In Strauss and Howe’s book “The Fourth Turning” the describe the roles of each generation during the various “Turnings“. At the end of the book there are “scripts” for each of the generation (actually the generation archetypes) in the Crisis (aka “Fourth Turning”) that represents the next 10-15 years in American history. Each script describes how the generation in question should act for a positive outcome from the Crisis. The script for the Millennial generation (Hero archetype) is shown below:
For the child Hero, the Fourth Turning looms as a great coming-of-age trial. Whether the Crisis will be won or lost will depend in large measure on the Hero’s teamwork, competence, and courage. By forever sealing his reputation for valor and glory, the Fourth Turning can energize the Hero for a lifetime of grand civic achievements.
Today’s Millennial children should bask in adult hope, remain upbeat themselves, and reject the Unraveling-era cynicism that surrounds them. They should keep their innocence and avoid growing up too quickly. They should do small good deeds while dreaming of the day they will do greater ones. By applying peer pressure to positive purposes, they will be able to reconstruct a positive reputation for American adolescence. When older generations preach traditional values that they themselves failed to learn as children (and which are not yet common to the adult world), Millennials would do well to ignore the hypocrisy—and heed the lessons. The sooner today’s children succeed in displaying these virtues, the more likely older people will be to treat them generously (by paying school taxes and relinquishing elder reward), thereby helping them prepare for their coming trial.
At the onset of the Great Depression, President Herbert Hoover demanded “a fair chance” for American youth: “If we could have but one generation of properly born, trained, educated, and healthy children:” he predicted, “a thousand other problems of government would vanish.” Events—and young G.I.s – proved him right. The Millennials’ time is near. If they play their script well, perhaps the day will come when they sing in unison, as young patriots did in 1776, “The rising world shall sing of us a thousand years to come / And tell our children’s children the wonders we have done.”
Will the Millennial Generation be up to this task? Only time will tell.
As a member of the Millennial generation I have to say that “remaining upbeat” is a lot harder said than done. I feel like there is some new depressing fact lurking around every corner. That being said I guess the fact that I can still be happy, a lot happier than I see older members of my family being, is a good thing.
As I get older I kind of feel like I am getting farther away from everyone else in my generation, not closer. Maybe that is what a hero generation does though, come together for some purpose. We just don’t know our purpose yet. If I was to guess I would say global warming, but there are quite a few crises that seem imminent.
The idea that we should use peer pressure as a way to get good things done is a little scary. It implies that all the good we do will just be because it is what is expected of us. Maybe that is just what needs to happen during a crisis, but it’s still a little sad.
@Sitara – I agree that remaining upbeat is a tough task when there are so many crises facing our society, but that is the Hero’s test. Of course, a positive outcome for the Hero is only preordained in myths, not in reality. Sometimes the Hero fails, and fails miserably (the Hero generation of the Axis in WWII certainly failed). I still have questions about whether Millennials will really band together when the crisis comes to a head. What do you think? Can Millennials overcome the individuality that is so typical of our times to deal with a crisis as a group?
When I look at the issues that my generation has to meet someday soon, I get scared. Not because of the issue… the issues are tolerable… but the fear that my generation doesn’t have the attention span to go through with a project to completion. What use have we for a plan to fix global warming if we constantly say “We can just do that tomorrow.” We may have been molded by previous generations, and influenced to follow their morals and their paths, but they gave us the bad stuff too. For years very few people paid attention to the environment because they figured they could always go back later and fix it. Sort of an eraser theory. We figure we can always go back later to fix it. Until it gets later, and later and later. The procrastination of the older generations is the reason our generation now is stuck in the “crisis” time period. It’s foolish to expect the young, weak, stupid generation to have any chance of fixing the mess that was made for us. It’s like asking a toddler to clean out the garage. So sure, attempt to mold the young generations to your values and your ideals, but those very things that may mean the world to you, the collective you, may be the very thing that ends up being a pitfall in judgment.
@Rachel Finn-Romero – Do you really think that that your generation is “young, weak, stupid”? I agree that older generations are asking a great deal of Millennials, and that we created a huge mess for you to deal with. I personally have spent the last 10 years trying to change my own lifestyle to live more in tune with the needs of the planet. My actions have always been more individual (I am a Gen X’er) but now is the time that we collaborate to find solutions. To fix the world’s problems will require the very best from every living generation, from Millennial to GI Generation.
