Generation We

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vknHKTy1MLY

One of YouTube's most active recent video uploads. As it seems, the title refers to a book with the same name, arguing that "Generation We", which encompasses everyone born from 1978 to 2000, will have the power to "change" the world towards more positive notions by ... using the state.

"We are the largest demographic group in the United States. And once unified, we can control America's political landscape."

Of course, since it's already called "Generation We", the proposed aims of this generation are no less collectivist. "Social justice", "save the planet", "restore the educational system" and literally every other pipe dream of the retiring statist generation is being sold to the youth in a slightly repackaged way.

That video gave me cold chills. If it really becomes some sort of manifesto for the young generation, we'll be rolling down the hill in 5th gear.

Sphairon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vknHKTy1MLY

One of YouTube's most active recent video uploads. As it seems, the title refers to a book with the same name, arguing that "Generation We", which encompasses everyone born from 1978 to 2000, will have the power to "change" the world towards more positive notions by ... using the state.

"We are the largest demographic group in the United States. And once unified, we can control America's political landscape."

Of course, since it's already called "Generation We", the proposed aims of this generation are no less collectivist. "Social justice", "save the planet", "restore the educational system" and literally every other pipe dream of the retiring statist generation is being sold to the youth in a slightly repackaged way.

That video gave me cold chills. If it really becomes some sort of manifesto for the young generation, we'll be rolling down the hill in 5th gear.

It's a matter of perspective, but obviously something to worry about regarding collectivism.  Personally, I think this "Generation We" (I thought it, or rather, we, were called Generation Me?  I guess that wasn't catchy enough, or something...) is probably far more open to something resembling Panarchy than previous generations.

This middle of the road, bourgeois socialism is old and boring. It's also failing right now.

Wow; Straight out of Ayn Rand's, Anthem.   

Sphairon:

That video gave me cold chills. If it really becomes some sort of manifesto for the young generation, we'll be rolling down the hill in 5th gear.

Seems an obvious sociological fact to me. If something is constant in history is that these kinds of cycles replace one another. The individualistic cycle perhaps got over its lifetime and now this collective new cycle is coming into birth. It is not surprisin at all.

mr_anonymous:

Wow; Straight out of Ayn Rand's, Anthem.   

Ironic that the state has seen fit to expose me to the philosophy of Ayn Rand and her anti-collectivist literature.

If anyone needs cheering up, see the 'The Real "Generation We"' vid in the Related Videos list and learn the real reason people vote (it's because they're stupid).

Makes me happy to be old...

On a more serious note it's the ancient notion of "old men" sending "young men" out to die to further their interests. Do you think Al Gore and Prince Charles would burn down a coal plant or sink a trawler in person?

But there's another thing to consider. Back when I was moving my first steps in politics, being part of the school council (send me to be hung and quartered) I first met a category of young people who would really believe that by "infiltrating the System" or "working from within" they could accomplish much. Many of these former youths are now fully-fledged politicians, mostly concerned with social, educational and enviromental issues. Are they seriously convinced that they "can" (to use a very popular verb) or are they simply Lenin's useful idiots? Whatever the issue they are the most virulent enemies of civil liberties and individual freedom.

Kakugo:

Makes me happy to be old...

I am happy to be a young, active member of Generation We. With a long life ahead to implement social, educational and environmenta changes to the world!

Nitroadict:

It's a matter of perspective, but obviously something to worry about regarding collectivism.  Personally, I think this "Generation We" (I thought it, or rather, we, were called Generation Me?  I guess that wasn't catchy enough, or something...) is probably far more open to something resembling Panarchy than previous generations.

While the young generation may indeed be more open-minded towards such endeavors, the linked YouTube video doesn't really embrace any comparable ideas. As a matter of fact, it's stressing "Generation We"'s "non-partisan", "globally oriented" character backed by a large amount of (non-dissenting) manpower.

Doesn't sound like anarchist utopia to me, to be honest.

Rubén:

Seems an obvious sociological fact to me. If something is constant in history is that these kinds of cycles replace one another. The individualistic cycle perhaps got over its lifetime and now this collective new cycle is coming into birth. It is not surprisin at all.

That's fallacious, I think. Even if your assumption were true, the "war on terror" has most likely replaced rugged individualism with a belief in strong state governance which is another form of collectivism. "Generation We" merely replaces the face of the collective, it's no real paradigm shift.

Rubén:

I am happy to be a young, active member of Generation We. With a long life ahead to implement social, educational and environmenta changes to the world!

As long as you achieve these goals by means of voluntary cooperation, you have my full support. But I'm afraid "Generation We" emphasizes the need for political action which is the polar opposite of progress - most often, it is the root cause of problems, not its solution.

On a side note, I understand you're living in Venezuela, right? Do you think the Chavez presidency has brought any positive developments into action? I often hear socialist politicians in my country adore the man, so I'd like to hear from someone who has first-hand experience.

My opinion:

POSITIVE: Free medications for HIV patients, decrease in the rate of starvation, increase in disposable income for the lowest income bracket, sense of hope of belonging given to a part of the population that always felt marginalized.

NEGATIVE: Corruption, waste, exclusion, mismanagement, non-transparency of elections, emigration of the most educated people, inflation, unemployment, overdependency of the economy on oil, tense diplomatic relations with our two main trade partners, which are Colombia and the USA, hospitals and public education of even worse quality than ever before, gift of our resources to other countries as an export of the revolutions when there are so many needs locally unmet.

