I appreciate Joshua in being so open about his experience which selflessly speaks for young people everywhere. As a mom I noticed there was not much chance for kids to join together for unstructured and unsupervised play. I noticed that school sports are way too competitive and coached by many who were living their youth again thru others. They only wanted the stars. The benched the average and those with less athletic skill overall. But they got in the way of playing. Kids want to play. Parents and coaches and the expensive summer camps are focused on winning and scoring and exceling. So where do kids play?
In my day we played boys, girls, every age at the corner park. We had a bat and a ball, and maybe one of us had a glove, or not; and we just played for hours until we heard the voice of a parent calling us home. Those connections however were the benefit. Drama is different in that all are welcome, but that is only if you ace the audition. There are barriers to "kids playing" everywhere.
What I do is always give some kindness or a smile or a word of encouragement to any young person who crosses my path. Yesterday I did what I also do often when I can if it can be done seamlessly. While I waited there was a dad with his three kids enjoying pizza, the kids were enjoying the food and giggling while their dad a young man quietly oversaw it all. As I passed by leaving with my order I stopped to say, "Don't want to intrude, but you have a beautiful family." Mature today and aware of the pain and challenges young people and families deal with every day, I try to interject a kindness or recognition to young people and families as I go thru my day.
From the counter where I pick up my coffee -- across the board. And, as Josh suggested it can make the difference in another person's life.
Josh is right. We can turn it around. When I was a small child in the 50s and 60s, rich people were taxed a lot and we had a middle class. That would be an excellent start for your generation.
The whole fun uncle thing was also true with older people (I'm 68). They went real right, thought churches were losing their religious rights to meet, that masks didn't work, etc. I was and am still baffled.
Getting people together in a positive way used to be accomplished by volunteering. What would Gen Zers like to do for free? Building ramps for wheelchair users, transporting furniture for people that have none, or teaching kids to play chess are some of the things people I know have done in the past. Group activities are the best. They will meet a lot of people and feel as if they have done something. A kind act, no matter how small, is important.
I’m as annoyed by gen z as the boomer emailer but “doom spending” sounds like new branding for young people don’t save their money. I’m a millennial and I didn’t save in my 20s either. I have savings now in my late 30s. Not new.
Tim Miller should have given the trans rights judgey advocate a talking to. And Joshua should think more strategically. Tim is absolutely right about annoying person backlash.
My parents were born just before the Depression and came up in a time when Irish Americans (they were at least 2nd generation) were still dumped on and kept out of jobs. They had the stereotypical priests and nuns who were free to beat and belittle them. They also received educations better than we've had since in this country. Mine in the late 60s into the early 80s was better than what those after me have had.
My mother would talk about growing up in the Depression, WWII, etc. She said the biggest difference was that everyone they knew was in the same boat.
After high school, she worked with the WASPs who had the old money and all the power. The class lines were very clear. We like to pretend they don't exist in this country today.
It was education, WWII, Korea, the GI Bill, government careers in DC, and grit that allowed my parents, aunts and uncles to climb out of the lives they inherited. Though the nation was more patriotic than today, overall, many joined the military/war efforts because it was the only opportunity they really had. When people talk about the US having overcome tough times before, the biggest difference I see is that we collectively lack the character and will.
I think we're going to have define what that is in today's world and then get enough people to commit to it in order to move forward.
Cam is right that people keep choosing the easy way. I'm seeing that mostly in Boomers of my age and older, along with Gen X and on down.
I also appreciate Cam sharing his feelings of loneliness growing up. I’ve been listening to some early 2000/late 90’s music and there are also many themes of loneliness and FOMO. This isn’t a new concept. These songs were well before social media. Why are those feelings making some boys turn to white supremacy and misogyny now? There always seems to be a knee jerk reaction to blame every generation for its faults, but they weren’t born in a bubble. They are a reflection of the world they were raised in. What is it that parents have done (or not done) to make young people gravitate towards that? What is our society doing (or not doing) that makes that look like the right path? Just like the news section on Gen Z not having emergency savings. Isn’t every generation dealing with that? I feel like that’s a common news story about every American. Maybe Gen Z isn’t saving because they didn’t learn the importance of it growing up? On top of having to pay student loans, and astronomical rent, among other huge expenses.
I love the point that some people have always wanted to be conservative, and finally got an excuse to do that. I also love the point that people should not feel obligated to support everything in their chosen political party. AND YES - young people need to come together and socialize IRL.
When I consider the combo of Covid, older people refusing to step aside to allow young energetic people to get ahead with their careers, the fast rise in housing prices that prevents younger people to imagine ever owning a home, and the current destruction of the government, it is easy see why many younger people feel angry, anxious, and disheartened.
