Our Inheritance

Recently, I have been reading the literature of and speaking with members of my father's generation, Generation X. Thomas Freidman detailed the hardships of the Baby Boomers -- both in war and in the post-war, modernization era. He spoke of their difficult choices, the sacrifices they made, and the leadership spirit of the times.

I look now at the mind of the times. What great things have the entrepreneurial spirit brought us? iPhone applications? Twitter-ed down politics? Giant televisions? Wasn't there a time when capitalism brought us things that increase productivity instead of decrease it? Americans now spend more time than ever working. The average American works a 46 hour long work week, only to come home and spend 28 hours watching tv. No one seems to be happy with themselves.

But Generation X seems to be optimistic about our generation. They see the drive and initiative of a select youth to make the world a sustainable and better place to live. They see our intention to fight the problems they have created as proof the outlook is getting better for the U.S., but I don't see it that way. I think our generation will be just as selfish and shortsighted as Generation X. What sacrifices have we been forced to make?

What right do they have to be optimistic? While our generation strongly supported the election of Barack Obama and has shown the same gusto for environmentally sustainable goods and services as the youth in the sixties and seventies, there isn't much else to rely on. Even as the first Earth Day was celebrated, Generation X was preparing to ruin the country for the revolutionaries. What are the grounds for new expectations? I foresee history repeating itself: a generation showing support for sacrifices and selflessness only to be trumped by a generation who cares only about making a soft, cushy life for themselves at the expense of previous and future generations.