My conclusion: The current polarization benefits no one and ultimately helps the regime to be entrenched in power.

There is no such thing as a free good that requires labour and resources to produce.

I hear this argument by Canadians all of the time about their free health care.

It is not free, it is stolen from someone else through taxation and provided to people who cannot afford it.

Why can't they afford it?  Because the free market is not allowed competition to drive down prices and increase quality.  There is a reason why I sit 1 hour in a Doctor's waiting room (with an appointment), but my Dentist gets me into his office within 1 minute of my appointment time.  One is state provided, one is market provided.  The differences (and pricing) are dramatic.

Kudos to Lew Rockwell for the example, which I had also noticed, but hadn't though to share until he did.

I should add, the "free stuff" mentality is characteristic of "Generation We" due to their economic ignorance and lack of moral fiber.  I'm not sure that liberty has to always lead to despotism, and then back again, but there is something to be said that the excesses of credit manipulation and the outsourcing of inflation have created multiple generations of people who believe that life owes them something material just by virtue of their existence.

Examples,

Health Care as a right.  Education as a right.  A "fair wage" as a right.  A House as a right.  Transportation as a right.

Political power, as a right.

I like your thinking liberty student. I'm 30 years old, graduated with my Master's in Political Economy in 2004 and have been working in the energy sector. I work at a coal fired power plant so I'm part of the evil destroyers of the planet, manipulators of the economy and thief of winter heat for senior citizens and low income peoples. I have conversations with public sector employees semi-regularly and I always get the same reaction, "Oh, you're one of those people who are squeezing the little guy." My usual reaction is simply, "If you're so idealistic, cut your power lines and light a f'n candle..." The sooner we get over the belief that these items you reference are not rights, the sooner we get back to liberty. Unfortunately, the state of our public schools and the collectivist attitudes of those teaching them will prohibit this for a long time...

Richard, thanks for the kind words.

I really believe we have to start standing up for ourselves, and pushing back.  Instead of being characterized by the universally ignorant, we should be put out their hypocrisies and dangerous attitudes.

What we have on our side, is the truth.  It's very simple that no one owes anyone else anything, and scarcity exists.  From that point on, we just have to find better ways to articulate ourselves.

But I for one no longer (on or offline) tolerate the sort of nonsense I hear from so many people.  And maybe I am a big bad guy for wanting to be free and sovereign.  If the truth is evil, than I am a bad person.

wii.com ?

I think it's to early for generalizations. After all, those who were born in 2000 are still kids.

But, if we're talking about Western middle class youth, than yes, I'd have to say that's probably the most pampered generation in history. They grew up during time of relative stability and prosperity, but generally spoiled by the parents and don't appreciate the availability of materials goods that a large part of the world's population still don't have access to. They're technologically savvy and can get information from different sources, which is a good thing, but they seem to care more about entertainment and celebrity gossip than about freedom and government tyranny. Those who are more politically active are typically more socialist (progressives) and want to save the world's problems by taxing the rich and the companies and givining away "free things" to the poor. And I don't really blame them: after all, they went to the public schools with government and socialist propaganda K-12. I think during global economic/political/social/technological breakdown this generation is going to be practically useless because 90% wouldn't be able to mend their clothes or cook a simple meal without the help of modern technology (or maybe even with it).

Sphairon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vknHKTy1MLY

One of YouTube's most active recent video uploads. As it seems, the title refers to a book with the same name, arguing that "Generation We", which encompasses everyone born from 1978 to 2000, will have the power to "change" the world towards more positive notions by ... using the state.

"We are the largest demographic group in the United States. And once unified, we can control America's political landscape."

Of course, since it's already called "Generation We", the proposed aims of this generation are no less collectivist. "Social justice", "save the planet", "restore the educational system" and literally every other pipe dream of the retiring statist generation is being sold to the youth in a slightly repackaged way.

That video gave me cold chills. If it really becomes some sort of manifesto for the young generation, we'll be rolling down the hill in 5th gear.

 

I agree with R. Kelly, I would much rather be a member of generation Pee than generation We.

 

Jonathan:

Sphairon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vknHKTy1MLY

One of YouTube's most active recent video uploads. As it seems, the title refers to a book with the same name, arguing that "Generation We", which encompasses everyone born from 1978 to 2000, will have the power to "change" the world towards more positive notions by ... using the state.

"We are the largest demographic group in the United States. And once unified, we can control America's political landscape."

Of course, since it's already called "Generation We", the proposed aims of this generation are no less collectivist. "Social justice", "save the planet", "restore the educational system" and literally every other pipe dream of the retiring statist generation is being sold to the youth in a slightly repackaged way.

That video gave me cold chills. If it really becomes some sort of manifesto for the young generation, we'll be rolling down the hill in 5th gear.

 

I agree with R. Kelly, I would much rather be a member of generation Pee than generation We.

 

ba dum bum

:crowd gasps:

too soon?

Rubén:

POSITIVE: Free medications for HIV patients,

That's just stupid.  Giving subsidized drugs of extremely questionable efficacy to people who've permanently compromised their immune systems?  Why don't you just make a big pile of dollars and burn them.  People can warm themselves or cook food at least.

You'd get a lot more bang for your buck handing out folic acid and iodide supplements and applying DDT.