I think we all may be surprised by the staying power of the Millennial generation once we are truly confronting the crisis in 10 years. I have seen large groups in crisis before and it often brings out the best in people. The Millennials may act “young, weak, stupid” in some ways right now, but I am optimistic that they will rise to the occasion once they are called. That is the Hero’s journey: born entitled and ignorant and then face an initiation of trial by fire which transforms into the true hero.
The more I learn about the task of my generation, the less I want to be a part of it. Singing in unison as young patriots? Coming together and heeding lessons from hypocrites? I don't see the appeal. I don't want my children to rebel against me the way the boomers did against the G.I.s.
My generation has the opportunity to be heroes. Remaining hopeful is not going to cut it. We need fire. We can't just "apply peer pressure to positive purposes," we need to inspire each other. We need to rise up and vanquish the corruption and greed that has caused the mess we are in. The boomers talked the talk, but when they all grew up, they became the exact kind of greedy, corrupt, war-hungry bastards they protested against in the 60s and 70s. As a millenial, I feel that we must be the generation that finally does more than talk. We need to become what we want our country's leaders to be.
So far I don't see half the passion for change in my peers as the boomers had. I fear my generation is destined to be the ones who merely pull through the crisis and receive heaps of praise for merely coming out all right on the other end. We will be heroes out of necessity, but we will be heroes devoid of passion.
@Sean – I know how you feel: I often don't want to be part of Generation X! But that's the deal, you don't have a choice about which generation you are born into. But I am hopeful that your observation about Millennials as \”doers\” is right on. The solutions won't be perfect, and there will be a lack of depth to those solutions, but that will be solved in another cycle (or 100!). Thanks for the comment.
Reading this article, I think that I agree with most of what was stated. At the same time, I also agree with what my classmates have said about the subject as well. Going along with what Sitara said in her comment, while it is easier said than done to stay upbeat, I still feel that it is important. I also feel that the youth in the millenial generation, myself included of course, need to focus on serving others rather than serving ourselves. Service is a way for this generation to expand their horizons and be able to see the world in a different light rather than in our own sheltered ways.__Looking at the article, I think that it is important to keep our innocence to a certain extent. It says that we should focus on our innocence and present rather than focusing on our future and acting more mature and ready to take on life. I think that a lot of the time, the youth of today stay too over protective and too innocent. Because of this, we tend to over exert ourselves when we are thrown into "the real world."
@Elisheva – Perhaps that innocence and overprotection is exactly what is needed to really take on life in a positive way. As a Gen X'er I was pretty \”grown up\” (along with most of my generation) well before I reached adulthood. That lead to a pretty jaded and cynical attitude that is not conducive to building a new society. So, like all the hero's of myth, the Millennials may need that innocence to really do great things…
@Elisheva – Perhaps that innocence and overprotection is exactly what is needed to really take on life in a positive way. As a Gen X'er I was pretty \”grown up\” (along with most of my generation) well before I reached adulthood. That lead to a pretty jaded and cynical attitude that is not conducive to building a new society. So, like all the hero's of myth, the Millennials may need that innocence to really do great things…
It is impossible for us not to grow up too quickly. Everywhere we turn there are ways for things to get done faster and pushes for us to move into a new things. They tell us to slow down, yet the pushes us harder to learn more and grow quicker. They want us to fix problems. They want us us to salvage what they have destroyed. They call us heroes to try and inspire us. They want us to repair their world.
@Maximilian – Yes it's a crazy contradiction that requires growing up too fast. I know that is why we put our kids in Waldorf School – to give them the chance to have a childhood. But the expectations on your generation are enormous and daunting.
The fact is. We had nothing to do with global warming. We had nothing to do with the economy. We had nothing to do with war and disease. The older generations should be asking us to help, rather than expecting it. But then it gets better. We hear from older generations that we are greedy, lazy, ignorant, stupid, and we all have ADD. Well, they raised us. They made us who we are today cause it certainly wasnt instinct. The more i discover about the generations, the more i dislike them. Despite this, I think that it would be morally right for us to fix the planet and all its problems, seeing as we are the ones who will be here in the future. We should be motivated not by the fact that people tell us what to do, but by the fact that, whats done is done, and we should fix it for our own sakes and the sakes of our own children.
