An interesting side note to the generational change theme is in movies. Currently there appears to be a growing backlash against dark serious movies. Specifically, against movies that take an iconic character and make them darker and more serious. I'm pulling this from the comments on various Sci-Fi and nerd blogs I follow. There was a rather large group of people who disliked the new Superman movie (Man of Steel) because it was too dark. This criticism even included his actual Superman outfit. "Not enough color" were in a lot of comments.
Criticism of this movie type seems to have increased with the upcoming Batman vs. Superman and the new X-Men movie. I have seen complaints that the Batman vs. Superman is too dark and that people are happy some of the X-Men are ditching the black leather suits for more comic inspired and colored suits (which could get absurd if they go too far).
I don't entirely agree, which isn't surprising given my Gen Xness. I have disliked Superman forever. He is too good, too unrealistic, and too powerful (no villain can possibly threaten him, so boring stories). However, I was ok with the movie. I guess the slight darkness, and it is slight, made the Gen X in me more tolerant of a character I dislike.
Another demonstration of my Gen Xness is that I never thought the X-Men movies went dark enough with Wolverine or Storm.
All of this seems to match the Strauss and Howe model. Of course, there is always the danger this is just a more advanced horoscope "prediction" that is more entertaining than fact.
@Jenny
I find it interesting how much you seem to like the Art of Manliness considering your staunch feminism. Of course, the site/podcast by no means talks down to women and has decent content, so maybe not a huge surprise. Maybe just the initial time risk of trying out the site is where it's surprising.