s prices.

[-]

davwad2@reddit

15 years older or younger?

I think I would take older at this point. The younger generation has more nonsense to deal with on a longer timeline.

[-]

ZealousidealPound460@reddit

Before

[-]

tomqvaxy@reddit

Before I guess. That's rough. I'm making this choice based entirely on music.

[-]

bottleofgoop@reddit

Before. So much before.

[-]

wanderfae@reddit

After for sure. Every year gets me a longer, healthier life, barring accidents.

[-]

tc_cad@reddit

Before. I was the youngest kid in my grade until grade 8, then I was second youngest. All my friends were older and often that had even older siblings so I grew up with a ton of kids from the 1970s yet I’m from 1982. I am aware of a fair bit of 1970s culture, but in a lot of cases I actually experienced it. I like the 1970s.

[-]

nvmls@reddit

Before, I would own a nice house.

[-]

Loop22one@reddit

Tricky choice - 15 years before would massively increase the chances that I would have been dead by now because of AIDS…. So probably 15 after?

But when I was born was pretty ideal IMHO, so no complaints.

[-]

jbailey77@reddit

I feel like I was born in the perfect era 70s (78) to experience the best the 20th century had to offer. I didn’t take full advantage of it but I’m comfortable and happy.

[-]

DameKitty@reddit

Earlier. Support myself on a job, buy a house. It might be a little tight, but it would be doable. I would be a year older than my mom's youngest sister. Lol.

[-]

hockey2256@reddit

Nobody in their right mind would want to be born late 90s. The parent surveillance state that’s been instituted is nuts. Phones, TikTok and that are insanity. We had it good, didn’t realize it

[-]

Sumeriandawn@reddit

Insular thinking

[-]

hockey2256@reddit

Haha

[-]

Sumeriandawn@reddit

👨"I had a good childhood "

👴" No, you didn't "

👨"You think you know more about my life than I do?"

[-]

BKiddo_88@reddit

Before

[-]

RogerDodger457@reddit

Earlier. I’d rather be in my fifties right now than in my twenties. I think I’d be better off financially.

[-]

Fit-Implement-8151@reddit

Before. Easily. We were the last generation to live actual real lives. Kids born after us exist digitally.

[-]

Sumeriandawn@reddit

Real lives?😂

[-]

Fit-Implement-8151@reddit

Yes. Like in the real world. Free from living for Instagram likes.

[-]

Sumeriandawn@reddit

What percentage of young people care about Instagram likes?

Worried about being filmed? Over 300 million in this country, is that really a concern for most people in this country?

[-]

DeltaFlyer0525@reddit

Before! I would question the sanity of anyone who chooses after. I could have an affordable mortgage for one thing and be far better off economically.

[-]

ForceGhost47@reddit

As a white male, 15 years before

[-]

radarthreat@reddit

15 years before, not even a question

[-]

ColbyAndrew@reddit

No. Now was enough.

[-]

itsjustmejttp123@reddit

Before for sure. So many bands I want to see that I was just to young to catch in the 90’s

[-]

_ficklelilpickle@reddit

15 before in a heartbeat. I’d much rather deal with the current world with 15 more years under my belt than being 15 years younger. Especially with respect to buying a house or dealing with COVID.

[-]

bobnifty76@reddit

Backwards without a doubt

[-]

DBPanterA@reddit

Before.

Someone born in ‘65 would have started their work career (and done a good portion of it) before e-mail. They would have been 35 in 2000, so they got to experience most of popular music and television (they also got to attend concerts for the cost of an hour or two of work, not 1 or 2 days).

Someone born in ‘95 is currently turning 30 this year. They would have graduated High School around 2013, so all of our current technology they had and only know that time. They also do not get to experience the 80’s or 90’s, arguably the last two decades worth a shit. This Millenium has started out like a wet fart. 🤷‍♂️

[-]

Mattimvs@reddit

15 years before...Id own a house for sure

[-]

hedwaterboy@reddit

Born in 84 and I’ve bought 2 homes, what’s stopping you?

[-]

Mattimvs@reddit

Poor parents...

[-]

T_Noctambulist@reddit

Your parents shouldn't be buying your house, get a job.

[-]

dotBombAU@reddit

I feel you are a bit out of touch, sir.

[-]

T_Noctambulist@reddit

Get a job kid, no one likes a socialist.

[-]

Xennials-ModTeam@reddit

Gtfo with this dumb trolling shit.

[-]

Realsober@reddit

But you do love those subsidies 🙄

[-]

edwigenightcups@reddit

I like socialists ✊

[-]

mfiasco@reddit

Well nobody likes you either so maybe that’s not the card to play here

[-]

rik1122@reddit

Most homeowners I know had tremendous amounts of help from their parents in all kinds of different ways.

