Life in the Afternoon

Do you ever wonder why we boomers did not fulfil the promise of the 1960s and create a world of peace and love, free from war and poverty? Being more realistic, maybe you are curious simply about why our generation does not donate more to worthwhile causes or spend more time volunteering. It turns out that a good number of us are not particularly altruistic, and many of us feel we have enough trouble taking care of ourselves without worrying about other people. And have you pondered why the organic food generation, whose politics are even identified by our “crunchy granola” breakfast, is not in better health? Apparently, a significant number of us believe a diet of cigars and scotch is the path to longevity and would cite as proof George Burns at 100 years of age. These stereotype busters, and many more, are found in Michael Adams’s latest book, Stayin’ Alive: How Canadian Baby Boomers Will Work, Play and Find Meaning in the Second Half of Their Adult...