Alright. I've had enough. No more Nice-Guy (or Nice-Girl in my case). I'm sick of the increasingly depressing forecasts for America. Yes. We're in a financial mess right now. Yes, our politicians are behaving a bit ridiculously and focusing on partisan politics in a time when what we really need is a united mindset to find a solution to our problems (but honestly, is that so different than what happens normally?).
Everywhere I turn, there are "serious concern" articles about America now (sagging employment rates, a prolonged recession, etc.), but an equal if not greater number of "serious concern" articles about the levels of success in America's future. And what does it all come down to? People just aren't that convinced that the future of America will be as innovative or forward-thinking as generations past. To put it bluntly, they're really just not sure that my generation will be able to produce the types of success that America has enjoyed in the past--will we have the Thomas Edisons in my generation? Another Steve Jobs? Maybe someone that could be more like Bill Gates? They'll even settle for a John Pemberton (he invented Coca-Cola, I had to look that one up).
I know that this worry comes from a good place-- it's normal for our parental generation to be worried about the generations to come. Good even. But enough is enough. Let's call out this worry for what it is-- a projection of economic worry manifested into the physical and tangible that is currently represented by the youth. Is it possible that the American economy will falter a bit in comparison to international markets (after years and years of unbridled success) in the future? Maybe. Will that be due to the inability of my generation? Absolutely not!
To this, I say unto all of you nay-sayers: Seriously? Seriously?! You're worried that we can't acclimate in a global market? You're worried that we won't be as innovative as things in the past? You're worried we'll be out-shined (out-shone?) by our Indian and Chinese counterparts? Okay. Let's set the record straight.
First of all, we grew up in a global market. There's nothing that we need to acclimate to! We grew up in a world where there were more Kentucky Fried Chickens in China than the U.S., and where off-shoring is normal course of business. We don't recognize Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart or Microsoft to be American companies--in fact, we expect the brands we trust to be global (that means inclusive of places outside of the U.S.). Blame it on what you will-- the disregard of physical space due to the growth of instant communications, the widespread sharing of ideas due to the internet--but my generation simply has a different perspective on what the workplace looks like now, and for good reason.
So innovation. I get it. It's hard to compare to...the man who invented light bulbs. You're right, we probably won't be inventing the computer again. And you know, I really like Coke as it is, so that's probably out of the question too. But that doesn't mean that this is the swan's song for all innovation in general! Let me remind you that older generations might have invented the internet, but we invented Facebook, Groupon and yeah--I'll claim it--Google. They may have invented Windows and Linux, but we invented Android. They invented light bulbs, but we invented optical computing, 3D printing and pioneered artificial organ growth and bio-fuels with record numbers of start ups. Let's call it even.
Yup. Americans are bad at math, or so goes the stereotype. Our educational system is outdated and far too lax on our youth. We're just not learning enough when you compare us to India or China!So this, I will cede that there is a bit of truth. Our educational system is not stellar, and there is always room for improvement. However, this is due to our strange government funding distribution system (run by *ahem* older generations), inadequate educators who are incentivized by the wrong things (like money or test scores, whose sub-par work is currently being supplemented by programs like Teach for America and ACE that are powered by younger people, reaching out to those lower-paying "unteachable communities"). Frankly, performance issues are also being exaggerated. My generation does have some pockets where education really has no place (its the same dark hole where "Jersey Shore" rules and "16 and Pregnant" is considered quality television). However, there is also a much larger pocket that is beginning to realize that beyond the sheltered existence provided by mom and dad, there is a big world that demands only the best. Kids are going to college in record numbers, advanced degrees are also at an all-time high. We might not be good at math, but we're trying really damn hard to make up for it. We're hungry for it just as much as the next country.
To end my rant, just give us a little credit. We haven't even stepped on the field yet and nay-sayers are already calling the game. That's just unfair. Give us the benefit of a doubt--I think that my generation will surprise you.
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