[-]

Mattimvs@reddit

Youre an idiot...

[-]

hedwaterboy@reddit

Guarantee mine are poorer than yours. If you haven’t bought a house it’s your own fault

[-]

Mattimvs@reddit

You finance bros are cringy as fuck

[-]

rik1122@reddit

People don't lend enough credit to how much of a difference this makes, financially and mentally

[-]

CaptPotter47@reddit

Me too.

[-]

Lulu_42@reddit

“Doesn’t everyone have bushels of money?”

[-]

GarminTamzarian@reddit

gif

[-]

GazelleRare1657@reddit

You're turning people off by being so bragadocious, but for real. Born in 77 and unable to buy a home? Thats a failure on you OP.

[-]

prince_walnut@reddit

Born in 84 and I've bought 3 homes, what's stopping you?

[-]

hedwaterboy@reddit

All the downvotes and for what? Because you think it’s bragging? I grew up poor af, literally in a trailer and never went to college.

I can tell you the MAIN reason many of you “couldn’t” afford to buy a house is because you don’t know how to manage your finances and that’s NOT ENTIRELY your fault but at some point, you’re gonna have to start accepting some responsibility for your own life. 🤷‍♂️. Or not, Idgaf, I got mine. $80k in debt when I was 29 to debt free and buying a house at 32.

[-]

edwigenightcups@reddit

I’ve never seen anyone unironically say “fuck you, I got mine” 💀

[-]

hedwaterboy@reddit

Yeah, I’m tired of hearing this bullshit. I’ve tried to help people learn to manage their finances and most of them just flat out WON’T do it, then they go around saying how they can’t do this or that and blaming everybody but themselves. It’s frustrating, to see so many have the potential to have a better life and squander it.

[-]

edwigenightcups@reddit

I mean, maybe they were making fun of you because you are a tool

[-]

hedwaterboy@reddit

Yeah, maybe.

[-]

Danthrax81@reddit

Is this even a question worth considering

[-]

c4mbo@reddit

Before. Cause the possibility of owning a home without moving to the sticks 2 hours away would be realistic.

[-]

red_bird85@reddit

Definitely before.

[-]

OneHumanBill@reddit

Back, but only about five years at most. If I went back 15 I'd be a boomer, and into my 30s by the early 90s.

I don't even know if I'd want to be even that far back. 77 was a great year to be born already.

[-]

bokatan778@reddit

Sure but you’d probably own a large home outright and have a ton of money saved up!

[-]

OneHumanBill@reddit

I did have a house, for twenty years. I sold it, and now have a ton of money saved up.

I don't think I could have done that if I'd been born much later than I was.

[-]

HHSquad@reddit

Nah, you would be a cusper like Xennials .....you'd be part of the Generation Jones cusper between. Think Brat Pack, Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp, that group.

[-]

ass-to-trout12@reddit

Being born in 1969 is infinitely superior to being born in 1999

[-]

Sumeriandawn@reddit

After.

Technology
I’m a minority. It seems race relations are better.

3 . Medical advancements. I’ve got medical problems and less advancements would suck

[-]

Kurfaloid@reddit

Can I still be born in '81 but be 15 years younger now? I don't know, figure it out with tesseracts or something.

[-]

cidvard@reddit

15 years before means born in 1967, which means I'd get my teenage years/early 20s instead of my childhood in the 1980s. I'll take it!

[-]

kinguzoma@reddit

15 years before. To be 15 in the mid 80’s would’ve been epic I think!

[-]

Bakingsquared80@reddit

Yeah I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t say before. They had it much easier

[-]

hip_neptune@reddit

They probably would if they’re LGBTQ.

[-]

Bakingsquared80@reddit

I’m not straight. I’m sure growing up in nyc has an influence on my answer though

[-]

slothbuddy@reddit

Much worse survival rates for cancer as well, smoking everywhere, and the reason I wouldn't choose earlier: https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/117h6n5/generation_lead_by_the_why_axis/

[-]

MittlerPfalz@reddit (OP)

I’ll admit I’m surprised how quick the “before” answers are coming in. I’m torn. Just to remind people of the dark side of before, families still torn apart by Vietnam and culture stuff in early childhood, recession in the ‘70s, HIV in the ‘80s, crappy environmental stuff, the Cold War and threat of nukes…

Like I said I’m still torn on my own answer but there’d definitely be some crap to deal with if we’d been born earlier!

[-]

davisnstewart@reddit

Is it really that surprising? We’ve gone through three recessions within a 20 year period, have lived through the era of school shootings, experienced 9/11 and the war on terror, and are now dealing with the most serious threat to the US democratic system since…. ever?

