Jul 1, 2022·edited Jul 1, 2022Liked by Robert Reich
Thank you Robert Reich for sharing. I respect and trust your knowledge, experiences and views. I’m reading, listening to your voice at 1:30 a.m. sleepless. When I first began reading/listening to you, almost daily, I heard a sense of history and optimism about the future or at least what we could do to “fix” it. But now I hear deep worry and discouragement. Is it too late? The Supreme Court packed by TFG and the repubs are destroying our Democracy. The most immoral and unethical people run the courts and Repub party. Destroying any chance of recovery for our Environment, for sane Gun laws, for women’s right to choose, reproductive rights, it’s a daily assault by crooks and mob rule. My biggest worry is for our children and grandchildren.
Thank you, Prof. Reich, for expressing so beautifully something that keeps me going through the darkest times - the hope that our kids and grandkids will do so much better than we did.
In my mid-40s, after 2 decades of volunteering, I'm about to start my formal training as a professional Youth Worker because I have always believed that our young people are our greatest natural resource.
Jul 1, 2022·edited Jul 1, 2022Liked by Robert Reich
I am no so quick to write off the accomplishments of our generation. Today’s BLM and LGBTQ+ movements rest on the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements of the 60s and 70s. Today’s climate activism echoes the Ecology Movement of our time too. Most significantly, just as the optimism of our parents’ post-war generation created our generation with our idealism and fight and accomplishments, we created the current generation with its. The reason they are so upset is because of the values we instilled in them.
Our generation had powerful and incumbent enemies to fight, and though we fell short of our own goals, we won a lot of very important battles against formidable forces, including the dominant culture and our own government.
Sadly, we didn’t win the war, so the current generation has to continue the fight. We now live in a darker time than the post-war era. Our kids have it worse than we did, which is amazing not only as an American first, but because, if you recall, we had it pretty bad.
I despair that we are not yet at the end of things getting worse before trending better again, but that is how history arcs. It sucks to be a young adult now, but that is not on those of us on this forum. It is on those not on this forum.
Our generation was not entirely made of good guys, but neither was it made entirely of bad guys. Right now, the bad guys are winning, and gloating in their new-found freedom to be bad guys without shame or consequences. It is disgusting, and horrifying, but it will not hold.
Eventually, enough people will be sufficiently fed up that change will come. It is infuriating that enough people do not currently seem to be that fed up with today’s evil-doers. Let’s not forget how many of today’s young adults protest-voted and non-voted Trump into power. Like our generation, and every generation, theirs is not all good guys.
The war is not over. We don’t condemn the soldiers who fought and lost for that fact. We condemn the enemy. The enemy is not “boomers”, it’s some specific people who have done some specific things. The details of who and what have been spelled out better by Prof Reich than by anyone else. I am profoundly sorry that the war is not over, and that the bad guys are currently winning, but the war isn’t over. We on this forum are not the reason for that.
It's the nature of time, life, the universe that there are always new twists to the way reality plays out. You probably made major dents in its direction. It all pays off. The only question is whether we have done what we could. I believe in a different sort of universe than most people. I don't see it in terms of God or No God. I see it in terms of the eventual rise of infinite varieties of life, from life on a subatomic scale out to the furthest folds of hidden dimensions, and I believe that the only reason we don't see it all around us is that this is our first exposure to it all and they, who have been here for eons, let us use this time, this little introductory period when there are no other influences upon us other than those natural to our environment, and they watch what we make of ourselves and of our times. They learn from this about our character and what to expect from us over the coming eons. What we experience after death — a problem that all that other life conquered a long time ago, trust me! — is largely dependent on what we make of ourselves now. So is it the time of the young? Yes. But if you've used your time wisely and well, all time is yours from here on. You often ask if we are optimistic or hopeful. I would say that I am. I am glad you are too. Best not to lose sight of that. There is an infinite future in front of us, once we get over that little road bump of the first life.
The question is, given the current struggles both politically and socially, do we have enough people willing to change things for the better? We can’t forget the massive amount of people under the Trumpism spell, and I’m not naïve enough to think it will die with him. Many children grow up with their parents ideals and I fear not enough have the will to break the cycle and think for themselves.
