"But look, I was born in 1956, the peak year for births in US history. I think I'm very representative of many of the thought processes my generation have been through and, by and large, people of my age have had their imprint planted on the consciousness of western society for a long time"

In this quote, Tom Hanks is reflecting on his birth year and how it connects to his generation. He was born in 1956, which was a considerable year for births in the United States. He thinks that his idea processes and experiences are representative of his generation as a whole. He also acknowledges that people of his age have actually had a strong influence on the consciousness of western society for a long period of time. This recommends that Hanks sees his generation as having a substantial effect on the cultural and social standards of the western world. He might likewise feel a sense of obligation for shaping the worths and beliefs of his generation.