Those 15 years would make a big difference is quality of life experience.

[-]

DaphneNS@reddit

Same, as a woman I’d have to think carefully about the “before” option.

[-]

literanch@reddit

Fifteen year before, absolutely. Being born in 1983 wasn’t bad, but being born in 1968 would have been far better by nearly every important metric.

[-]

Sparkle8022@reddit

I think I'd rather be born 15 years sooner (1965) than later (1995). I could have been a child before "stranger danger", and a young adult in the 80s which just seemed like a fun time. As it was, I'm glad I was old enough to grow up in a time when school shootings were rare, before 9/11, and before technology took over every aspect of life.

[-]

RVAforthewin@reddit

Def before. I would not want to be starting out adult life in this.

[-]

oneeweflock@reddit

Definitely before.

[-]

Sofagirrl79@reddit

As an autistic woman being born in '94 instead of '79 I could have had more support and better treatment for my autism instead of that shitty "neurological issues" diagnosis I got in the mid 80s ,also my parents would have had a leg up financially since they were really struggling,I was the first born and they were only 22

OTOH being born in '64 I'm not sure if my life would have been easier or even harder,I can say if I was born in '94 I would have been subjected to more bullying on the Internet cause even when I was bullied in Middle school the Internet wasn't really a thing from '91-94' during those years and I had an escape after school along with being born in '64 🤔

[-]

catsoncrack420@reddit

Before. Always before. Economics

[-]

ThroughtonsHeirYT@reddit

A genX

[-]

donnadoctor@reddit

After because of my medical issues.

[-]

MittlerPfalz@reddit (OP)

Definitely, there have been so many developments in medicine that we would miss out on being born earlier.

[-]

Golden1881881@reddit

Didn’t think of this. I wouldn’t have a left leg if I was born 15 years earlier.

[-]

arcxjo@reddit

Before. Would've had a career and shit.

[-]

Shane-O-Mac1@reddit

DEFINITELY 15 years before, I'd much rather be Gen X than Gen Z.

[-]

StandardAd239@reddit

Dang, really never realized that one of the most positive things in my life is to have been born the year I was.

If I were to change it, at most 5 years earlier. Not later by even a second.

[-]

Jonestown_Juice@reddit

Before. 100 percent.

[-]

GlitteringHotMess@reddit

15 yrs before, no question.

[-]

Jets237@reddit

Before. Would have put in the same effort but would have 2x the net worth atleast…

[-]

ManWhoTalksToHisHand@reddit

Before. I'd be just the right age to enjoy the golden age of East Bay punk, Riot Grrl, and Seattle Grunge as well as see some great 80's bands while they were still in their prime.

[-]

jackfaire@reddit

After. Things I was into weren't for kids and losers. My hobbies were all mainstream

[-]

Burntout-Philosopher@reddit

15 years before. I'd have been born in 1960. Could have actually enjoyed the 70s. Maybe seen some of my favorite bands before music died. Enjoyed free love and not only heard of it wistfully. Maybe I'd get aids but also a good chance I'd love to see the treatments for it available nowadays. With full foresight, definitely before.

[-]

Ok-Necessary123@reddit

Before I would rather be pushing 60 and having my kids be older as well. I don’t like where we are at now for a variety of things. I enjoyed the 90s but have not enjoyed where the world is headed in the past decade and what the next decade may look like any beyond. I wish I didn’t have to fear what is coming and AI killing my job before I make it to 50

[-]

Ossevir@reddit

100% before. I have no faith in what is coming next and it would have been great to be an established lawyer well before 2000.

[-]

Old_Association6332@reddit

Probably 15 years before. Would have loved to experience the 80s as a teenager/young adult and spent the subsequent decade of my adult life in the '90s'

[-]

WeathermanOnTheTown@reddit

I dunno. The rise of wifi/Zoom/remote work plus technological changes in my field have made soooo many good changes possible for me. I had to wait until my 40s for these changes to arrive, and I would rather have encountered them earlier.

Also, the pop music from 2010 to 2014 was outstanding, and it would've been nice to have been a bit younger for it. I had to go to The 1975 concert alone because I couldn't find one other person my own age who knew or liked them.

[-]

misterlakatos@reddit

I'd rather be born in 1970 than 2000.

Could have experienced the '70s as a kid
Would have been old enough to remember all of the '80s (would have started high school then, attended concerts, etc).
Would have been in undergrad in the late '80s/early '90s as the Cold War was winding down and ultimately ending.

I think all in all it would have been far more fascinating. I can picture myself watching NBC Thursday nights with my parents before meeting up with some friends in 1984-85.

