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How are global youth changing our future? Are they Generation We or Me?
I have a draft of a book about how global youth are changing our future, based on almost 3,500 surveys, extensive dialogues, interviews and visits with young people from 66 countries. I find them to be thoughtful, altruistic, creating a new non-hierarchical paradigm, and inclusive. They’re comfortable with women in leadership positions. The main differences between them are not their nationalities but whether they live in an urban or rural area. If you would like to critique and add to chapters, I’m glad to share. The main debate in the US is if youth are narcissistic and apathetically caught up in consumerism or if they are making changes in nontraditional ways, volunteering, and questioning authority. What are your observations about how young people are changing the old ways of doing things? Are you hopeful or worried? Will they be able to turn around failures like the inability of the Rio+20 to make binding agreements to protect the planet? I’d especially like to hear from Millennials; the open-ended book questions are on my Wordpress blog. Thanks, Gayle Kimball
Juniper Blue 10+
Juniper Blue 10+
Gayle Kimball
Raul De Maio
It's hard to talk about youth in general because there are too many cultural differences. However, the role of the internet becomes increasingly important in our lives. Today we have a huge supply of information, new possibilities of communication and all these things stimulate a new global culture, ideas and other ways to communicate.
All these good things and the current problems will force this generation to be mainly a "WE"-generation.
[PS: i'm not so familiar with english, so sorry me if I made some mistakes in grammar =P ]
Gayle Kimball
Greetings from California. I'm writing a book that gives you and other young people around the world an opportunity to say what's on your mind. This is your chance to be heard. Many of you have wonderful suggestions for how to make our world a better to live in, so I'm asking people age 19 and under to respond to 10 questions. I have translations in other language.
See www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Global-Youth-SpeakOut/160382763986923 for photos.
(I’ve written other peer-based books for youth, including The Teen Trip: The Complete Resource Guide and How to Survive Your Parents’ Divorce: Kids’ Advice to Kids.) Please also forward to kids and their teachers so they can be part of the global youth book.
Thanks, Gayle Kimball, Ph.D. gkimball@csuchico.edu
1. If you could ask a question of the wisest person in the world,
what would you ask her or him about life?
2. What bothers you in your daily life? What practice best helps you stay calm?
3. If there was one thing you could change about adults, what
would it be?
4. What would you like to change about yourself?
5. What do you like to do for fun?
6. When have you felt most loved by someone else?
7. Why do you think you’re here on earth; what’s your purpose? How are you influenced by global media (TV, Internet, advertisements, etc?)
8. On a scale of 1 to 100, how highly would you grade your
school? Why?
9. What work would you like to do when you're an adult?
10. If you were the leader of your country, what changes would you make?
11. Imagine you get to write on a T-shirt going on a trip around the world. What do you want your T-mail to say to people?
What questions are missing that you’d like to answer? Your email. . . . . . .
What f
Raul De Maio
I think both are too complicated to explain with a few lines.
I'll answer you about the question you wrote:
1-This is very interesting. I probably would ask what he thinks about the word "happiness" (principally how we can get it and if everyone can)
2-The inconsistency of our behavior and abuse of technology. I can stay calm using ..."meditation" (it's not something easy to explain)
3-their life style (way of life?) and how they perceive the world
4-Sometimes I would be more extroverted
5-Meet (or make) friends
6-A long time ago :P I now prefer to be twenty-one
7- Ehm...I don't know.
I try to see more media possible for a personal opinion
8- Between 70 and 80. I had a good education, with good teachers but I was lucky. The Italian school can improve
9-I'd like to solve problems of any kind (I study mathematics, so probably...)
10-I'll the political class, the school system and some changes about the economy and local administration
11-" Learn about the world "
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Scott Armstrong 50+
I'm not sure of the definition of youth but I would think it logical to assume that their attitudes to the future are as varied as their up-bringings.
My great concern for the "youth" is all the pressure they are under to become, what I think is rather hazily defined, "global citizens" and to somehow stop the environmental folly that has been so determinedly ingrained in industry and commerce for around 500 years.
