Gen Zer's are said to be paving the way for a future where spirituality and technology coexist harmoniously. And yet, it is technology that has made them the most depressed generation ever.
Amen. This essay more than any other you've authored addresses the future of humanity at a very basic level- thank you so much- I pray many people read this and realize we must save our precious children from wanting to kill themselves. Come on people wake up!!!!!!!!!
"Just like Gen Zer’s are told to be “gender fluid”, they are told to be “faith fluid”. They are “deconstructing God”. Forget negative concepts like sin and accountability." Great sentence. Sums up so well with simplicity. You can see the impact of French philosophers such as Foucault. It is a weird mishmash of nihilism, and hedonism with some guilt-ridden religiosity about even existing thrown in to create a dystopian meal that seems appealing until you try and digest it.
And because technology weakened both their immune system and resolve, do you think this is why so many fell prey to the Covid propaganda? When my kid started listening to 80s music, etc. I said, don't just wear the clothes, wear the mindest that said question authority. Of course, it went nowhere.
Good essay...but it's important to remember that countless atrocities have happened as a result of religion including Christianity.
Take the Catholic Church for example and its catastrophic effects on generations of children (especially Indigenous) who were abused, raped and killed by Church authorities without legal consequences. Same goes for the Jehova's Witnesses, Mormons, etc. Religious egocentricity has caused many wars and torture.
What's important is a strong moral compass, treating others with respect, honesty, decency, integrity and courage however one achieves it. Group think and blindly following authorities, including religious, is dangerous.
However, throughout the past 4 years, it is devout Christians who have led the way to clarity including former electrical engineer, Sabrina Wallace and her Psinergy Channel on Odysee.
Absolutely. I've never been a fan of organized religion. Any institution that gets that much power is bound to become corrupt. Still, within every institution are individuals who do good work. I love the little church my daughter goes to. I think such communities are important for people, especially during trying times. My grandkids are learning about them ost important values and that's a good thing.
For me, nature is the only thing that I can commune with. Trees and plants and soil. They are quite literally my best friends, whether I am on a forest path or city street. Knowing how to prepare some plants for medicine, and of course food, has really solidified my connection there. A 10x photo loop is a great present for any person. Get them to focus on something else, anything else, outside of their heads.
These gen-zeez with their heads in the diggy-tale cloud don't value life--theirs or that've others--so losin' it (theirs, others') has no value... easy ta join with the fool Millenials an' their "Extinction Rebellion" (where they fight against the "gift" of their own dang lives). My younger one wartched that satire viddeyo ya shared--she said it's funny but "accurate" of Gen Alpha (she sees this kids all around). Not. Good. None of these Alpha's read either--the satirist got that right too.
In that tiktock satire the girl mentioned this thing, this Skibidi Toilet-- it's a big deal (eeeeek!)
"In a haunting dystopian future, the world is over-run with toilets. Not just any toilets — Skibidi Toilets, humans infected with the Skibidi virus, which has morphed them into a military of lavatories with heads. Humanity's only hope is an army of hardwear-headed soldiers who have been swept into a seemingly never-ending battle against the toilet pandemic, facing ever-more-powerful enemies who take their orders from a terrifying leader nicknamed the G-man."
So the "super soldiers" (MK Ultra'd in real life / "enhanced" killers...) are the heroes? Funny timin' this as just yesterday one mama was tryin' to explain this terlet thing ta me at our homeschool picnic--long story but her nephew attends public skool an' knows about this stuff (no history, no science--just common core, social emotional learning AND.... Skibidi Toilet...) kid ya not. eek again!
This megan is beyond skeery dystopian--plot now new tho' -- very Twilight Zone:
1. Living Doll (best friend dollie becomes a killer)
2. I Sing the Body Electric-- a girl bonds with a robot after her mama dies--in this one the robot is nearly "better" than any human...(in a sense this is creepier for that reason)
Last but not least--did 'ja see this story of a mama dx'd with cancer was offered assisted suicide instead of "treatment?!" she's in remission now--doin' fine--thanks to coming to the USA for care which thankfully she could afford.... most cannot--but the story is heartbreakin':
Lies are Unbecoming had a sad but great interview with a mom-advocate (cain't find the link) whose 17 year old son killed himself due to social media bullyin'--it's so tragic... he had adhd an' the skool kids bullied him mercilessly
It used to be that kids spent most of their day with fambly--skool bullies, even then, were somethin' that ended at 4pm but today with these blasted devices they foller the kids home--even into the night.
I see even "good parents" allowin' "some" AI or "some" social media--it's all "the devil" imho...
