2. Post Post-Modern Feminism and the Neo Men’s Movement. We may be faced with a lost generation of men. Universities are nearing graduating classes made up of 70% women. (See Ali’s amazing TED talk on bringing back boys — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jynsAdRpoJk) Women are naturals for the corporate life, as collaboration and communication rule the day, but these traits aren’t in the typical male psyche. I’m speaking now in gender stereotypes, but I wonder what a generation of men raised on video games and paintball wars will accomplish in the non-virtual world where conversation is the coin of the realm? There are new men’s movements, mostly in response to the Post Post-Modern Feminism movement (“Wait, you’re goddesses now?”) but it seems we’re working towards mutual independence versus interdependence. Do we as a society need to prove that we truly don’t need each other? Women first with artificial insemination and men next with fembots? How do we start working towards rapproachment? 3. This generation, more than any other, has had very little connection to nature. They know the earth hangs in the balance, feel deeply about the loss of rainforest in the Amazon or the plastic islands building in the Pacific, but they haven’t actually had much connection with the nature that’s right outside their front door. When they are outdoors it tends to be goal oriented vs. letting Mother Nature have a few words. Being able to recognize the “other” found in nature is how narcissism is ultimately cured. We all need a connection to nature, not just in a National Park, but to the ecosystem we live in. 4. Creativity and Visioning aren’t real strengths. I blame the cult of celebrity on this, but fame and wealth are all that seem to matter sometimes. “Why do anything unless it brings you money or fame?” It’s a question that they’ll have to find a better answer to than what’s currently being provided by our celebrity obsessed culture. Creativity and visioning come from stillness and silence and both are in short supply with this overly entertained generation. Why learn to paint (sing, dance, write, play an instrument) when there are 152 top of the line artists working on “Titanfall” for your enjoyment? The value of learning to do something isn’t always because you’ll be the best at it, or will get paid, but rather because it grows your character. Personality has replaced character as a value in our society.
A Coin Toss?
My deepest fear is that this generation is the next “Greatest Generation” only in reverse (Greatest Generation: Great Depression, WWII, then the 50’s) and for Millennials they’re enjoying their “salad days” right now and will face increasing challenges over the next two decades. Will they have the requisite variety to meet the challenges ahead? I’m working my ass off to help them, but it’s 50/50 in my opinion. It will hinge on their ability to keep their strengths out of liability phase and remain conscious of how their weaknesses are acting as liabilities.
In my heart of hearts, I know they will rise to the occasion.