There has in fact been wave after wave of youthful defiance — Savage begins his study in the 19th century — whether idealistic or hedonistic or both.
Donald Trump's victory inspired another, less noted reaction that may prove more politically significant than the current wave of demoralization: defiance.
But just as in 1960s America, when unspoken resentments against discrimination slowly transformed into a wave of public defiance, Pakistan's silent majority is refusing to stay silent any longer.
The announcement set off a wave of anger, defiance and sadness among tenants, many of whom have enjoyed below-market rents for many years under the state's system of rent stabilization and were unaware that they were in jeopardy.
Nonetheless, the shock waves of her defiance had reverberated throughout Montgomery and beyond.
Understandably caught up in a wave of grief and defiance, the House of Representatives voted for the display of signs proclaiming God Bless America in schools, and the New York Board of Education passed a resolution requiring all public schools to lead a daily pledge.
It was an unusual, sweeping wave of protest and defiance on the sidelines of the country's most popular game, generated by Mr. Trump's stream of calls to fire players who have declined to stand for the national anthem in order to raise awareness of police brutality and racial injustice.
I saw him in Baghdad in July 2003; he was shouting angrily, waving a clenched fist of defiance at a US soldier whose machine gun was menacingly aimed at him.
People sang songs of defiance and waved the red, black and green rebel flag.
Outside the arena, some waved Confederate battle flags, a show of defiance against South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who pushed for the flag to be taken down from the Statehouse grounds this summer after the Charleston church slayings.