[-]

GustavSnapper@reddit

Before. I’d own like 30 homes by now

[-]

GDRaptorFan@reddit

BEFORE

I choose my current timeline without a doubt (kid in the 80s, teen and college in the 90s, fucking perfect). Kids now don’t know the world they missed out on but I know!

[-]

larryb78@reddit

Definitely before - I have to imagine growing up in the 60’s would’ve been way more enjoyable then being a 90’s/00’s kid

[-]

Sweet-Sale-7303@reddit

15 earlier. Even though I like being born in 81.

[-]

mackattacknj83@reddit

After. Don't send me back in time one fucking second

[-]

beck33ers@reddit

100% before! No question!

[-]

HowToNotMakeMoney@reddit

Nah. I’m good.

[-]

CityofPhear@reddit

Before hands down. I went to college from 2004-2010 when they jacked up prices exponentially. Would’ve loved to go when it was still somewhat affordable for a normal lower middle class dude

[-]

symonym7@reddit

+15, if for no reason other than that’d make my parents elder GenX vs elder Boomer.

[-]

playfulwarning@reddit

Fifteen years before. I wouldn’t mind being in my late twenties/early thirties during the nineties.

[-]

Drakeytown@reddit

Later, just so I could be 15 years younger!

[-]

onions-make-me-cry@reddit

15 years after, I don't want to be any older than I am. It's not looking so good.

[-]

pit_of_despair666@reddit

I would say back in time rather than forward because the future looks rather dismal at the moment.

[-]

polygonalopportunist@reddit

Maybe after, health stuff has improved a lot in 15 years. Who knows where it would end up in say, 2099?

[-]

the-big-pill@reddit

Definitely after because I don’t want to know what happens

[-]

sloppypickles@reddit

15 before easily. Still would have missed Vietnam. Music was better. Wages more fair. I'd be able to afford a house right now probably.

[-]

ForeignCow8547@reddit

Obviously backwards. Every time

[-]

UnavailableName864@reddit

Gay, so obviously after. Glad I own a house but gladder I didn't deal with what my elders went through.

[-]

Rint3ah@reddit

I’m from 84. Definitely 15 years before. Although 15 years after would mean I’m younger haha.

[-]

atari2600forever@reddit

Before because then I could be done with this shit

[-]

LMurch13@reddit

Back. I wouldn't want to miss the 90s.

[-]

DesdemonaDestiny@reddit

The further from Boomer I am the better, therefore 15 years later.

[-]

blknble@reddit

After 100%

I appreciate technological advances we have made. I appreciate that it's a whole lot safer for queer people at +15 rather than -15. Safety standards and quality of life in 1963 versus 1993? No contest.

We still went through all the things that people born at +15 have, we were just more aware and responsible for a lot of them.

[-]

jasonmoyer@reddit

Before since the point where everything started getting consistently worse over time coincided with my infancy.

[-]

jayne-eerie@reddit

Definitely before. The ‘80s weren’t perfect, but they seem like a way better time to be a teenager/young adult than the 2010s.

[-]

_6siXty6_@reddit

Before.

79 here. Would love to have been born in 60s.

[-]

GrungeCheap56119@reddit

Before. Less drama than today's world.

[-]

Hairy_Ad4969@reddit

After. Then I’d only be 30. And I wouldn’t have had to go to Iraq in 2003 and then Afghanistan in 2004.

[-]

Intrepid_Elk_4351@reddit

Before. Born in 1963 means coming of age in the 1970s...hell yeah. And college education was dirt cheap. You could work a summer job and pay for at least one semester of college.

[-]

Edlo9596@reddit

Before. Just the thought of buying a house in 2001-2002…

[-]

CMarlowe@reddit

Before, and it's not even close. I can't imagine the horror of growing up with social media. That's why these Zoomer kids are so so so screwed up.

[-]

mtmtnmike@reddit

I’d be 60 and that much closer to retirement? I’ll take it. As long as my kids are also 15 years older. I couldn’t do an 8 and 6 year old at 60.

[-]

bikeonychus@reddit

15 years before.

I thought bullying was bad enough before the internet became popular. Now, with Social Media, you can never escape the bullies, and they now have cameras too. I am genuinely terrified for my kid when she reaches highschool.

[-]

Tough-Marsupial-6254@reddit

Earlier, because fuck this current timeline

[-]

witblacktype@reddit

15 years before

[-]

aenflex@reddit

Before.

[-]

Booger_Picnic@reddit

Before. I can't imagine being a younger person now that things are so much harder when they were supposed to get easier.

[-]

mesosuchus@reddit

I rather exist simultaneously throughout all of time.

[-]

Oomlotte99@reddit

I guess before. I wouldn’t want to be born in 2000 so I have to say 1970.