@Maximilian – I agree that the level of hypocrisy coming from older generations (mine included) is ridiculous. Ironically this provides some of the motivation for Millennials to fix things. The Millennial generation sees the hypocrisy all around them and says \”Time to fix this, once and for all\”. Gen X'ers saw hypocrisy and said \”Time to check out!\”, which, of course, created even more hypocrisy…
Quite the contrary, I think that there will be passion, and it will come from a leader or collection of a few leaders. I think we have not even started to see the true crisis yet, only its foreshadowing. I agree with Sitara that it is very easy to become pessimistic with all the problems around every corner, but i believe that there will be far more, and that this crisis has potential to be far worse than we have seen yet.
With this crisis, leaders will arise, just like Hitler came out of the crisis in and leadership void in Germany, and Lenin and Trotsky were able to seize power out of the power vacuum during one of Russia's lowest points, so leaders will rise from our crisis. The same cycle was made clear in China when they had emperors, it was called the dynastic cycle. When a royal family line started to falter in its leadership, it would be overthrown by someone who would rebuild the county until his descendants began to falter again. I have full faith that someone will rise out of our crisis. If they do good, or bring more destruction, I cannot say, but i can say that it will be a time of change. We have seen through history that conflict brings about the most change, and I feel that the this looming crisis has the raw power to have the world change in ways more dramatic than we have seen since the industrial revolution. I am excited to be in the generation that has such great power for change.
From reading the different archetypes, I would not have associated the Millenials with the Hero generation. Observing my peers and myself, I do not see the courageous, or unifying qualities that heroes need. Teamwork is not a term I use to describe the Millenials. I worry that the Millenials will not pull through the negative view of the future.
When the GIs faced the crisis, they had passion, and a working group dynamic to pull through. Our generation is overloaded with information and media. We hear the negativity and devastation the future holds, and are discouraged by it.
Unlike the GI generation, we have too much information, creating more pressure. If our generation did not know the overweighing future ahead of us, we could have faced the crisis head on. My perception is that we have so much expected from us that the only path in downhill.
I am not comfortable with the idea that we must use "peer pressure" to enforce goodness. Goodness should come from our own hearts, and not from outside influence. The outside pressure makes goodness a necessity, and raises the standards. With such high expectations and standards, it seems impossible to come through the crisis without being a let down.
@Wataru – There are many authors and researchers that agree with your assessment of the Millennial generation. I have been reading \”Generation Me\” as well as \”The Dumbest Generation\” and both books paint a pretty bleak picture about the Millennial Generation. I remain an optimist about the future, but as a pragmatic Gen X'er I worry that it is possible that your description of the generation turns out to be true.
One factor that may really shift things is if/when the crisis really comes to a head. Crises have a way of pulling people together in unexpected ways. So I would caution not to count the Millennials out before the real trial has arrived.
The script stated that for my generaltion (Millennial) to be heros we need to band together and do something about it as a team, while ever remaining hopeful. I believe that this is not happening. There is an overwhelming presence of narcissism and individuality that is stopping us from working together. The majority of the youth is lethargic, and falling prey to the cynicism that surrounds us from the other generations.
Although there is some hope. I am sure we will get through this crisis, because of peer pressure or some other means adolesence will be inspired to get through this… even if they dont know they are doing it.
@Kevin – I wonder if the narcissism that you describe is part of a longer trend, outside of the turnings of the generations. I have been reading \”Generation Me\” which is about the narcissism of late Gen X'ers and Millennials. Is there a larger cycle at work here? One about the individual and egoism? Although a Hero generation is supposed to be about the group, perhaps the definition of the group has changed in our consciousness.
Why does individualism have to be a bad thing? Obviously people should learn to care more about their society and humanity but at the same time the idea of collectivism can be abused by authoritarians and lead to people being asked to sacrifice their happiness and well-being. Maybe individualism could be a positive contribution. I think that the problem is more selfishness then individualism honestly.
While I understand the whole scientific approach here, I have to take this generation stuff with a grain of salt. It is difficult for me to believe that people are so easily classified into such specific groups. The only thing that makes a little sense here is that people are greatly the product of their parents. People born in certain times will have certain experiences, so I'm sure they will behave similarly (thus the generations!), but within those broad commonalities, no one will ever feel or see anything the same. How can we so simply cast individuals together?
I often wonder if the people of each generation are so similar, or if they grew up accepting the views older ones were already molding for them, the archetypes set in stone before they were born.
@Kelsey – Agreed. I have found the generational research useful for understanding trends in society, but it can break down when applied strictly to individuals. That said, it can be useful for putting context around people's actions: understanding how individuals from a generation were raised can give empathy for their situation.