I spent a career in public service. Actually, multiple careers in public service. I am now a retired septuagenarian. I recall our parents’ generation expressing similar angst about the future. We did not do so bad. Could we have done better? Sure. But we…made a difference across so many domains. While I still involve myself in philanthropic activities…I recognize that it is time for the next generation to enter the stage. As for the comment that “the old generation doesn’t let us put our foot in the door”…you have to push the door. It will open but be prepared to act…and make a difference.
"Occasionally I’m haunted by an overwhelming sense of failure — not just my own failure but my entire generation’s failure."
The first time this hit me really hard was when Russia attacked Ukraine. I still remember when the Wall came down, the sense of optimism that was around. 30 years later we live on a dying planet and even make things worse by fighting senseless wars.
Thank you Robert Reich! You have used your intelligence, education and talents to make a difference for humanity. There is no question in my mind that you could have been one of todays 900 plus American billionaires buying, selling and, controlling politicians but, you chose to serve rather than be served. And yes, the next generation need all of the encouragement we can give them.
It really is that simple. Human nature as in “Nature” goes through cycles. The season’s. As I sit here looking at the Day Lillies we planted in April I remember the same ground covered with ice and snow just 2 months prior. Mother Nature, our planet our home will never let us down. This reality humbles the beast eventually. Old age reveals many stories. As the Redwoods continue to live on in their silence they are examples to the young seedlings about which they will become.
I feel the same sense of failure in spite of a lifetime of work. We have to remember that the seeds we planted take time to grow into maturity. The blooms and fruit will come, whether we are here to see them or not.
I agree. We of this generation have made a royal mess of things I am sad to say. How did we get to this point? I am afraid that we just didn't bother to get involved enough or soon enough. Possibly we were just too polite to the rowdies.
The shortest response to those students: If not you, then who? You may never have a better opportunity to discover how creative and inspiring you can be.
Thank you Robert Reich for sharing. I respect and trust your knowledge, experiences and views. I’m reading, listening to your voice at 1:30 a.m. sleepless. When I first began reading/listening to you, almost daily, I heard a sense of history and optimism about the future or at least what we could do to “fix” it. But now I hear deep worry and discouragement. Is it too late? The Supreme Court packed by TFG and the repubs are destroying our Democracy. The most immoral and unethical people run the courts and Repub party. Destroying any chance of recovery for our Environment, for sane Gun laws, for women’s right to choose, reproductive rights, it’s a daily assault by crooks and mob rule. My biggest worry is for our children and grandchildren.
I’m 76 and I’m not about to feel my time is over. Robert, you were right to encourage the young students, of course. But I’m not obsolete.
Thank you, Prof. Reich, for expressing so beautifully something that keeps me going through the darkest times - the hope that our kids and grandkids will do so much better than we did.
In my mid-40s, after 2 decades of volunteering, I'm about to start my formal training as a professional Youth Worker because I have always believed that our young people are our greatest natural resource.
I am no so quick to write off the accomplishments of our generation. Today’s BLM and LGBTQ+ movements rest on the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements of the 60s and 70s. Today’s climate activism echoes the Ecology Movement of our time too. Most significantly, just as the optimism of our parents’ post-war generation created our generation with our idealism and fight and accomplishments, we created the current generation with its. The reason they are so upset is because of the values we instilled in them.
Our generation had powerful and incumbent enemies to fight, and though we fell short of our own goals, we won a lot of very important battles against formidable forces, including the dominant culture and our own government.
Sadly, we didn’t win the war, so the current generation has to continue the fight. We now live in a darker time than the post-war era. Our kids have it worse than we did, which is amazing not only as an American first, but because, if you recall, we had it pretty bad.
I despair that we are not yet at the end of things getting worse before trending better again, but that is how history arcs. It sucks to be a young adult now, but that is not on those of us on this forum. It is on those not on this forum.
Our generation was not entirely made of good guys, but neither was it made entirely of bad guys. Right now, the bad guys are winning, and gloating in their new-found freedom to be bad guys without shame or consequences. It is disgusting, and horrifying, but it will not hold.
