Generational Helots: February 2008

Why "Generational Helots"?

An NBC news story about "Generation ME" decrying the self-absorbtion and short-sighted consumerism of the young "Millenial" generation was follwed by an Ameritrade ad splicing shots of the 60s and a Boomer couple retiring in the southwest. Besides the fact that the ad's nostalgic take on the 6os seemed to equate the trascendent importance of screaming at the sight of the Beatles in Shea stadium with marching in Selma, growing long hair, smoking a joint and not bathing, what was really disturbing was the self-congratulatory assertion that this generation had "changed everything" and so their financial planning should be just as cool as they were... once.

The Helots were the enslaved people on whom the Ancient Spartans relied so that they could devote themselves full-time to military training. Others created wealth so they could serve the god of War. It seems that in the 20th century the two generations most assured of their greatness -the G.I.s who saved the world from evil, and the Boomers who made perpetual adolescence a philosphical movement- had also voted themslves a leisurely retirement, not to be paid for by slaves but by their descendents. In the 21st century, on the backs of the youth it seems that the Boomers will serve Bacchus. Generational Helots tries to explore this dynamic...

Generational Types

Idealist - Visionaries, can be virtuous mentors or vicious totalitarians imposing their vision. Concerned with spiritual or moral issues. (Missionary, 1860-62; Baby-Boomers 1943-60) Reactive - Practical. Can be the able generals implementing vision of elders, or can be cynical and mistrutful of visionary utopias. (Lost 1883-1900, Generation-X 1961-81) Civic- Group oriented, community minded. Can come together to create virtuous communities of voluntary cooperation or a vicious, blind herd following a demagogue. (G.I.s 1900-24; Millenials, 1982-2000) Adaptive - Humane. When the Civics build and establish institutions, Adaptives tend to be overshadowed but try to make those institutions more human and personal. Can also become "tired" and lead younger Idealists in revolt against institutions of Civics. (Silent 1925-42; New Adaptive, 2001-?)

Generational Helots

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

In the Coming Chaos Gen Xers Will Shine

Why "Generational Helots"?

Generational Types

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