As a member of this wildly disputed "disillusioned" new generation, I honestly don't give a damn about our duty as a group to go down as a chapter of heroes. Sure, I want to make a difference, but it most certaintly will not be because everyone else in my generation needs to. I am eighteen years old. I am at the beginning of my life. How dare the world look at me and my peers with such cynical eyes. We have barely lived long enough to take a chance, to breathe air outside the our parents drew for us. Give us a break. Freedom from the archetype. I am not part of some ridiculous historic saga.
@Kelsey – You sound like a Gen X'er! hehe. But to quote Franklin D. Roosevelt (when speaking of the GI Generation):
\”There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.\”
After reading some of my other classmates comments I feel thet they and myself are very nieve and sheltered. There views are highly generalized from there perspective, whcih is the perspective from a secluded Waldorf view. Now in there lies truth to the hero generation. The think because of the way our class and school behaves that our generation will respond the same. After being in Walorf and public school I can conclude that we are "the heros". We have a strong spirit and close togetherness. My field study my coase helped conclude my gut feeling. Formly people would be broken by racial diversity or family background now in our day people of all fasions and ethnicity are joined as a hole in communication and understanding.
Though our generation is young will eventually espire to great things. We enderstand that the worlds doom seems inpending and that we are the ones who must change. As a generation that loves commody we are optomistuc and hopeful. We have the soul abillity to save the world and usure in a new era of Conciosness. Within the next few years we will pick up the slack of the mess our parents and older generations have bestowed upon.
I have both concur and hold strong disagreement with this post. On one hand the "hipocracy" being preached to us, i know a majority of kids believe that because their parents were irresponsible that it gives them the right to make the same mistakes, and expect a get out of jail free card for this, I dont see it this way. I see it as my parents made some mistakes, and learned lessons from them, they shared these lessons with me, in hopes that I wouldnt turn right around and make them myself; sort of like history… I mean isn't that the point, not to repeat bad things that happened in the past? This could be because I am a rather naive person, or that i have an optomostic view on most things.
@Brianna – I am an optimist as well. Although there are some mistakes that we are likely to repeat I think you are right that we have learned lessons from our parent about what we should not try. In many ways that is what forces the cycle of generation: rebellion from your parents (and elders) mistakes. But it's a funny mirroring effect: The GI's values were rejected by the Boomers, who did what they considered to be the exact opposite (tear down society). Then the Millennials come along and reject the values of their parents (mostly Boomers) and do the opposite (build up society). A mirror reflects it's subject, but in reverse. Do it twice and you have a reflection that is not reversed (but also still a reflection). That is why the Millennials resemble the GI's.
Sometimes it is the parents who tell their childred, " I understand if you do x, because i did when i was your age, and i know what it was like…" Im sorry but how is that in any way beneficial to "reconstuction" for a positive reputation. I also don't think it is right to throw the responsibility of this reconstruction on the Millenial generation when we did none of the damage, especially when many are raised with the opinions that they are equals with there parents, and when parents allow, and even facilitate minors in illegal acts.
@Brianna – although some (such as the author of \”The Dumbest Generation\”) seem to blame the current problems of society on the Millennial generation, I agree it is primarily the fault of older generations. In fact, I argued in a post a while back that the GI generation was, in fact, responsible for our current crisis. The point is that the children always inherit the problems and triumphs of their forebears. But there in lies the secret blessing: your generation has the opportunity for great achievement by overcoming these challenges.
There is not one crisis coming, but many. I think that the hero generation must be able to cope with them all… We cannot ignore it, and when I hear the term "keeping upbeat", I imagine one ignoring everything. That is not what we should do.
@Alex.
Yes, we are sheltered, and perhaps naïve. That is the problem. We first need to be aware of the crisis before we can solve it. What is it? Climate Change? Waterr shortage? Overpopulation? China? Communism? The nuclear holocaust? The Second Coming?
Whatever it is, we should be prepared. It may not be something we can influence or change. But if it is, we would do best to be ready.
@Dave – Yes, \”upbeat\” does not properly capture what will be required of this generation. But perhaps optimistic and hopeful are better terms. I know that Obama certainly got a lot of the Millennial vote by using \”hope\” as his message.
God it seems like I'm reading some kind of prophecy. "The millennial children shall save the world and bring peace to all!" Like its destiny or something.