[-]

HamOnTheCob@reddit

66 or 96… hmm I’d go 96 I think. Being neurodivergent would’ve sucked less

[-]

ahoypolloi_@reddit

This should tell us a lot about which users are straight white men

[-]

Typical-Human-Thing@reddit

Before. Screw technology and the "kids" just a couple years older than me are financially way better off.

[-]

are_you_scared_yet@reddit

Before. The internet messed me up when I was young. I would've been better off without it.

[-]

Neat_Guest_00@reddit

This is a tough question.

From a social perceptive, definitely 15 years earlier (there is no way you could convince me that going through high school with IG is not literal hell) BUT since I’m starting to have issues with my mortality, I wouldn’t mind adding an extra 15 years to my life span now.

[-]

schoolisuncool@reddit

15 before, so I could’ve lived through the big hair rock era

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sarahprib56@reddit

1965 feels like such a different era than 1995. Idk. Why does it feel like there is such a fundamental difference? I definitely would have liked to remember more of the 80s I guess.

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DeterminedErmine@reddit

Anyone picking 15 years after isn’t sane

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ehfrehneh@reddit

I'm good where I'm at.

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cantwejustplaynice@reddit

15 years before. I'd be on the edge of retirement now with a house paid fully paid for. On the flip side I might be angry and confused at world we have today like so many Gen Xers. Maybe 15 years later? I'd be in my early 30s now and my body wouldn't hurt. And I'd still be angry at the world, but for different reasons. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

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LineImpossible3958@reddit

Guess I’m headed to 1964. My uncles had a lot of fun in the 80s and 90s. Think of all the real estate and good jobs you could get.

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mocitymaestro@reddit

15 years earlier. The 70s had some awesome music. I would've been old enough to hear a lot of it in real time.

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vintage82-@reddit

Before

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Emotional_Warthog658@reddit

Neither - I am good where we are compared to those options 😬

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CookieTX2022@reddit

Welll I’m an 81 baby, so 15 years before would put me in the 60s and I don’t know about being that far back lol. I do wish sometimes I was born between 5-10 years earlier so I could have been a teenager in the 80s vs. early childhood like I was. I love 80s movies. I don’t really remember the early 80s because I was a baby but definitely have great memories of the late 80s as a 6-9 year old.

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jjj666jjj666jjj@reddit

After. I want longer to live.

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frustratedComments@reddit

When I was little I always said to myself “I wish I was born in the 50s.” But I could never explain why. Still can’t. Feel like I wasn’t born for this time period. Always felt disconnected.

Then I found out 2 years ago I have Autism. So I guess that explains my feelings.

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Grouchy-Substance190@reddit

Before... and its not even close.

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Sunshineal@reddit

15 years after

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Responsible-Ad-8009@reddit

Before. Could have had a chance to own a house…

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1920MCMLibrarian@reddit

15 for sure. The 80’s were super prosperous and then you get to be an entitled boomer with a pension and a million dollar house you bought for $60k

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Lilith_Christine@reddit

Can we choose not at all?

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townie77@reddit

15 before. That would put me in 1944. I would have gone to Vietnam. 15 after. I would have very little to my name. So 1959 is just fine by me.

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karenobus@reddit

You may be lost

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HHSquad@reddit

We're cuspers also in Generation Jones, so we get feeling between. My connection with Xennials.I was born in 1961.

I would stay right there born then 😉

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Due-Set5398@reddit

R/genjones

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MittlerPfalz@reddit (OP)

Interesting response but I think you’re in the wrong sub!

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DrSheetzMTO@reddit

Being born in 1964…college in 1983? That sounds sweet. My life is like that in Revenge of the Nerds and Porkys? Niiiiiiiiiice.

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the-cookie-momster@reddit

After. No question. Video games are awesome, but also a lot of advances have been made with respect to civil rights, women's health and education generally, and medicine.

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Bluevanonthestreet@reddit

Before! Give me those house prices and university tuition.

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MinnieCastavets@reddit

Before, though I do fear getting type 1 diabetes before there were at-home glucose meters.

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Lucky_Louch@reddit

before, sure I'd be a hated boomer but I'd probably have a house and a nice pension to retire on instead of paying 2k a month for a shitty apartment and having a 401k that will prob be obsolete when I need it.

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HHSquad@reddit

Generation Jones cuspers are just as legitimate as Xennials. That's what you would be.

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Gullible-Apricot3379@reddit

I don't know... This may be a case of the evil I know vs the one I don't, but I think after.

If I were born in 1964, I'd probably remember some of the turbulence of the late 60s, I don't think the 70s were great years, I'd be entering the work force in the age of shoulder pads, I wouldn't have had the career I have. I probably would have voted for Reagan in 1984. I'd have experienced the height of the AIDS scare while I was in college...