HOW to fix all this? How ta teach now THREE generations to love life? (Sure there are some've us mamas & papa's too that git it--but not most...not most) For every person that says no there are (methinks) about 5000 that just let it in...
those grandkids are blessed with such an AMAZING gran'ma (an' yer kids blessed with you as their mom!)--The little ones will of course love readin', art, nature--all the good stuff--we just all gotta worry 'bout the world surroundin' 'em (or as Frank Capra said.. "Why We Fight!")
For the sake of these new generations we gotta LOT on our plates! (I laff an' think my own mama had it a mite easier...)
“Not only do millennials lack the kind of empathy that allows them to feel concerned for others, “ - why they are perfect partners with Totalitarianism
I'm not sure where you get these generational ranges as fifteen years is awfully short for a generation. Twenty years seems more reasonable and it's easier to remember if grouped by decades. Given how arbitrary and fuzzy the boundaries are, this simplified schema is at least as accurate:
Greatest: 00's-10's
Silent: 20's-30's
Boomer: 40's-50's
Gen X: 60's-70's
Millennials: 80's-90's
Zoomers: 00'-10's
Strauss and Howe's schema isn't quite the same but still more accurate than what usually is bandied about.
Thank you (IMHO) of the difficulties the youth of today are facing. You tied it all together into a very thought provoking presentation of our society of today and what the youth are facing. The days are gone, I fear, when parents and older folks passed down the wisdom of the ages. I'm truly saddened to see what has happened to our society as a whole. Thank you for putting out these powerful essays on the world around us. I, for one, find your messages riveting and God sent. Thank you for being who you are.! Sincerely, Bubba Humphries
Very interesting post, Karen; although I confess that upon reading the title I thought "she's really gonna tackle ALL THAT, in one post?" you tied it together quite well.
I have a few random thoughts:
-I am saddened and angered that the young Dutch woman was told she would never improve and that a doctor signed off that she had no prospect of improvement, as is required by the euthanasia law you quoted. Personality disorders are known to be a major cause of chronic suicidality, and are also known to those who bother to look into it to remit or at least improve significantly in the vast majority of patients once they reach their 30s or 40s. It's a pernicious myth that they are not treatable and never get better, and unfortunately it's a myth that many mental health professionals even believe, along with the majority of health care workers in other specialties (at least here in the US). And they pass that hopeless attitude to their patients and it's just not true.
-thinking about your discussion of suicide as an honorable act in ancient times, I'm actually thinking it's not so different now. My theory is that it's our societal way of talking about problems that's changed much moreso than the problems themselves. I was especially struck by the story you relayed about the woman who was raped and killed herself due to the dishonor, saying she was innocent of the crime but would take the penalty. How profoundly sad that any victim of violent crime would feel the need to not just take a penalty but to impose it on themselves, and yet, how different is that, really, than the intense shame characteristic of trauma survivors? Nowadays, the woman would probably say she was dealing with PTSD and just couldn't go on with life, and yet, I suspect that apparent difference is more about the language we use to express our feelings, than the feeling themselves.
-that is, I suspect, part of the reason so many kids now say "depression and anxiety" are major issues in themselves and their peers: centuries ago, they may have said something like "the stain of dishonor" was plaguing them. But I think kids latch on to words like "depression" and "anxiety" because they are, as presented, simple and more concrete ways for kids to say they're suffering emotionally. While I agree with you that the spread of mental health "literacy" as it is currently manifested is bad for youth, for everyone, I see it not so much as being about the words, but more as being about how we teach each other to define those words. I mean, we have lots of words for physical ailments that range from "seasonal allergies" (pretty ubiquitous, and can cause significant discomfort and inconvenience, and yet we see them as a pretty normal part of life and present in more people than not), to "advanced cancer" (this, we see as a tragedy). If "anxiety" became more like "my allergies are acting up," which I think is a much better corollary, than to "I have cancer," then the ubiquity of kids identifying with it wouldn't have the same pernicious effects as it does now. Same with "depression". In my view it's not the naming itself that's the problem, because we have names for the most mundane physical problems: acne, callouses, ingrown hairs. Rather, it's the pathologizing of what is a rather universal experience. We don't ingrown hairs the same way, even though there's a term for them (and a fancier one, "folliculitis," with the same meaning). IMO, the problem with mental health terms is that they come with a sense of "I feel bad because of my anxiety" which leads to a loss of agency, as opposed to "anxiety is the name for this bad feeling, and here are things I can do when I feel it: punch a bag, go for a run, take a nap, go to lunch with a friend..." Somehow, probably because of the historical idea of " mental illness" as a tragic disabling condition without any treatment, we have given people the idea that once you label your feelings as "depression" or " anxiety," well, you're just at their mercy, and who knows how bad it might get? Kids should be learning that anxiety is like a headache: we all experience it, and usually there are many things you can do to help yourself feel better or to wait it out; on rare occasions, that headache is a sign of a brain tumor and you need to seek medical help, but usually it's just a normal part of life and you can find ways to deal with it.