I don't like the fact that I'm expected to save the world. The way I see it, when the time comes we'll step up and get the job done. In the mean time I'm going to live my life with out the the pressure of becoming something the older generations want.
Also, why does it matter what the older generations think of us? Really though, give us some respect. They should appreciate that we are so technologically savvy, being able to txt friends while chatting on Facebook and listening to music on our newest version of the Ipod Touch. I'm not going to save the world if its full of old a******s
@Taylor – I agree that when the time comes that you will step up and get the job done. But when it comes to respect from older generations you are unlikely to get it until you overcome the crisis. Until then your generation will likely be seen as entitled and self-centered, which is something you will just have to ignore.
This excerpt brings up several interesting points. It is idealistic in its hope for today's youth. Absolutely the Millennial Generation has an immense amount of opportunity to do good in the world. It is up to us to reconstruct what has been lost. There are so many values we as a society have lost do to loose morals and an acceptance of the status quo. We are often described as a generation that is open minded and liberal, but we are also a generation who can't take the time to fill in the blanks. I feel like the last election is a testament to the level at which todays youth can be influenced by media. I have a peer for instance who when I asked why he would choose to vote for a certain candidate, he simply replied "because the other one is old and might die." I'm all for freedom of speech and the democratic system, but this is not ground for "reconstruction" this is grounds for blind manipulation.
The youth of today can barely take the time to sit down and read the issues of today, whether it be a newspaper or the radio. I had to tell myself to read the excerpt above in its entirety over and over, when my tendency was to scan.
In the excerpt there is a section that states the following.
"Today’s Millennial children should bask in adult hope, remain upbeat themselves, and reject the Unraveling-era cynicism that surrounds them. They should keep their innocence and avoid growing up too quickly. They should do small good deeds while dreaming of the day they will do greater ones."
This entire section contradicts the reality of todays youth. We all have to grow up faster. Our innocence is no longer preserved by the standards of society. We are told to reject convention. yet we have strayed so far from a conventional society that it is now only a distant memory that we scoff at with an ere of cynicism.
As a youth of todays society i feel that in order for a reconstruction to take place we must get back to the basics. We must learn new family values, strong families will build a stronger tomorrow. Divorce is so prevalent in our society. Many of todays youth have been subjected to broken homes, and for what? So the parents can create new lives… i
We must take the reins and leave our entitlement behind otherwise we could very characteristically pass the torch to the next generation and let someone else handle our problems and continue to live as though no one else matters.
@Jordan – In "The Dumbest Generation" the author argues that the Millennial generation lacks the knowledge of civics required to put society back together. The opinion you heard from one of your peers for their voting choice is what he says is the inevitable result of a populace that lacks real civic knowledge. I will be writing up a review of the book soon (probably in several parts) but the lack of civic understanding in the Millennial generation is a concern. Of course, Gen X'er are mostly ignorant of civics and politics as well.
As for growing up too quickly, I have to agree. But I will say that your generation has not been forced to grow up in the same way as my generation (Gen X). We had to figure it all out on our own, whether it was getting a job, going to college or anything else about the adult world. Millennials definitely get a lot more exposure to the big world when young, but they also have parents that are there to guide them (perhaps in the wrong direction, but guidance nonetheless).
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I have just really enjoyed reading all of my fellow millenials comments and I can relate to most of your opinions. But overall I have always felt very very very strongly that we are here to make a change. So what if its not our fault that the world is a mess right now! I am not gonna sit around and complain about it. We have the ability, information, creativity and technology to do great things all we need is a larger dose of passion (as well as compassion), motivation and self-confidence.
There is a great deal of pessimism regarding our ability to create positive change however I think that there is just as much optimism if we just look in the right places. We need to start with ourselves if we want to make a change and not go around pointing fingers at everyone else, because all the hippocrisy really does need to stop eventually.
One thing that did come to mind though, as I was reading the article, was the infuriating fact that there are education cuts being made in California. How do the older generations expect us to do great things in the world when they are cutting spending on education?! People need to be well educated, otherwise they will not be able to live up to thier fullest potential.
We could either be a dumb generation or a very smart and gifted generation. I think we are both and wil have to decide which half we belong in.
Alright millenials! lets go be Heros..im pretty exited about it..