Personally, I think this generation will turn out just like the last with all the highs and lows that are a result of humanity feeling it's way in the dark..
Gayle Kimball
Ian Sheane
Conor Corrigan
Ash Doyle
How do you propose children carry out research, there's only so much kids can do in the field at school & the internet affords them pretty much the entire extent of human knowledge. Books often (mostly) contain outdated data when compared to reliable internet sources. & as for social interaction, there was a slight hiccup in societal norms when MySpace & facebook appeared, but they've now been accepted into the mainstream & from my experience the youth know better how to interact with one another than they did 30+ years ago. (crowd sourcing will achieve some amazing things.)
I do agree that there's an obesity epidemic, but that can hardly be attributed to just kids, fat parents, fat teachers, fat tradies, fat pollies (& all the fatties in between) are all to blame here. It's about education.
Conor Corrigan
Debra Smith 200+
Lee Frankel-Goldwater 10+
Tanka Poudel
The real conflict is not with the new or old generation but the conflict is with traditional way of thinking and new way of thinking. Since new generation always tend to be a bit more radical or rebellious they will generally choose the new ideas or if not any will try to invent their own. But all new ideas and concepts aren't always "the idea" we look for. We must consider that the ideas or thought we consider traditional today was a radical thought of yesteryear.
With the access to resources today's global youth have definitely become more active. They have involved themselves in numerous social, natural causes which is really good. But the change that has come till now is not substantial that it holds such high value in regards to the future. Such activities to me look like mere patch work on a bulldozered building. I don't have high expectation in the recent future.
So, how can we go about then?
We "new generation" if really serious should take a bit of time off to rethink, relearn and re-inspire ourselves. First step would be to create a bigger network with stronger roots and stable platform. Reach all who can be reached. Initiate discussions for all that needs to be discussed, conclude the outcome vote on it and "ACT". The act can be any thing from not using a brand or bank or simply walking together. The Generation who needs to do this is We. Alone and single we are doomed and along with us future.
Gayle Kimball
Tanka Poudel
1) Create or utilize available network to spread word for discussion
2) Discuss every aspects in detail vote for it
3) Bring it to action through delegations, boycotting, protesting peacefully
Without network nothing is possible so if you want to start; start with that.
Gayle Kimball
Gayle Kimball
Tanka Poudel
Tanka Poudel
Lee Frankel-Goldwater 10+
Another point is that I don't think enough youth, on the larger scale, really understand the tools at their disposal. Many are stuck in the perspective of the old guard, of the "get grades, go to college, get a job" mentality and they are fearful of looking elsewhere. There are not enough teachers and courses on DIY lifestyle design. Too much in the education system is holding kids back from really acting. As a Millennial myself, I'm working hard to learn about all of these possibilities. The net is quite crowded though, and standing out without good design, good content, and a great idea is very hard.
What's the answer? Maybe youth competitions and totally revamping the ed system? Maybe a bit of trust? I've personally always wanted to teach a course where TED talks are the driver for the class and youth need to participate in the conversations and perhaps hold their own small TED event. This could teach so much and get a lot of support from local organizations, business, and media.
Debra Smith 200+
Gayle Kimball
Stevan S.
Example:
There is still a strong feeling of national unity in France, therefore WE might play a slightly stronger role in elections.
In Finland, however, I am acquainted with a completely different story. Historically, a strong individualistic current seems to have the upper hand.
All in all, politicians can no longer ignore the importance of individual prosperity amongst voters, despite the fact that the WE factor is unavoidable.
Gayle Kimball
Greetings from California. I'm writing a book that gives you and other young people around the world an opportunity to say what's on your mind. This is your chance to be heard. Many of you have wonderful suggestions for how to make our world a better to live in, so I'm asking people age 19 and under to respond to 10 questions. I have translations in other language.
See www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Global-Youth-SpeakOut/160382763986923 for photos.
(I’ve written other peer-based books for youth, including The Teen Trip: The Complete Resource Guide and How to Survive Your Parents’ Divorce: Kids’ Advice to Kids.) Please also forward to kids and their teachers so they can be part of the global youth book.