Born in 1994 means I would have been 7 during the 9-11 attacks. I wouldn't have a sense of what changed. I would have experienced the 2008 recession as a 14-year-old, so unless it hit my parents differently than it actually did, I'm not sure I would have even noticed it. I'd still have my 30s mostly ahead of me now. When I was in my 30s, I didn't have any real expectation of buying a house (that happened when I was 42) so I'd call that a wash. I've never had an expectation that I'd be able to retire.

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GeetarEnthusiast85@reddit

Before. I could get into my field before it took off and became oversaturated. Enjoy more shared experiences, a slower pace of life. See my favorite bands while they're in their primes and concert ticket prices are reasonable. Catch my favorite movies when they were new and first released. Buy a decent home for cheap.

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iheartnjdevils@reddit

Before, so I could afford to buy a home.

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IslandGrover@reddit

Before. This fucking administration is destroying any chance of a peaceful career, but 15 years earlier and I could retire right now and live peacefully with my weird gen alpha kids and beautiful xennial wife.

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bargman@reddit

Before. Would have been great to be in my early/mid-20s with all the 80s music.

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Equivalent_Pace4301@reddit

As a gay man it’s tough because it’s not looking good today but going backwards means I have to live a lie to stay employed and deal with the aids crisis killing everyone I care about

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Drcornelius1983@reddit

Before, give me those good years. I’ll take as much ore 9/11 as I can get.

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StillhasaWiiU@reddit

I don't think the technology and culture jump for being older would have made my life much different, but being younger would have been a very different life.

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MittlerPfalz@reddit (OP)

So what conclusion does that lead you to then? Are you seeing the technology and culture change as a positive and choosing after?

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StillhasaWiiU@reddit

They were positive until about 2006/2007. Being a young person now looks like the opposite of a good time. But I'll take that over being in my 60s now. So I guess I'd choose to be younger, knowing it's a BD deal.

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Fearless-Fart@reddit

Definitely not before. Being a woman, I don't think going to college and getting into the industry I'm in would have been as easy. And I would be more pressured to get married to an asshole and have kids. My mom had me at 17 so knowing how her life was, no thanks.

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Peanut083@reddit

As much as I’m glad that I didn’t have to be a female growing up through the ‘70s and ‘80s, I’d go before over after. It would have been cool to experience some of the cultural and socal stuff first-hand.

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fromthedarqwaves@reddit

Before! I remember the 80s but I didn’t really live the 80s. And it would have been nice to see the 70s.

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HHSquad@reddit

The 70's was a blast as a kid and teen.

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Ok_Researcher_9796@reddit

After. I love technology. I would hate to have to wait until my 30s or 40s for computers to get good.

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TechnicalEntry@reddit

Before would have been more exciting IMO. Seeing it from the beginning would have been rad.

I was big in to computers pretty early, goofing around with Commodore VIC 20 and the 64 and then PCs. And it was just so much more exciting back then, despite the fact they were so limited.

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MittlerPfalz@reddit (OP)

A good point. I think right now our generation benefits from being almost “digital natives.” It’s a great advantage over those who are older than us.

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Munchkin531@reddit

Oh definitely before! I'm actually 13 years older than my brother and it was awful for him growing up. I'd rather ge an elder Gen Xer. Getting to have more time growing up without technology sounds amazing.

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PercentageRoutine310@reddit

Before even it means I’m turning 60 this year.

I want to be an adult in the fucking 80s and do tons of cocaine, having unprotected sex with women with tons of hairspray, and have RATT’s “Round and Round” blasting in the background.

https://i.redd.it/pej3lbdh1gmf1.gif

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Stunning_Radio3160@reddit

Before. That would put me born in the late 60s, but childhood would have been in 70s and 80s… I’m ok with that.

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NoAnnual3259@reddit

I guess 15 years before but I’ve heard high school in the late 70s to early 80s was pretty wild but rough. Would’ve got to seen the whole transition from Dazed and Confused to Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

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HHSquad@reddit

That's about right......I was born in '61 and pretty much everything you said applies.

It was great seeing classic rock bands at their peak while they were relatively young with living members, and also be on the early ground floor while R.E.M. was still playing 60's covers, and The Replacements, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Pixies were just getting started

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DirtyBirdDawg@reddit

15 years earlier. Being born in 1965 means I would have graduated in 1983. That means I would have been in college in the 80s (fuck yeah) and come out of college into an improving job market.

Plus, no cellphones or social media? Sign me up

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AquaValentin@reddit

Before. I think I would’ve enjoyed the 90’s more if I was in my 30’s.

