The older generation has heard “Okay, Boomer” one too many times. 

Instead of employing the usual strategies of mentally shutting down, pathological issue avoidance, and unintelligible yelling, older relatives across the United States are expanding their horizons. 

One uncle from Long Island, Carl Tucker, told Flipside he deleted social media and now enjoys a diverse mix of broadcast TV, podcasts, and print news to truly understand the wide spectrum of perspectives.

Tucker said, “I’ve realized that educating myself is the best way to fight polarization both within the family and the country at large.”

Another uncle from the greater Boston area, Hank Sean, is taking the epiphany even further. He attended his first gay pride parade and has been vegan for three months. Last week, Sean even joined Antifa accidentally, but decided to stick with it. 

“I was surprised that I really connected with their mission of anti-fascism,” said Sean. “I’m planning to organize an anti-racism seminar for my nieces after Thanksgiving dinner and a climate summit for the adults.”

Gen Z nephews, nieces, and niblings everywhere are confused by this turn of events. Said one TikTok influencer, “I really couldn’t believe my ears when my uncle started quoting Elizabeth Warren at the dinner table. I don’t know how to process anything he says when he’s sober and speaking with his indoor voice.”

Experts are urging young people not to get too comfortable. Social psychologist Dr. Dewey Downer warns that this trend is in no way supported by scientific projections and could be the greatest societal anomaly in human history.