Thanks, Gayle Kimball, Ph.D. gkimball@csuchico.edu
1. If you could ask a question of the wisest person in the world,
what would you ask her or him about life?
2. What bothers you in your daily life? What practice best helps you stay calm?
3. If there was one thing you could change about adults, what
would it be?
4. What would you like to change about yourself?
5. What do you like to do for fun?
6. When have you felt most loved by someone else?
7. Why do you think you’re here on earth; what’s your purpose? How are you influenced by global media (TV, Internet, advertisements, etc?)
8. On a scale of 1 to 100, how highly would you grade your
school? Why?
9. What work would you like to do when you're an adult?
10. If you were the leader of your country, what changes would you make?
11. Imagine you get to write on a T-shirt going on a trip around the world. What do you want your T-mail to say to people?
What questions are missing that you’d like to answer? Your email. . . . . . .
What first name would you like used in t
Debra Smith 200+
Gayle Kimball
I'd love to see your paper. Can you email it to gkimball@csuchico.edu?
Stevan S.
Strong nationalistic feelings that lead to huge revolutions in the 18th and the 19th century (a representative of WE) are slowly and quietly fading away. They are being replaced with a feeling that one's individual prosperity (ME) is more important than waging battles for the greater good.
Priorities are changing, not degrading.
The mobilization of wider crowd to counter issues of the modern age (pollution, poverty, disease) is an increasing trend, an example of WE. Yet, the mentioned trend is sluggishly gaining strength.
Gayle Kimball
Lisa McMonagle
Then there are the WE students. Many of these students participate in immersion programs that examine problems both within the U.S. and in other places around the world. These students are often involved in Community Action programs that work in the community with impoverished people and those less fortunate. Many of these students are pursuing possible careers in social entrepreneurship. Many of these students have a definition of success relating to service and doing the best they can for good.
Lisa McMonagle
Lisa McMonagle
Gail . 50+
But binding agreements among Reo+20 groups are not the answer they will give us. Thanks to the hippies, science started looking at things that were inconceivable to their parents. It is here that our salvation will come, and it will come as a result of the Internet making information available - information that was not publicly available only a decade ago.
That our young have the courage to question authority is their best attribute. That they are willing to educate themselves beyond the lies that they are required to learn as part of a compulsory education is our assurance. That they are sending a message of how our (global) economic model works - and how it creates poverty, war, crime&violence, and suffering - is a good step.
But they are going further in exploring things that the few remaining hippies have been saying for years. We create our own realities with our thoughts & emotions, and feelings are not emotions - they are a universal language. I am grateful to them for spreading this powerful and provable message.
Christian polls in USA show that of those aged 18-24, less than one percent have a Biblical worldview. These young people are calling themselves "spiritual". They are risking relationships with parents & family to do so. They are willingn to step outside of conventional norms.
As our economic model is mathematically GUARANTEED to fail sooner rather than later, it is on them that I place my hope that we will take their values into the new world order of peace, equality, and prosperity (of a different kind) for all. I wish them the best and wish that I could help them.
David Hamilton 50+
The baby boom, and generation x presided over 30 years of economic and social stagnation. They championed relativistic morallity and post modernism, and they talked about small town values and capitalism as they left local stores to save 30 cents at Wal Mart.
We're a generation waiting for the nonsensical faux money system to fall apart, so we can start doing real work again.
We hope the economy falls apart because otherwise we're enslaved to pay the last generations debts, which bought us nothing, and produced nothing for us.
Cheerio! : )
Gayle Kimball
David Hamilton 50+
Also the dollars are worthless, so any long term goal or plan is a waste of time. Long term self interest has been completely destroyed in this system, it will inevitably collapse. Why work 40 hours a week a job you hate for dollars that will soon be incapable of being exchanged for goods?
Just relax, and enjoy the electricity while it's still on.
