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Mike Musker

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The new generation: should we take control?

The previous generations have helpfully created economic and environmental crises which they won't end up having to fix, we will. I'm fed up of the excuses they make up and the attempts to force the world to return to how it was when they were younger because it's never going to be that way and they'll only create more trouble. I think they've had their chance and they've not delivered.

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Topics: education next generation
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  • Mike Musker

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    Dec 12 2012: That is the crux of my argument, should we not therefore be allowed to use that energy and that more political standing rather than have it squandered during the years of education and the turbulent time between education and employment?
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Dec 13 2012: Mike,
      In my perception, energy is not "squandered" with education. One can choose to use his/her energy however s/he wants. We can participate in educational programs AND AT THE SAME TIME participate in the political processes.

      When was the last time you attended a meeting of the governing board in your community or region?
      You are "allowed" to do that at any time my friend:>)
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        Fritzie Reisner 100+

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        Dec 13 2012: Ah, Colleen. But you value education, critical thinking, honest self-scrutiny, and participation with people who bring to decisions a variety of experiences and views. You are not about seeking control or power for yourself or your peer group on the basis of a presumption of greater merit.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Dec 13 2012: Thanks for noticing that Fritzie!

          I believe education embraces critical thinking, honest self-scrutiny and participation with ALL people, both in and out of the formal educational systems:>)

          I am "about" encouraging genuine "power" in and for everyone, and that includes learning, growing, and evolving with information from many different sources:>)

          For me, there was no "time between education and employment" because I was gainfully employed at age 13. That was part of my education and part of my life exploration, which continues to this day, and will continue until I take my last breath on this earth school:>)
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        Fritzie Reisner 100+

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        Dec 13 2012: There is another aspect to this also, which may be connected to your upbringing, as well as working early. I have never sensed from you a sense of entitlement beyond everyone's right and responsibility to participate in formal and informal civic work.

        There is both joy and value in terms of outcome in investing time and energy in enhancing our abilities to contribute constructively with others. We will experiment and make mistakes despite preparation and good intentions but make more mistakes and more serious ones if we just guess without developing such capacity.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Dec 13 2012: Thank you again Fritzie....you are very perceptive. The ONLY thing I believe I am "entitled" to, is that which I have earned. I feel "entitled" to have the knowledge I have, because I have spent time and effort to gain knowledge. I feel "entitled" to have contentment in my life because I have taken the risks and felt the pain of discontent.

          I totally agree with you that there is both joy and value in terms of "spending" time and energy enhancing our abilities, while at the same time, contributing constructively to the whole. This is when our work, play, education, contribution, learning, growth, evolution, etc. all intersect.

          Mike suggests that the younger people take control because we older folks have made so many mistakes. Honestly Fritzie, I feel that I have contributed, so his perception doesn't feel that good to me. How does it feel to you?
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        Fritzie Reisner 100+

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        Dec 13 2012: Honestly, Colleen, I don't see it as the result of thoughtful analysis- just one still young person's bias and lack of attention to, or understanding of, a complex context. What disappoints me more than broad blaming postures is when people of any age discount the value of educating themselves or really listening to others. BUT I find most young people I have come across to be broad-minded, inquiring, and team-spirited! And I work daily with twenty-somethings, so I see a lot of them closely. I feel good about what I know so many will offer and the attitudes they will bring to it.
        And while open-mindedness is a personality trait, research shows it can be cultivated purposefully. Meta-cognitive capabilities (recognizing what you understand well and what you don't) are definitely developmental and will improve naturally and the more so with attention to them and for those with reflective inclination or practice. So I am optimistic about the potential of the young. As with every generation, there are and will be thoughtful leaders among them as well as those who are not likely to play that role.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Dec 14 2012: I wholeheartedly agree Fritzie....I am very impressed and encouraged by the insightful young people I've encountered both within and outside formal educational systems, and right here on TED. There are many younger people throughout our world who are already contributing beneficially to our world:>)

          I also agree that open-mindedness can be cultivated, and part of nurturing that trait is recognizing what we understand well, and what we may not understand as well as we think we do. I also believe it can be nurtured by recognizing the choices we have regarding how we think, feel, act and react, which all goes back to attention, awareness, and the choices we make. Good communication, with clear goals and intent is also a part of cognitive self change which can be nurtured.

          I am also optimistic about our future, because I see many of these qualities exhibited here on TED by lots of younger people. Whatever "role" we (humans) are playing in the life adventure at any given time is a choice. It helps to be mindfully aware of what choices we make.... why, when, where and with whom:>)

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