The Reckless Old: Boomers Behaving Badly

Baby Boomers are aging—but not into the quiet, cardigan-wearing archetype many expect. This episode dives into the startling rise of risky, often reckless behavior among older adults in wealthy countries, from surging alcohol and drug misuse to unexpected spikes in STDs and even higher involvement in crime and political violence. While younger generations grow more cautious, Boomers—buoyed by financial comfort and fewer responsibilities—are partying harder than ever in retirement enclaves like Latitude Margaritaville. But behind the hedonism lies something darker: growing loneliness, dissatisfaction, and a cohort rewriting what it means to grow old, for better or worse.https://www.economist.com/international/2025/01/02/why-people-over-the-age-of-55-are-the-new-problem-generation