That, at any rate, is the caricature, especially after the Occupy protest of 2014 and the subsequent Mong Kok riot. A counter-debate is making the rounds in local social media. One popular thread, titled “Hong Kong is really screwed by the post-60s and 70s”, on the popular chat site lihkg.com, has gathered hundreds of responses in just one day:

“These are the people (post-60s and post-70s) who should have taken the lead in fighting, negotiating and making demands from the government. Many of them now lead Hong Kong, control its money, politics and have all the power. They also have the political wisdom, experience and professional expertise – those most suited and capable of fighting for Hong Kong.

“But all I see are the post-60 and 70s who have made enough money so they fold their arms and don’t give a damn if Hong Kong self-destructs. Or they are either salarymen who are completely apolitical or those blue-ribbon (pro-establishment) retards. People from that generation who are willing to stand up and fight for Hong Kong are fewer and fewer.

“The tragedy of the yellow ribbon/umbrella movement is that it was led by a bunch of kids who didn’t have enough political wisdom to lead but were thrust into leadership positions. As I see it, Hong Kong is 90 per cent dead. There is still some hope with the post-80s, who are rising (professionally) and may put Hong Kong back on the right track.

“In conclusion, the post-60s and 70s are the garbage that have sold out Hong Kong, and that includes my mum and dad and their relatives.”

A cri de coeur! Oh boy, I need a drink.