If you're at a low point in your hope cycle, seriously doubting that we have the energy or brains or tenacity or resources to take America back (and are they any of us who haven't been there?), spend some time with a connected activist under 30. I was with four of them recently at a Reuniting America Conference near D.C. Picked me right up.
Some of them recently came together to put forward what they call Democracy 2.o. I want you to see their brief and clear statement.
What's clear beyond their passion is their connectedness, an indispensable quality for a people wanting their country back. We Boomers have much less of it. Could it just be we have something to learn here?
If you're inspired you can contact a key Democracy 2.0 organizer at maya@mobilize.org.
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So what I think I'm hearing is that in your experience people over thirty don't seem to have as much passion over the idea of taking America back or changing the world/future. Reading this statement from this Democracy 2 group tells me that this passion is centered on understanding the problem and committing to solving it collectively. So people over thirty do not seem to understand the problem, commit to it collectively and therefore have less hope. So being aware of this younger group and listening to them might really help bring hope to the older people...is this right?
No, Anonymous, that's not how I'd put it. What impresses me as the difference between over- and under-30s (remembering , of, course, that all of this is generalization) is the steady, consistent connectedness of the younger set They are (generally) i-messaging, texting, My-Spacing or just hanging together in a way that says to me that they feel more connected, and think and act in more solidarity, than my generation (Boomers) do. I think that has advantages for avoiding despair sustaining activism to Take America Back.
That's the only difference I'm pointing out right now. thanks
I see, I did not quite get what you were trying to say. You generally see that this under thirty group has a way of staying connected that is enhanced by new technologies and they are together more. This creates an environment of hope for this general group, where the over thirty group does not generally have a way or does not create a way to engender this hopeful place of activism. This advantage will really help to Take America Back which in general can give us all hope, and that is very inspiring no matter your age.
Did I get it right now?
Yes, that's pretty close, Anonymous. And it connects to my belief that we can only keep up hope and momentum in an enterprise this daunting if we stay together. For the most part desperate hopeless people are isolated cut-off people. We need to stay connected to remember that what we want is possible, and under-30s, IMO, are doing that better than over-30s. Jeff
I think I fully understand your point now.
I agree that it seems older activists do not see or create the inherent value of keeping connected with others who share their passion, I have direct experience of that. I did not consider before how much this can impact one's sense of hope but that makes perfect sense in reflection because that seems to be the nature of humans, to work together. I did not realize specifically that the under thirty group was fostering this connection, and that is inspiring.
I think that to broadly generalize, anyone at or below 30 right now has had computers and Internet like technology for most of their adolescent lives, I'm just above 30 and I've been using computers to connect/stay connected for the past 16 years.
As a means of communication and dialogue, there is a synergy between texting, IMing, emailing, blogging and web sites that hasn't really existed in any kind of open forum before to the degree that it does now, and it makes sense that individuals who have more prolonged exposure to technology are using it more and more to connect in different ways.
I think the web/blogs/internet/etc have also allowed individuals to access large amounts of differing and disparate opinions on the fly at an alarming rate, and in my own experience this has only helped me to educate myself and help formulate my own opinions and ideas.
Who is going to be the first candidate to text message to potential voters rather than the usual automated phone call?? I think it's going to happen in the next election.
Are you saying dan that the general reality of being born into this technological synergy and then having it in your life creates a different kind of human experience? Also are you saying that this will eventually make it into the mainstream political arena and open doors to this younger more connected group? Also are you hinting that this new development is very meaningful to our collective political future?
Anon, in essence that is what I am saying. The way information is being distributed now is changing and in turn that is creating a completely different forum for communication not only in the United States but in the world.
Al Gore kind of touched upon it in "The Assault on Reason" in the sense that the "internet" will enable people to share/exchange ideas in a way that is beneficial for democratic discourse.
The "Youtube debates" were a good example of politicians and mass-media trying to somehow make sense of what is going on with new media even though I thought that in implementation is came off as very gimmicky and silly, artists/celebrities are now doing "live" appearances on something called SecondLife, which is for all practical purposes an online game and I think we will probably continue to see things like that happening.
I don't think that "youth" predisposes one to be more connected to technology or be more connected in general, but I think younger generations have been forced to grasp technology at an earlier age and adapt to technological advances more quickly than those of us that are 30-50 would have and because if that they are able to grasp/adopt new tech more quickly than those of us who haven't had to do that.
And I think as technology continues to advance, and as information is distributed in a more "fast and loose" fashion the political climate and the sociological climate will continue to change.
dan, I think I hear you saying that what informs us is also allowing us to communicate, and that is very different from the one way exchange of the past. I also hear you point out that this is a very new, fast and loose form for learning from and connecting with others and sharing information or ideas in the world. I also think you are saying that Online forums like youtube etc, are key first steps towards this development, that though imperfect are the awkward beginnings of this new way. You also let me know that this technology is not specific to youth but rather youth to technology. So I'm guessing older individuals, though less likely to, can learn and participate in this arena. So the youth get the expected advantage of being born into the time of technology. It also sounds like you think technology will reach a saturation point that will greatly influence our political and social patterns.
Am I understanding you?
Loud and clear, Anonymous!
BUT, I don't think age precludes ANYONE from participating in more technologically driven discussion. New technology can be intimidating to anyone, but at the same time, individuals that want to be a part of technological innovations will figure out a way to use it and get to some kind of comfort level with it kind of like the way someone that is used to listening to vinyl records will get an MP3 player if they really want one.
I think technology has changed us on a socialogical level, and it's beginning to work it's way into our political process.
For example, I just logged into CNN.com and did a quick online poll of "What's your opinion of Al Gore?" and "Should Al Gore run for president?"
and receieved instant results as to how the rest of people polled responded. That would have been unheard of 15 years ago, so that in itself is pretty crazy.
Imagine what we could do with that kind of information/response on any issue that's important to voters?
I think that's pretty cool!
I think you have an important insight into this new human dynamic dan.
I realize that I have already started to take this form of communication for granted!
When I take any thing for granted, I loose sight of it's greater meaning.
Realizing how valuable this is for a new political process might get missed and actions that would result might never occur.
Thank you for sharing dan, I'm going to check my conscious process when I participate to make sure I have your points on reference.
Dan and anon-- thanks for breathing the first life into this blog. I haven't promosted it anywhere and--surprise!--it's getting little comment. If you like what you're reading I hope you'll tell friends about it.
best and thanks to you both--
I am unhappy with our state of Democracy. But if we could get corporate money out of elections and initiate proportional representation and instant runoff voting, I would be much happier with the system that brings the 'Tyranny of the Majority.' Once that happens, then we can address unbridled Capitalism.
Glad you mentioned "any age", Dan.
At 70, having used a computer for many years but still so technologically naive that I had to figure out through trial and error with the selections button that I had to join Google in order to post my first response on this blog (re Swami), I'm in.
Little by little, we do catch on...
I've tried other discussions over the past few years, and am pleasantly surprised to find thoughtful posts here, as opposed to rants, insults, and so on.
This, in itself, contributes to my hopes. Thank you.
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