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Siphoneder@reddit

After. There is a good chance we will be the last generation to not have our brains backed up digitally to essentially live forever.

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v0t3p3dr0@reddit

Before by a mile.

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ThemanfromNumenor@reddit

15 before. My profession (corporate attorney) was far more lucrative and less competitive 15 years ago. Not to mention the real estate potential

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LaughingGlastigg@reddit

Before.

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RaphaelSolo@reddit

Honestly I don't see bein born in '67 being particularly helpful to me in anyway. At the same time I don't think 97 is any better.

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Roland-Of-Eld-19@reddit

Hell yeah I would hit the 80s thrash concerts

gif

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kamandamd128@reddit

Knee jerk reaction was minus 15 but thought about it for 5 more minutes and now I think being born in 1992 would’ve been closer to a sweet spot. I’d have entered the post-college job market long enough after the Great Recession that it didn’t have a huge negative impact. Then getting to enjoy most of my twenties before Covid happened and everything got enShit-ified. I’d still rather live in my real timeline but don’t think being 33 now would be a bad thing. I’d hit my age now when hopefully things will have turned around in the U.S. (emphasis on hopefully).

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lasher7628@reddit

15 years before. If I graduated university right at the beginning of the 1990s as opposed straight into the gaping maw of the Great Recession, I think my life would have been notably different.

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Background_Hat964@reddit

Before for sure.

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General-Reserve9349@reddit

Who the hell would want to be a Y2K baby?

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chicacherrie82@reddit

Before, without a doubt. I always think about how I am glad I grew up before the ubiquitousness of social media. Sure we went in chatrooms and message boards and on AIM, but it was all very removed from daily life. My teenage failures and stupidity and clique fights and crushes and relationships weren't immortalized online.

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mid_1990s_death_doom@reddit

15 years older so I can see all the good heavy metal bands play! Maybe be in one myself!

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bgva@reddit

Before. I'd love to have consumed our early-to-mid-80s entertainment in real time. Could've bought a house - maybe a condo - for 100K.

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Mike__O@reddit

I'm an airline pilot by profession. I started flying in the Air Force before getting out in '18. My timing was about as good as I could possibly hope for in terms of getting hired by a major airline.

15 years earlier would have still been in the post 9/11 hiring freeze, then the age 65 mandatory retirement increase, then the 2008 economic crash. I weathered all of that shit in the Air Force.

15 years later, who knows where things will be. The hiring environment in the late 20teens was abnormally good, and may never be as good again. I'll take what I can get.

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Healthy-Neat-2989@reddit

I’d say before, except I’m a Type 1 Diabetic, and that shit was way harder before pumps and continuous glucose monitors… so maybe after..

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Longjumping-Air1489@reddit

Before. It would have been great to start working before it all went to shit.

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timshel_turtle@reddit

After. As hard as times are now, a lot of people in my family had even less then and the women got beat up a lot.

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Soft-Performer5097@reddit

15 years before I was born because I've always been curious how my life would be if I had been born earlier. I'd hope to have the option to return to my proper timeline if I don't like the results.

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ElDaderino823@reddit

15 before and it’s not even close

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CaptPotter47@reddit

15 years before would have been ‘67. That’s growing up in a world that is still without computers.

I see how people born in the 60s struggle today. I wouldn’t want that. Seeing them deal with super high smoking and alcoholism rates, with divorce super commonplace, no never.

15 years after would be 97. Those kids have grown up with the technology firmly implanted. And assuming their parents aren’t completed doofuses, are getting along fine. They know about the dangers of smoking, alcohol; they are waiting till they are more settled to have get married and have kids.

I have 2 siblings born when I was much older, ‘99 and ‘00 and sometimes I’m a bit jealous because they didn’t go throw the struggles of the weird growing up in school and with tech that we had.

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MittlerPfalz@reddit (OP)

A good argument in favor of “after.”

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One-Earth9294@reddit

I'd rather be 15 years younger, all things considered. I'd be 30 now. Sounds nice.

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Jenaaaaaay@reddit

Me too!

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One-Earth9294@reddit

Also if I was 15 years older, I'd be looking at a lot of the innovations coming out now very jealous that I had to wait until so late in life to enjoy them. Like the voice activation in my car. Or AI. Or damn near true to life video game graphics. Or electric lawnmowers.

I'd be 60 now. The only real upside I see is that I could've skated by financially on a much easier trajectory, and I would have had fewer guardrails on my childhood. Other than that? Nah.

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cromulent_verbage@reddit

I'd choose before, without hesitation, and set my future self up.

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Curiousone_78@reddit

After, to be born in 1993.

Before would've been 1963 and not being 100% white I would have endured more racism than I already have.