🙂
@laraellinor – I am right there with you – Go Millennials! And I agree on the education cuts, but I expect that is just one more mess for your generation to clean up 🙂
@Michael – Definitely agree on the \”foreshadowing\” of the crisis – we are just getting started. And your analysis of the last cycle is right on:
\”this looming crisis has the raw power to have the world change in ways more dramatic than we have seen since the industrial revolution\”
There is no reason to fear the crisis, anymore than one should fear the change in the seasons. Things die, new things are born, there is pain and there is joy. That's the cycle.
@laraellinor – Although there are many of the older generations that doubt the Millennials ability to make change, I am not amongst them. I think your optimism and can do attitude will prevail in the upcoming crisis. And one thing that binds Generation X and Millennials is that they both despise hypocrisy.
OK, here's the Xer attempting to nurture the next artists.
I see references to Global Warming. Global Warming, as measured by suspect surface measurements, went flat line around 2001. As measured by satellites using IR arrays, it actually has been slightly undone, since 1998. Don't worry about global warming. Don't worry about population growth (the UN used to believe we'd reach the peak in 2050, I think it will be earlier).
Forget about those supposed threats, which are claimed to be "the wages of the sins of capitalism" – realize that this meme is one conceived and taught by the Boomers. They got their "ecology" flags with the lower case green "e" on the brain, and now, have mainstreamed it. Dont' get me wrong, I'm a good old crunchy con myself – done my share of "green" – but that is yesterday's battle.
So, what is the real battle? World War 3. The Axis is now forming. It is a new / old one. It will probably be heightened somewhat by global cooling. Yes, that's my own big "audacious" bet – global cooling – sleepy sun, volcanic explosions, and then, some ones caused by humans.
Starting to see your role?
@SteveSadlov – Who do you think are the most likely threat to the US for another World War?
One need only look at the current states who are a de facto "grievance group" against the current Europe – North America – Japan et al core industrial group. From that "grievance group" the Axis is arising. It is somewhat diffuse now. With the final collapse of "the Flat World" – a 1990s utopian Boomer concept, the battle lines will form up much more harshly. Of course history never repeats exactly, but the similarities with the 1930s are too many to ignore. The US, UK, etc are still in overall disarmament mode (which we've been in since the late 1980s, even the half measure known as the WoT did not reverse the trend). Meanwhile, in the opposite node, nuclear proliferation is rife, and, even powers party to late 1980s and early 1990s arms agreements are all but cheating. Significantly, China were not a signatory to those agreements. The West and Japan continue unsustainable and increasing levels of social spending (the latest example being the US "stimuli") and hamstring themselves with draconian environmental controls.
Yes, indeed, the millenials are going to have their hands full for sure.
Closing note to millenials – WW3 will not be the end of the world. But oh what a mess there will be to clean up during the post war era. And, let us be blunt. You will probably have to take the Biblical "increase and multiply" to heart, as we drop from 6 to maybe 1 or 2 billion world wide population.
It's quite obvious what our generation will have to come together for. The dollar will collapse and become worthless meanwhile the rising Asian nations will desire more resources and we will eventualy have to fight them or develop huge new energy capacity. So we will need more power and new ways to store wealth. Food will also be scarce looking at current predictions.
@tom – hard to disagree, but I do think that the nature of the crisis is still unclear. Will we fight for resources or work with other nations to replace them? Will we struggle against global warming or finger-point? If there are sides, who will be on each of them (Asia/Middle East/Europe/Americas). Only time will tell.
I think that if the US gets involved in another major war then it will be initiated by the US itself. It is a much different time now then WW2 and any conflict between nations on that scale couldn't happen without it turning into a nuclear war.
The major crises that we face will probably have to do with the environment and building a more eco-friendly society. Having another major war will be very dangerous.
Where do you ignorant asses get the idea that you are a "hero generation". All of you together might have the collective I.Q. of a toad. I have read many of the posts here on this blog and can see that our country is really in bad shape if we expect you urchins to fix anything. You all are nothing but a bunch of "WHINERS" (that is pronounced with a long i sound. Do you even know what a long I sound is?). You people are truly the "IDIOCRACY" generation. Go rent the movie then you will understand what I mean……… Damn, HEAVEN HELP US.
There are smart people and idiots of all generations. Honestly, there have been some intelligent comments in this thread some that I have agreed with and some that I have disagreed with but we aren't all a bunch of idiots. Give us a break man, there are plenty of idiotic older people. Whatever mess the current state of affairs is isn't the younger generations fault.
What generation are you?