YouthBuzz™ Blog

The Greater Debate

Back in 1921, two gray-haired astronomers in bespoke suits argued over the shape of the universe in what became known as “The Great Debate.” Eighty seven years later, two (also gray-haired) thinkers are disagreeing with enough fervor to warrant the title again.  The Greater Debate, as I’m calling it, centers around one question: what of these so-called Millenials?  Are they the worldly, hyper-informed, socially-gifted leader of men that some claim?  Or are they, as one professor puts it, “The Dumbest Generation,” sure to hasten the sinking of the US’s already water-filled ship?

If you have an hour and a half to spend on the topic (and who doesn’t?), I highly recommend watching the CSPAN-sponsored debate held at the American Enterprise Institute between Mark Bauerlein and Neil Howe.  Mark Bauerlein, a somewhat Grinch-like character, is a 49-year old professor of English at Emory University.  His polemically titled book, The Dumbest Generation, posits that social networking, constant connectivity and low ambition are threatening to ruin an entire generation. Neil Howe, a youth consultant and speaker, sees things a different way.  His book, Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation, suggests that most signs are pointing up.  This generation is set to be one of the healthiest, wealthiest, least violent and best educated in human history.

The debate is a great one.  It’s overflowing with demographic data and (sometimes spurious-sounding) factoids that make it an hour and a half well spent.  Since there’s not much you actually need to see, I recommend putting the streaming video on in the background while reading emails.  (See, you too can be like the always multi-tasking Millenials!)  Of course, I’ve written many times — as recently as yesterday — about my steadfast faith in this rising generation.  Years and years in the trenches, getting to know Gen-Y-ers on their turf, has left me eager to see what this able, creative generation brings to the table.  With that said, it’s a topic I can’t hear enough about — even if I know I’m not necessarily going to agree with the conclusion.

So, click your way to the archived video at CSPAN, and take part in The Greater Debate, 2009-style!  (Thanks also to Derek Baird at Barking Robot, a blog we all read regularly here, for alerting us to the debate.)

Merry Tuesday,

The YM Team