David Hamilton 50+
Hemp clothing, oil for fuel, and plastic replacement... Illegal. Farming anything but corn, or soy beans, not illegal, but nearly impossible to profit off of. Can you start a restaurant or a coffee shop? No of course not Starbucks will open right across the street, not to make a profit, but simply to insist that they don't have new competition turning up in the area. McDonalds, Wendy's, and Burger King, are already satisfying peoples desires for the best burgers on the planet, and they get subsidized by the government.
What are millenials supposed to do? Work for the companies causing the problems?
Gayle Kimball
David Hamilton 50+
I'd try to to help, but once you make 50k a year you start making a noticable contribution to a system which imprisons black people for smoking weed, makes hemp illegal to intentionally stagnate economic growth, uses unconstitutional unmanned drones to watch over it's own citizens, and calls every millitary aged male from Afganistan or Iraq an "enemy combatant", so they can murder them at random in the christian muslim holy war.
There's no amount of money you could pay me to contribute to that, I'd feel like I had no soul. Most people have children by this age, so that's how they get suckered in : p I'm 29 btw.
If i didn't live in a wartorn, bizarro world, nightmare of a country, I'd probably start a web based business and use that to fund the glassworks. Till then...
Free Bradley Manning!
Now what's on TV?
David Hamilton 50+
The debts can't be repaid, because human beings won't need to spend anywhere near as much energy/money charging their small electric commuter vehicles, as they spent building the behemoth we currently employ. The economy is going to shrink, and our debts are already bigger than our economy.
Huge political changes will have to occur in order for us to establish a new currency system, or somehow make this one sustainable, despite decreases to spending... IE banks have to fail, and debts must be forgiven, or transfered to new investors at lower rates.
Unfortunately the "hard working adults" of last generation, haven't picked up on this. They're not voting for any changes, and they're not spending money on these sustainable products. If this continues, it's 10 years before global warming causes mass starvation, at best. If adults are intent on destroying the world... Kids are going to bang and do drugs like it's the end of the world.
Hopefully the message is getting out, and an undercurrent of change is in the works. I voice my opinion in various places. I converse with friends about the things that are really important. If the grassroots marketing thing becomes my new 10k job, I'll be promoting electric vehicles for a living.
Lots of intelligent people have given up on fixing this system, but we're ready and waiting when people with money start spending it, and create jobs doing useful work.
Gayle Kimball
Gayle Kimball
This is another organization that supports social entrepreneurs.....
Gayle Kimball
Debra Smith 200+
My second example was stimulated by the Bullying thread. This generation is doing something significant about bullying. This will certainly change our world. if those people go into adulthood without being bullied more of their core essence of decency will be available for them to plow into making the world a better place for everyone.
sheela sridevi
Christian Edwards
Gord G 30+
Bridget Higgins
Gayle Kimball
Greetings from California. I'm writing a book that gives you and other young people around the world an opportunity to say what's on your mind. This is your chance to be heard. Many of you have wonderful suggestions for how to make our world a better to live in, so I'm asking people age 19 and under to respond to 10 questions. I have translations in other language.
See www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Global-Youth-SpeakOut/160382763986923 for photos.
(I’ve written other peer-based books for youth, including The Teen Trip: The Complete Resource Guide and How to Survive Your Parents’ Divorce: Kids’ Advice to Kids.) Please also forward to kids and their teachers so they can be part of the global youth book.
Thanks, Gayle Kimball, Ph.D. gkimball@csuchico.edu
1. If you could ask a question of the wisest person in the world,
what would you ask her or him about life?
2. What bothers you in your daily life? What practice best helps you stay calm?
3. If there was one thing you could change about adults, what
would it be?
4. What would you like to change about yourself?
5. What do you like to do for fun?
6. When have you felt most loved by someone else?
7. Why do you think you’re here on earth; what’s your purpose? How are you influenced by global media (TV, Internet, advertisements, etc?)
8. On a scale of 1 to 100, how highly would you grade your
school? Why?
9. What work would you like to do when you're an adult?
10. If you were the leader of your country, what changes would you make?
11. Imagine you get to write on a T-shirt going on a trip around the world. What do you want your T-mail to say to people?