Eventually, enough people will be sufficiently fed up that change will come. It is infuriating that enough people do not currently seem to be that fed up with today’s evil-doers. Let’s not forget how many of today’s young adults protest-voted and non-voted Trump into power. Like our generation, and every generation, theirs is not all good guys.
The war is not over. We don’t condemn the soldiers who fought and lost for that fact. We condemn the enemy. The enemy is not “boomers”, it’s some specific people who have done some specific things. The details of who and what have been spelled out better by Prof Reich than by anyone else. I am profoundly sorry that the war is not over, and that the bad guys are currently winning, but the war isn’t over. We on this forum are not the reason for that.
It's the nature of time, life, the universe that there are always new twists to the way reality plays out. You probably made major dents in its direction. It all pays off. The only question is whether we have done what we could. I believe in a different sort of universe than most people. I don't see it in terms of God or No God. I see it in terms of the eventual rise of infinite varieties of life, from life on a subatomic scale out to the furthest folds of hidden dimensions, and I believe that the only reason we don't see it all around us is that this is our first exposure to it all and they, who have been here for eons, let us use this time, this little introductory period when there are no other influences upon us other than those natural to our environment, and they watch what we make of ourselves and of our times. They learn from this about our character and what to expect from us over the coming eons. What we experience after death — a problem that all that other life conquered a long time ago, trust me! — is largely dependent on what we make of ourselves now. So is it the time of the young? Yes. But if you've used your time wisely and well, all time is yours from here on. You often ask if we are optimistic or hopeful. I would say that I am. I am glad you are too. Best not to lose sight of that. There is an infinite future in front of us, once we get over that little road bump of the first life.
The question is, given the current struggles both politically and socially, do we have enough people willing to change things for the better? We can’t forget the massive amount of people under the Trumpism spell, and I’m not naïve enough to think it will die with him. Many children grow up with their parents ideals and I fear not enough have the will to break the cycle and think for themselves.
So ashamed of my generation who made a huge fuss in the 60’s but didn’t do the real heavy lifting. Shame on us we knew better.
I spent a career in public service. Actually, multiple careers in public service. I am now a retired septuagenarian. I recall our parents’ generation expressing similar angst about the future. We did not do so bad. Could we have done better? Sure. But we…made a difference across so many domains. While I still involve myself in philanthropic activities…I recognize that it is time for the next generation to enter the stage. As for the comment that “the old generation doesn’t let us put our foot in the door”…you have to push the door. It will open but be prepared to act…and make a difference.
"Occasionally I’m haunted by an overwhelming sense of failure — not just my own failure but my entire generation’s failure."
The first time this hit me really hard was when Russia attacked Ukraine. I still remember when the Wall came down, the sense of optimism that was around. 30 years later we live on a dying planet and even make things worse by fighting senseless wars.
Thank you Robert Reich! You have used your intelligence, education and talents to make a difference for humanity. There is no question in my mind that you could have been one of todays 900 plus American billionaires buying, selling and, controlling politicians but, you chose to serve rather than be served. And yes, the next generation need all of the encouragement we can give them.
It really is that simple. Human nature as in “Nature” goes through cycles. The season’s. As I sit here looking at the Day Lillies we planted in April I remember the same ground covered with ice and snow just 2 months prior. Mother Nature, our planet our home will never let us down. This reality humbles the beast eventually. Old age reveals many stories. As the Redwoods continue to live on in their silence they are examples to the young seedlings about which they will become.
I feel the same sense of failure in spite of a lifetime of work. We have to remember that the seeds we planted take time to grow into maturity. The blooms and fruit will come, whether we are here to see them or not.
Yes, it is our time but the old generation doesnt let us put our foot in the door .
I hope many of us can become like Pete Buttigieg.
Yes! Our youngest generation. We must do all we can to empower, promote and listen to them - across all boundaries and origins.
With my last breath . .
I agree. We of this generation have made a royal mess of things I am sad to say. How did we get to this point? I am afraid that we just didn't bother to get involved enough or soon enough. Possibly we were just too polite to the rowdies.
The shortest response to those students: If not you, then who? You may never have a better opportunity to discover how creative and inspiring you can be.