Our Children (Our Saviours?)

There are two themes that I have frequently heard being discussed in a variety of forums. Both these subjects are such that almost everyone has a view, if not a strong opinion. However, what ‘I’ find unique about these themes is that instead of polarizing people and generating heated debate, the vast majority of individuals tend to agree with each other.

Theme One

Theme one, at a Macro level is about our collective future be it as a race, or the world or even the economy. Most people tend to hold a more pessimistic view - would you not agree? Whether it is modern technology leading us astray or life in general, the consensus is that it is getting worse day by day. Natural resources like oil, food and water are running out, crime and violence are on the rise and geo-political tensions could lead to a global confabulation. People have lost their moral compass. The divide between the haves and the have-nots is the widest it has ever been. So, whether it is in the physical realm, or on the spiritual side the consensus is that mankind is on a slippery slope and gathering steam downwards. The Devil is in our backyard and reaping a golden harvest. On this issue let us be honest- the Bears rule the roost!

If you do not want to take my word for it, just ask around – conduct your own poll!

I have already covered this in some of my previous blogs, and hence will not elaborate further. Else this particular blog will not only get repetitive, but long as well.

Theme Two

Theme two at a more Micro level is the almost universal adulation of the next generation. Here, almost everyone I know is an optimist. Whether they are commending the virtues of their own kids or talking in general about this digital cohort, there is almost total unanimity in their refrain about children being smarter, quicker and better. You know what I mean - right? On this issue there is absolute agreement that the coming generation is nothing short of astonishing. Whether it is the adoption of new technologies, abundance of talent, or the development of their mind, body and soul - they have it all.

Ask any parent, and their faces will positively light-up as they extoll with pride the various skills and abilities of their children. They will not hesitate to tell you that their children are light years ahead than they were, at a similar age or stage of development.

Or better still - ask a grand-parent. Just listen to two grandmothers compare notes on their respective grandchildren! When they took the first step, spoke the first word, or their absolute mastery of the TV and the iPad. These two generations are separated by a huge digital divide. One finds virtual reality as anathema to their existence, whereas the other assumes it to be a natural extension of their environment. Seeing a child who has no fear of an iPhone or a Laptop (nor the compunction to destroy them, if allowed) is awe inspiring to them. The fact that a two year old can unerringly press the correct (large red) button on a remote to start the TV, is to them incontrovertible proof of a higher intelligence.

Myself, having just squeezed into the Baby boomer (and obviously dimmer) generation, find that I struggle to reconcile these two. To me they seem to be self-contradictory or mutually exclusive - but let me explain why.

The Conundrum

So, on the one hand there is a collective “feeling” that the future is dark and nasty and distinctly dystopian.

And on the other, an absolute conviction that our children (our collective future) are not only more brilliant, but also more gifted and talented. Whether it is in the humanities or the sciences, the social or the physical, they are more confident, vocal and passionate, and definitely more responsible than their parents. With the benefit of better and wider-spread education our progeny are more attuned to the environment and our responsibilities as a species.

 

Five and seven year olds will prepare homework assignments, and present compelling evidence, on the deteriorating environment and our generations failure to live up to our collective responsibilities. Teens will lecture about ethics and social governance, about unbridled greed and our ignorance about the impact of our decadent habits on this planet.    

Hence putting the two together, could not one then deduce that this next generation will not only live upto these challenges and nullify our concerns, but exceed all expectations and in doing so make the world a better place?

Since we are indeed lucky to have so many prodigies, geniuses and wunderkinds in our midst, would it not then follow-on that the problems will be solved?

 

Will not their combined capabilities and talents ensure the development and discovery of new ways to tackle all the problems that humanity faces?

If we consider that a generation of laggards and hippies put a man on the moon, gave the world the Green Revolution, Personal Computers, the Internet, and the iPhone among many many others (a lot of them while dropping out of college), I can only conjecture as to what the next more obviously gifted and infinitely more educated generation will get to this party.

There is where I am confused, because I see a huge disconnect between these Macro and Micro views. But, if someone can connect the dots and let me know what I am missing, I would be most grateful.