Something has to change. But I don't think another old white guy as president and the destruction of the federal government is the change that will work.
I agree about the older generation stepping aside. However, at 61 I now have to work until I die because I became partially disabled 10 years ago and wiped myself out financially just trying to stay alive and keep a roof over my head. After rebuilding (while still partially disabled), Trump and Musk are now killing my industry and possibly my ability to earn a living in the near future (or beyond). It's not just young people who are struggling to make ends meet.
You make a good point. I was thinking mostly about people in our government, at the top of management, that kind of thing.
I worry that people like you and me - (I am around the same age) - will find that Medicare and Social Security will be tossed out and we will be left in precarious situations.
I’m a 68 year-old privileged white woman who has been liberal for most of my life. I think Josh was so smart and clearly well educated. Just what Trump doesn’t want for our country.
As an Xennial with 3 Gen Z kids (well last one is technically Gen Alpha, but he’s claiming Gen Z), I am very much enjoying this podcast. The thoughtfulness of my kids and their friends really gave me hope for this upcoming generation. Their inclusivity and acceptance has been great to see over the years. After the election, I was surprised how few in Gen Z actually are thoughtful towards the larger community good. This podcast has been enjoyable hearing POV from “kids” in this generation and getting an insight on what they might be seeing in their media or social groups. I also thought the anarchist veteran was a surprising and interesting guest. I brought him up in a conversation with my oldest the other day. Different POV is what we need these days. Love the projects and conversations you’re having Tim!
Everyone experiences and processes trauma differently, and I'm reluctant to dismiss anyone's traumas, as unrelatable or silly as they may sound. But geez. I went through covid too, in my early twenties, struggling through a graduate program I expected to attend in person, taking care of two high risk family members, which meant I didn't leave the house for a year and a half except to walk outside. It sucked, but it did not turn me into a Nazi. In fact, it pushed me in the opposite direction. I thought that's what suffering, especially suffering shared by a society, is supposed to bring out in people. Apparently that's not true anymore.
I like cam but his talking is more interesting when it’s less about how he’s special and more about his observations about his generation. I’m interested in understanding how his generation is special.
I've been LOVING this series lol
I appreciate Joshua in being so open about his experience which selflessly speaks for young people everywhere. As a mom I noticed there was not much chance for kids to join together for unstructured and unsupervised play. I noticed that school sports are way too competitive and coached by many who were living their youth again thru others. They only wanted the stars. The benched the average and those with less athletic skill overall. But they got in the way of playing. Kids want to play. Parents and coaches and the expensive summer camps are focused on winning and scoring and exceling. So where do kids play?
In my day we played boys, girls, every age at the corner park. We had a bat and a ball, and maybe one of us had a glove, or not; and we just played for hours until we heard the voice of a parent calling us home. Those connections however were the benefit. Drama is different in that all are welcome, but that is only if you ace the audition. There are barriers to "kids playing" everywhere.
What I do is always give some kindness or a smile or a word of encouragement to any young person who crosses my path. Yesterday I did what I also do often when I can if it can be done seamlessly. While I waited there was a dad with his three kids enjoying pizza, the kids were enjoying the food and giggling while their dad a young man quietly oversaw it all. As I passed by leaving with my order I stopped to say, "Don't want to intrude, but you have a beautiful family." Mature today and aware of the pain and challenges young people and families deal with every day, I try to interject a kindness or recognition to young people and families as I go thru my day.
From the counter where I pick up my coffee -- across the board. And, as Josh suggested it can make the difference in another person's life.
Josh is right. We can turn it around. When I was a small child in the 50s and 60s, rich people were taxed a lot and we had a middle class. That would be an excellent start for your generation.
The whole fun uncle thing was also true with older people (I'm 68). They went real right, thought churches were losing their religious rights to meet, that masks didn't work, etc. I was and am still baffled.
Getting people together in a positive way used to be accomplished by volunteering. What would Gen Zers like to do for free? Building ramps for wheelchair users, transporting furniture for people that have none, or teaching kids to play chess are some of the things people I know have done in the past. Group activities are the best. They will meet a lot of people and feel as if they have done something. A kind act, no matter how small, is important.
I’m as annoyed by gen z as the boomer emailer but “doom spending” sounds like new branding for young people don’t save their money. I’m a millennial and I didn’t save in my 20s either. I have savings now in my late 30s. Not new.
I think you should have reflected more on specifically how MAGA has begun winning over more followers on the basis of nonconformity.
Tim Miller should have given the trans rights judgey advocate a talking to. And Joshua should think more strategically. Tim is absolutely right about annoying person backlash.
