“Generation Q” - T. Friedman – 10/10/07

On Wednesday, Thomas Friedman penned an op-ed piece that is quite appropriate for the initial post here on Donkey Behind The Times. The column focuses on college age and other young (I’m assuming up to about 35 here) Americans and their methods of influencing the world. Generation Q, according to Friedman, means “the Quiet Americans, in the best sense of that term, quietly pursuing their idealism, at home and abroad.” The main thesis is that though our generation is idealistic and optimistic, we are failing to become as engaged (and enraged) as we should be on the political scene. I have to agree that our generation is seemingly abandoning the political arena for the opportunity to affect social change at a more micro level. We are guilty of promoting our ideas, thoughts and networks via the internet (irony point for me), in lieu of the old-timer method of grassroots organizing (As in, we can all stand together on the same grass and conduct an in your face protest – not join a defunct-on-creation Facebook group). We are also caught up in “grassroots” social behavioral change, by which I mean to lower CO2 emissions we change to fluorescent bulbs at home and buy a Prius. These methods are commendable and essential parts of improving the world, but unfortunately the most prolific changes need to be implemented from the top. This is not to say that the idea should (or is likely to) come from the top, but engaging and influencing politics can get our generational values injected into public policy. I am aware that the term “our generation” tacitly implies that we are all on the same page politically, which I am 100% sure is untrue. I do, however, believe that we are failing to address issues that will affect each and every twenty-something for the rest of our lives. Friedman points to three questions that “Generation Q” needs to be asking of political leaders:

“What is your plan for mitigating climate change? What is your plan for reforming Social Security? What is your plan for dealing with the deficit – so we all won’t be working for China in 20 years? America needs a jolt of the idealism, activism and outrage (it must be in there) of Generation Q. That’s what twentysomethings are for – to light a fire under the country.”

Word to your moms, Mr. Friedman! These three questions should be at or near the top of our “to fix” list. I also have to admit that I found the deprecating term, “Greediest Generation,” applied by Friedman to his own cohort to be an interesting choice of terminology – of which I concur to a great extent. They have left us with many debts to pay; the longer it takes for us to influence action the more interest is accumulating.

• PS: If you happen to be in the “Greediest Generation,” please don’t take this as a personal affront, there are numerous reasons that these failed policies have been created and promulgated. Instead of feeling berated by the young, consider engaging us – we aren’t as stupid as you think we are.