I’m in Australia, doinga lot of generational work. I always try and pick up the latest local writing on generations, talent and management. Last time I was here, I got “What Was It All For” (see review here). This time, my eye as drawn to bright yellow cover, and in-your-face title by Ryan Heath, “Please Just F*ck Off: it’s our turn now.” This 25-year old journalist, now working and living in London, has written an impassioned appeal to his generation (born after 1970, he refuses to succomb to giving them a label).

See the book at the Publisher’s website: http://www.plutoaustralia.com/p1/default.asp?pageId=352.

Its a Millennial’s rant about Boomers in Australia, and what needs to happen get Aussie to be globally competitive. I have only just started reading it, and seems to be well written with a strong message. More on this one later. (See Publisher’s review below)


From the Publisher’s blurb:

Australia watch out! This is a snapshot of the generational change that is coming.
A call to generational battle not seen since the 1960s.

Ryan Heath, a twenty five year old writes about his generation – young people in their twenties who he says are very different to Baby Boomers and Generation X.

His book is a sexy snapshot of the people born after 1970 – the people of this century. How they are different, special and ready to take over from Baby Boomers.

Like many of his generation, Ryan Heath has had a gutful of the same bunch of boomers still hogging all the good jobs and holding Australia back. He says: Enough is enough – it’s time for a generational change or Australia will slide into decline.

In a style that is controversial, passionate and with humour, this is an enjoyable and provocative read in the tradition of Mike Moore. A must read for Generation Y and X but also for Boomers who will love to hate Heath’s criticisms and mockery of them.

He pulls no punches when it comes to Aussie sacred cows and institutions – Fairfax, the ABC, and the ALP particularly.

Ryan asserts that his generation is very different to boomers and X’s. They may be smaller in number but are more diverse, better educated, more socially responsible, switched on to new technologies and believe in working through networks rather than hierarchies. He believes they have what it takes to make Australia a better place.

Ryan says Australia is moribund and stultified with superannuated leaders arguing over outdated orthodoxies while business, media, culture and political parties sag under the weight of tired methods and ideas recycled from the 70s and 80s.

According to Ryan Heath, Australian public life has ignored the energy and ideas of younger people leading to mediocrity and decline here, and an exodus of hundreds of thousands of talented young people like himself to take up opportunities overseas, where younger people are given positions of responsibility, and where generations share more fairly.

Ryan Heath has been involved in grass roots campaigns (the Republic, refugees, end to student fees), and whas orked for ALP politicians and is now working as a public servant. He lives in London.

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