My parents were born just before the Depression and came up in a time when Irish Americans (they were at least 2nd generation) were still dumped on and kept out of jobs. They had the stereotypical priests and nuns who were free to beat and belittle them. They also received educations better than we've had since in this country. Mine in the late 60s into the early 80s was better than what those after me have had.
My mother would talk about growing up in the Depression, WWII, etc. She said the biggest difference was that everyone they knew was in the same boat.
After high school, she worked with the WASPs who had the old money and all the power. The class lines were very clear. We like to pretend they don't exist in this country today.
It was education, WWII, Korea, the GI Bill, government careers in DC, and grit that allowed my parents, aunts and uncles to climb out of the lives they inherited. Though the nation was more patriotic than today, overall, many joined the military/war efforts because it was the only opportunity they really had. When people talk about the US having overcome tough times before, the biggest difference I see is that we collectively lack the character and will.
I think we're going to have define what that is in today's world and then get enough people to commit to it in order to move forward.
Cam is right that people keep choosing the easy way. I'm seeing that mostly in Boomers of my age and older, along with Gen X and on down.
I also appreciate Cam sharing his feelings of loneliness growing up. I’ve been listening to some early 2000/late 90’s music and there are also many themes of loneliness and FOMO. This isn’t a new concept. These songs were well before social media. Why are those feelings making some boys turn to white supremacy and misogyny now? There always seems to be a knee jerk reaction to blame every generation for its faults, but they weren’t born in a bubble. They are a reflection of the world they were raised in. What is it that parents have done (or not done) to make young people gravitate towards that? What is our society doing (or not doing) that makes that look like the right path? Just like the news section on Gen Z not having emergency savings. Isn’t every generation dealing with that? I feel like that’s a common news story about every American. Maybe Gen Z isn’t saving because they didn’t learn the importance of it growing up? On top of having to pay student loans, and astronomical rent, among other huge expenses.
Loved the spirit behind ‘we had to get through Hoover to get to FDR’.
I am not the Cam from the podcast!
I love the point that some people have always wanted to be conservative, and finally got an excuse to do that. I also love the point that people should not feel obligated to support everything in their chosen political party. AND YES - young people need to come together and socialize IRL.
When I consider the combo of Covid, older people refusing to step aside to allow young energetic people to get ahead with their careers, the fast rise in housing prices that prevents younger people to imagine ever owning a home, and the current destruction of the government, it is easy see why many younger people feel angry, anxious, and disheartened.
Something has to change. But I don't think another old white guy as president and the destruction of the federal government is the change that will work.
I agree about the older generation stepping aside. However, at 61 I now have to work until I die because I became partially disabled 10 years ago and wiped myself out financially just trying to stay alive and keep a roof over my head. After rebuilding (while still partially disabled), Trump and Musk are now killing my industry and possibly my ability to earn a living in the near future (or beyond). It's not just young people who are struggling to make ends meet.
You make a good point. I was thinking mostly about people in our government, at the top of management, that kind of thing.
I worry that people like you and me - (I am around the same age) - will find that Medicare and Social Security will be tossed out and we will be left in precarious situations.
I’m a 68 year-old privileged white woman who has been liberal for most of my life. I think Josh was so smart and clearly well educated. Just what Trump doesn’t want for our country.
As an Xennial with 3 Gen Z kids (well last one is technically Gen Alpha, but he’s claiming Gen Z), I am very much enjoying this podcast. The thoughtfulness of my kids and their friends really gave me hope for this upcoming generation. Their inclusivity and acceptance has been great to see over the years. After the election, I was surprised how few in Gen Z actually are thoughtful towards the larger community good. This podcast has been enjoyable hearing POV from “kids” in this generation and getting an insight on what they might be seeing in their media or social groups. I also thought the anarchist veteran was a surprising and interesting guest. I brought him up in a conversation with my oldest the other day. Different POV is what we need these days. Love the projects and conversations you’re having Tim!
Everyone experiences and processes trauma differently, and I'm reluctant to dismiss anyone's traumas, as unrelatable or silly as they may sound. But geez. I went through covid too, in my early twenties, struggling through a graduate program I expected to attend in person, taking care of two high risk family members, which meant I didn't leave the house for a year and a half except to walk outside. It sucked, but it did not turn me into a Nazi. In fact, it pushed me in the opposite direction. I thought that's what suffering, especially suffering shared by a society, is supposed to bring out in people. Apparently that's not true anymore.
I like cam but his talking is more interesting when it’s less about how he’s special and more about his observations about his generation. I’m interested in understanding how his generation is special.