What questions are missing that you’d like to answer? Your email. . . . . . .
What first name would you like used in the book to quote you?
How old are you?
Girl or boy?
What city and country do you live in?
Gracias! Merci! Danke! Arrigato! Chi
Debra Smith 200+
Mark Meijer 100+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLIPmoBEMg4#t=3m45s
In terms of direction we have less than nothing to offer them. They need to find their own and the best we can do is get out of the way. I'm not surprised that many of them are deathly bored with the world they find themselves in, other than the one they create for themselves. Should we expect them to be interested in the same tired old routine that most of us have straightjacketed ourselves into? I should hope not. Maybe it looks like they don't know what to do with themselves, but neither do we. As long as we pretend to know better, we're only hurting them.
All is vanity.
Debra Smith 200+
I firstly wish to thank you for your work, which i consider a societal service akin to the military. I have stated before that I have five of my own and cannot imagine how people manage an entire class!
I wonder if you might consider that what you are seeing is like green apples. Of course they are sour = they are not ripe and in the same way, of course they are ill informed and full of energy - they have not yet reached that fully formed stage. Perhaps my take is too simplistic?
Debra
Bridget Higgins
A valid question- but I interact with college students as well, and I definitely see it there, and I am 26 and I think it is often the case for my peers as well... and for myself! I think it might be a cultural more than age-based phenomenon because of the way we get our information, but today's kids are growing up with it as their avenue of information, which I think is [mis?]forming the way they look for information. I think it keeps them satisfied with what they can find quickly, which is often superficial or biased. It takes a focused education concentration to help them expand out of that. So in a sense, you are right, it is a stage, but one which not all have the guidance to grow out of.
Debra Smith 200+
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Do you remember yourself and your peers from ten years ago? Were you different or similar?
Jeff Berg
"Altruism", "social justice", and pop psychology are the staples of my generation.
Altruism is a buzzword that also means I'm a good person and I'm looking out for your best interest so help ME out.
Generation "We" makes it sounds all inclusive but in reality it is an easily swayed adolescent mob where everyone is attempting to hijack the group for their own self interest.
Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vq_WDf6NT0
Debra Smith 200+
l listened with considerable interest to the song you posted here and i felt it was quite profound but I do love poetry and even though I am 56, to me songs with rap are poetry. I think Emminem is also a poet.
this song is very sad must meaingful. We are the youth of a nation...........shouldn't we all be listening?
Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+
I love listening to songs espescially if they have a strong message and I must admit Eminem too has a lot of inspirational songs ...Though controversial , there is so much of passion and emotions involved in his songs....
So going forward, if we have artists who come up with songs that involve patriotism, peace , reform , it can do wonders for our current generation....
dean crawford
Well I don't see a whole lot of me or we in the global youth. I am not worried about them I don't believe we the generation between mine and there's can handle the pressure and the the hole thing will imploded. Please be advised that is the cheerful out look from me.
Debra Smith 200+
They are very talented and their strengths make them less likely to supercede another's sovereignty and consider them unable to take care of themselves. They are very compassionate- they simply reserve their charity for where it is really needed.
My vote is that they are generation WE.
Nathan Franklin
Mainly, the individuals who develop the ability to sort through the mass amounts of information and selectively process it in useful ways will be far more successful than their peers. Being able to process MORE information requires dramatic genetic changes in brain structure (something that would take several generations to accomplish). Processing the right information in the right way is much more feasible. That means that forgetting useless information is just as important as remembering and using useful information.
The internet (at least the information-sharing part of the internet) often gets portrayed as a haven for nerds, computer geeks and science buffs. But I suspect that the presence of the internet is actually CREATING more nerds, computer geeks and science buffs.
The youth of today have inherited genes and memes that were developed in a much different world. Those that are succeeding are those willing to reject the existing memes, leading to an increasing sense of rebellion--a rebellion that is both necessary and inevitable.
Gayle Kimball
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1952313,00.html
N SHR
Fritzie Reisner 100+
This would be a reasonable description of youth fify years ago and today.
Lance Shive