Really interesting interview with writer Jonathan Haidt on the All-in podcast. It’s a very well structured and interesting discussion, that looks at how humans have evolved to be how we are, and how we are adapting to the modern world. They put forward the thesis that there is a crisis with Gen Z onwards because society is still getting to grips with the introduction of digital technologies.
The discussion around the evolutionary biology topics is fantastic and a must listen for all. Same goes for the recent developments in social media and how this is intersecting with our core biology. I’m not fully convinced by their thesis though. I think there’s a fair amount of our generation did it betterism that creeps in, though I don’t think it’s malicious, it’s just that the world is changing so much it’s difficult to ground oneself.
If you are GenZ definitely worth listening, get the data, learn about your body etc but you decide on your direction. You’re the first generation to be fully digital so many things will be possible that us olds will find difficult to imagine.
Having said that there is much wisdom hidden away within the path that humanity has taken to get where we are today. I’m finding as I get older that the philosophical and political thought from eras past, is more relevant than I previously realised. It’s not always obvious how to translate it into a modern context though, and takes quite a lot of time to fully appreciate it’s lessons. Often you can only see the lessons once you’ve lived through challenges and successes yourself.
There’s a lot of stuff that could help you avoid long periods of stagnation and spinning your wheels as you try to get to a better future. Be informed by the past but wary about being controlled by it.