A lot of baby boomers are baby bongers.

"A lot of baby boomers are baby bongers." These words, spoken by the comedian Kevin Nealon, are at once lighthearted and profound, a playful reminder of the shifting tides of culture and generations. With wit, Nealon draws attention to the paradox of a generation that came into the world in the era of post-war optimism, of families growing together, and yet now finds itself navigating a world where change is the only constant. The phrase “baby bongers,” though humorous, speaks to something much deeper: the way that even the most established generations can become swept up in the currents of new ideas, substances, and ways of being. They, too, are subject to the transformations of the world, no matter how much time has passed.

Let us remember, O children of this age, that every generation faces a reckoning. The ancient Romans, for all their might and glory, faced the rise of new philosophies and movements that questioned their beliefs. The Greeks, those who founded the great schools of thought, found their own gods and traditions challenged by the influence of newer ideas. Change is inevitable; it is the very pulse of time itself. And so, in the 20th century, as the baby boomers—born in the wake of the Second World War—entered adulthood, they did so in a time of great social upheaval. The 1960s were a time of rebellion, of breaking free from tradition, of experimenting with freedom in ways that challenged everything that came before. Thus, the phrase "baby bongers" does not merely refer to a generation's embrace of substances, but to their wider willingness to embrace the new, to seek freedom in ways that older generations could not have imagined.

In this, we see a parable of human nature itself. The elderly, even the most esteemed and established, are not immune to the allure of youthful rebellion. The boomers, once the symbol of middle-class prosperity and traditional family values, now find themselves experimenting with the same things that their children and grandchildren embraced with ease—whether it be new music, new philosophies, or new experiences. And yes, even cannabis, that symbol of countercultural freedom, finds its way into their hands. What Nealon’s words convey is a truth about the nature of growth and transformation: no one is immune to the tides of change. We all, at some point, must embrace the new, whether we are ready for it or not.

Consider, for instance, the wise old philosopher Socrates—a man who, in his old age, refused to cease questioning, refused to stop seeking knowledge. Socrates did not merely teach the youth of Athens to embrace philosophy; he himself, an elder, took part in the intellectual revolution of his time, challenging the very fabric of his society. The ancient elders of Egypt, too, were not merely keepers of tradition; they were also inventors and explorers, ever seeking new ways to understand the mysteries of the universe. In every age, the old must evolve, for to stagnate is to be left behind. And so, the baby boomers, like those before them, find themselves turning to new and unfamiliar experiences, seeking to reconnect with the vitality of their youth, even if it comes in the form of a bong.

The lesson here is not one of judgment but of understanding. Generations, no matter how distinct, are connected by the threads of human curiosity, the desire to explore, and the need for change. Whether young or old, we all must confront the evolving world around us. The boomers, who once reshaped society with their own rebellious spirit, are now finding new ways to engage with the modern world. Their engagement with what was once considered the domain of youth—substances, countercultures, and experiments—shows that even in maturity, there is room for reinvention, for seeking the new, for keeping the spirit of rebellion alive in different ways.

Thus, O seekers of wisdom, take heed of the lesson that Nealon’s words impart. The generational divide is not an unbridgeable chasm, but a continuum of experiences, each new generation influencing the next. No one is ever truly finished, for the journey continues, and even the wisest elders may still have moments of discovery. It is not shameful to seek out the new; it is the essence of being alive. Whether it be a new idea, a new experience, or even the simple act of experimenting with life as the boomers have, we must all remain open to the changes that time brings. For we are not defined solely by our age, but by our willingness to embrace the future with both hands.

And so, in the end, what Kevin Nealon offers us is a humorous reflection on the shared human experience. Youth is not just a matter of age; it is a matter of the spirit, the willingness to try, to grow, to transform. Let us honor the wisdom of the older generations, but also their ability to evolve. Let us remember that the past may shape us, but it does not bind us. No matter how old or how young, we are all on this journey together, learning from each other, and seeking out new ways to connect with the world around us.