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MittlerPfalz@reddit (OP)

Totally fair.

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averageduder@reddit

Being born in 67 would have me in college in the late 80s early 90s which seems like the best time to be in college and the best time to take advantage of an economy about to go nuts.

Think I’d be completely economically fucked if I were born in 97.

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deltadawn6@reddit

15 years after. I think coming out would have been easier.

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Throw-away17465@reddit

BEFORE, hands down, no question, contest over.

I’d be only a few years younger than Scully! And maybe catch a Jeff Buckley show. I would dominate early (and now outdated) tech.

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Junior_Mixture5645@reddit

15 years after, so I would be closer in age to a really attractive friend. Plus, I'd rather be 32 than 62.

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Mournhold_mushroom@reddit

Before. The music was better, homes were affordable, and it wasn’t as difficult to start a career with “only” a college degree.

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lopingwolf@reddit

Before, no question.

My folks had met by then so it's not out of the possibilities I'd still be me. They met in '67, married in '77, I'm an 80's baby but I think they'd still have been good parents. And I'm glad I grew up pre phone-in-hand and pre-internet.

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lopingwolf@reddit

This is also a very fun question because one of my best friends is my age and the baby of the family. Her oldest sister is 14 years older. So we've definitely considered this and discussed it with Sister.

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GateDeep3282@reddit

As an OG Gen X person (1965) I'm pretty happy with the life experiences I've had. My kids are Xenials or millennials and they've had challenges I've never had a problem with.

No internet until I was in my late 20s was a blessing.

I kinda feel like things peaked in the 90's.

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aubreypizza@reddit

Before for sure. We’re on a crash course now but I’m glad I had at least 40 years of relative normality. I feel bad for kids bro g born now.

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OkBiscotti1140@reddit

Before. Mostly for my kid’s sake. It’s so hard to be a kid right now. There’s no freedom.

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Global-Jury8810@reddit

That’s not an easy question…be born in 1968 or 1998? Much of the entertainment that I like comes from generation X, which is what 1968 would be. If I were born in 1998, I’d be a solid Zillenial and probably more accustomed to modern technology and today’s employment climate.

Hard choice.

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FatReverend@reddit

Before! and its not even close. I could spend 15 years more in a better world or 15 more in a collapsing one, before is an easy choice.

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star_b_nettor@reddit

Before.

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mimebenetnasch02@reddit

before

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ipsumdeiamoamasamat@reddit

Fifteen years earlier. My field has taken a big dump in the past 20 years since I graduated from college.

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JollyJeanGiant83@reddit

Before - less climate change, better economy, etc.

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Character_Parking930@reddit

Before. I honestly don’t think I would’ve survived high school if social media was around when I was a teen.

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Content_Talk_6581@reddit

Before. Then I could have seen Led Zeppelin in concert. I could have gone with my cousins in Santa Rosa to see them. I also would have gone to high school in one of the best schools in the San Francisco area and maybe even gotten to go to college for free. Damn I missed out on so much!!

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GazelleRare1657@reddit

Thats a surprisingly difficult question, kudos!

I feel like I identify better with the +15 group. -15 certainly has a tougher go of things, but to be in my 20's again is hard to pass up.

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CuriousLands@reddit

I'd say before. Socially I feel there are issues on both ends, but at least if I was born 15 years earlier I'd probably own a house and whatnot.

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mattinglys-moustache@reddit

The obvious answer is before, the 90’s seem like maybe the best time ever to be a young adult, lot of opportunities but before the price of everything went crazy.

But on the other hand elder Gen-X people seem to be the grumpiest of all, even more so than boomers, so maybe there’s more to it than we know.

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kalitarios@reddit

probably 15 years before. the reason is, I went and re-visited my old schools and town about 15 years ago with my then partner, and it looks like a "pretty-looking correctional facility" - I'd hate to be a kid growing up and having to go through the system today, everything being online and everything on camera. No parties like we used to have, no fights without people getting arrested or put online. No thank you.

I'd rather go to a time of even more self-governing than this "safe" system kids go through today. Granted there are some good medical advancements, but for the most part, I'd take more self-reliance over the helicopter-parent era of school in the 2005+ range

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singleguy79@reddit

After. Be a kid in the 90s, teens in the 2000s.

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a_little_hazel_nuts@reddit

Would I rather be 57 or 27. I'll go with 27, I know it's tough right now in the job market and if I went to college and graduated at 22, that would have been during the covid pandemic, maybe I would have gotten a job. But I would be 27. Yeah, I dunno, that's a tough question.

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Do_it_My_Way-79@reddit

100% before. Never a doubt.

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worksnake@reddit

Before, absolutely before.