There has been much consternation about the numerous campus demonstrations recently, which are largely an emotional reaction to the brutality in Gaza.

For a comparison of demonstrations over time, let’s call them the Boomer demonstrations and Gen-Z demonstrations. The Boomer demonstrations started in the US and spread worldwide. The Gen-Z demonstrations started in the Mideast and spread worldwide.

During the Boomer demonstrations, young Americans railed against dying in a rice paddy, so that rich Americans could become richer. During the Gen-Z demonstrations, young people rail against the unequal distribution of wealth and the unequal distribution of death fighting against it.

Boomer demonstrations were more intense, as they involved the deaths of American boys. Gen-Z demonstrations are more heartbreaking, however, as photos of suffering children flood us.

Religion is important in the Gen-Z demonstrations but was relatively unimportant in the Boomer demonstrations.

Having reviewed film footage of both types, I have a few totally unscientific observations. First, I think Boomer demonstrations had greater male representation, were slightly older, and slightly more angry, while Gen-Z demonstrations had less male representation, were slightly younger, and slightly more indignation than anger.

There’s a difference between indignation and anger. The Gen-Z demonstrations have plenty of indignation but not as much anger as the Boomer demonstrations. Therefore, I expect the Gen-Z demonstrations will fade away relatively soon. A violent putdown by police, which is a threat to the First Amendment, would be a mistake. The Gen-Z protestors will simply burn-out on their own!

The thoughts, opinions, and emotions expressed herein are those of the writer, Jim Flinchum, alone and do not necessarily reflect those of Bay Capital, its officers or employees.