Millennials
The plight of a generation
“Millennials, a generation unable to find their way in a world where globalization is decreasing their economic opportunities, the always “connected” digital technology diminishing their social skills, and progressive academia conditioning them with unprecedented bias. They are a generation engineered to accept less by the preceding generation that has everything.
J. Vero – Co-founder and contributor: Quiet Revolution 2.0
Millennials are the most education generation in our history. Over 61 % of millennials in the US have attended university. No other generation has exceeded more than 50%. This is the generation of highly educated thinkers that will soon lead our corporations, our institutions and our government. Not withstanding the debate about intrinsic intelligence vs education, millennials are without doubt, our leaders of the future.
Highly educated, under achieving, heavily in debt, and less opportunity than the generation preceding them, Millennials have yet to find their place in our world. Often the victims of gross generalizations, Millennials are not lazy, are not entitled, and are not the impatient generation they are made out to be. What they are, is the generation living with “firsts” … and suffering the consequences.
First generation to grow up in the digital era – The always “on” and always “connected” technology that brings people together, eliminates time and distance with one click and provides a virtual door to the world. It expands our minds and our horizons. The same technology is also responsible for the additional peer pressure this generation feels. Cyberbullying, online group harassment and toxic discourse is enabled by the anonymity and peer construct of this technology. Too much screen time is diminishing social skills, negatively impacting sleep patterns, creating mood swings and impairing cognitive abilities in young people. Millennials are addicted to “likes” on their Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter feeds as though it validates their very existence. End result, Millennials suffer from higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to any generation before them.
First generation living with digital driven globalization (Globalization 4.0) – Economic uncertainty persists for many millennials as wages increase in underdeveloped countries while income inequality grows in developed countries. With Millennial unemployment growing to over 9%, their economic opportunities begin to wane. As their economic opportunities dimmish, their wages also take a hit. Since 2007, Millennial wages have decreased by 8%. This is compounded as the income gap is widening for workers and lower to middle income families. Extensive research has shown that workers and lower to middle income families realized pay increases 20-40% less than high income families. Along with economic disparity, globalization is fueling global warming. According to a 2019 PBS Newshour report, China and India combined account for 34% of global CO2 emissions. China alone has higher CO2 emissions than the US, Europe and Russia combined. And sadly, this number will increase as the Chinese economy grows. With this employment uncertainty, economic inequality and damage to our planet that globalization is driving, little wonder why Millennials will have less then the preceding generation while managing the changes that the climate emergency is forcing upon us.
First generation in modern times educated with unprecedented bias – Millennials are accustomed to hearing only one voice, the Progressive Liberal voice. Opposing point of views often times are not welcome on University campuses. And when invited to campus debates, the speakers with alternative points of view are often times, simply shut down. There are countless examples over the past 20 years of debate “shut downs” on University campus’. Perhaps the best example is Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow shouted down and unable to finish a speech involving the expansion of economic opportunity at his own university. Bacow published an editorial in the Harvard University newspaper stating, “The hecklers veto has no place at Harvard. When we shut down conversation, when we shut down debate, we shut down the opportunity to learn through reasoned discourse.” Here, an example of the bias and intolerance that is commonplace for millennials. Despite their higher education, this unprecedented bias has eroded their critical thinking skills. They have complete intolerance for a point of view that differs from their own. Sadly, this bias and intolerance affects their ability to make sound decisions.
First generation engineered to accept less - Casualties of a bad social experiment, millennials have been conditioned to seek experiences instead of the pursuing assets and wealth. They have been conditioned to believe the pursuit of wealth is no longer virtuous. Yet, the pursuit of wealth, providing it is done honestly, is a worthy quest. And who has constructed and controlled this experiment ? Oh yes, the generation that already has everything; Boomers and Gen X’ers. The two generations that own the large single dwelling homes, the summer cottages by the lake, the beach front properties along the gulf coast, and huge retirement packages. The Boomers and Gen X’ers have enough discretionary income to enjoy experiences as well as their capital assets. Millennials have been manipulated, and some would say, brainwashed by older generations that already have everything and want to keep it. And with all this manipulation, resentment will eventually follow.
And finally, the first generation seeking equality of outcome vs. equality of opportunity – With fewer economic opportunities, unable to afford a home or live in large cities, and conditioned to accept less, this is the first generation in America since the beginning of the republic to seek equality of outcome. Without doubt, the thin edge of the socialism wedge. This will drive a greater dependency on government, see the expansion of government, see the introduction of a living wage and ultimately breed the complacency and dissent that has historically accompanied every socialist society. This spells the end to the culture and DNA of western civilization that’s been responsible for the greatest social, economic and scientific evolution in the history of mankind.
So here we are, the most educated and likely the most intelligent generation in history. Super smart but suffering the consequences of their environment. So what can we we do to ensure Millennials have the same opportunities afforded to previous generations ? For starters, reject globalism and those politicians that support it. Reject the Joe Bidens of the world that hire hedge fund managers as their economic advisors. Let us inject a balance of human interaction and a connection to nature in all our lives and demand Millennials do the same. This will provide the necessary balance so the digital world does not define our lives but enrich our lives. Be openly critical of the bias that has taken over our media and academia. Reject it openly and outright. Only this will enable Millennials to open their minds, consider different points of view and ignite their critical thinking skills. Finally, convince Millennials the pursuit of wealth through hard work followed by philanthropy is a noble pursuit. Equality of opportunity is the bedrock of western civilization and was the impetus for the greatest technological advancement in the history of mankind. Let us pave the way to a better world that will provide opportunities for Millennials as it has for Boomers and Gen X’ers.
“…Now, as a nation, we don’t promise equal outcomes, but we were founded on the idea everybody should have an equal opportunity to succeed. No matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, you can make it. That’s an essential promise of America. Where you start should not determine where you end up.”
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America