Amen. This essay more than any other you've authored addresses the future of humanity at a very basic level- thank you so much- I pray many people read this and realize we must save our precious children from wanting to kill themselves. Come on people wake up!!!!!!!!!
This is my prayer too! Thank you and God Bless.
"Just like Gen Zer’s are told to be “gender fluid”, they are told to be “faith fluid”. They are “deconstructing God”. Forget negative concepts like sin and accountability." Great sentence. Sums up so well with simplicity. You can see the impact of French philosophers such as Foucault. It is a weird mishmash of nihilism, and hedonism with some guilt-ridden religiosity about even existing thrown in to create a dystopian meal that seems appealing until you try and digest it.
Yes, what a mishmash!
And because technology weakened both their immune system and resolve, do you think this is why so many fell prey to the Covid propaganda? When my kid started listening to 80s music, etc. I said, don't just wear the clothes, wear the mindest that said question authority. Of course, it went nowhere.
Good essay...but it's important to remember that countless atrocities have happened as a result of religion including Christianity.
Take the Catholic Church for example and its catastrophic effects on generations of children (especially Indigenous) who were abused, raped and killed by Church authorities without legal consequences. Same goes for the Jehova's Witnesses, Mormons, etc. Religious egocentricity has caused many wars and torture.
What's important is a strong moral compass, treating others with respect, honesty, decency, integrity and courage however one achieves it. Group think and blindly following authorities, including religious, is dangerous.
However, throughout the past 4 years, it is devout Christians who have led the way to clarity including former electrical engineer, Sabrina Wallace and her Psinergy Channel on Odysee.
https://odysee.com/@psinergy:f/haugpsinergistsp:c
Absolutely. I've never been a fan of organized religion. Any institution that gets that much power is bound to become corrupt. Still, within every institution are individuals who do good work. I love the little church my daughter goes to. I think such communities are important for people, especially during trying times. My grandkids are learning about them ost important values and that's a good thing.
Bitter, indigestible, rotten fruit from the "EnLIGHTenment"..... let us not forget that LUCIFER means "LIGHTBEARER"
Be not deceived:
"THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT TO A MAN BUT IT ENDS IN DEATH."
-God
Also God:
"THERE IS APPOINTED ONCE FOR A MAN TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS, THE JUDGEMENT."
-God
Time to repent and turn back to Him now for New Life before it is too late
Good Bible verse.
For me, nature is the only thing that I can commune with. Trees and plants and soil. They are quite literally my best friends, whether I am on a forest path or city street. Knowing how to prepare some plants for medicine, and of course food, has really solidified my connection there. A 10x photo loop is a great present for any person. Get them to focus on something else, anything else, outside of their heads.
Yes, absolutely. My best times to connect with God is when I'm hiking.
Very good article! I reposted St. Francis of Assisi’s prayer at the end. Thank you!
Thank you!
These gen-zeez with their heads in the diggy-tale cloud don't value life--theirs or that've others--so losin' it (theirs, others') has no value... easy ta join with the fool Millenials an' their "Extinction Rebellion" (where they fight against the "gift" of their own dang lives). My younger one wartched that satire viddeyo ya shared--she said it's funny but "accurate" of Gen Alpha (she sees this kids all around). Not. Good. None of these Alpha's read either--the satirist got that right too.
In that tiktock satire the girl mentioned this thing, this Skibidi Toilet-- it's a big deal (eeeeek!)
https://www.businessinsider.com/skibidi-toilet-is-good-actually-2023-10?op=1
"In a haunting dystopian future, the world is over-run with toilets. Not just any toilets — Skibidi Toilets, humans infected with the Skibidi virus, which has morphed them into a military of lavatories with heads. Humanity's only hope is an army of hardwear-headed soldiers who have been swept into a seemingly never-ending battle against the toilet pandemic, facing ever-more-powerful enemies who take their orders from a terrifying leader nicknamed the G-man."
So the "super soldiers" (MK Ultra'd in real life / "enhanced" killers...) are the heroes? Funny timin' this as just yesterday one mama was tryin' to explain this terlet thing ta me at our homeschool picnic--long story but her nephew attends public skool an' knows about this stuff (no history, no science--just common core, social emotional learning AND.... Skibidi Toilet...) kid ya not. eek again!
This megan is beyond skeery dystopian--plot now new tho' -- very Twilight Zone:
1. Living Doll (best friend dollie becomes a killer)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Doll_(The_Twilight_Zone)
2. I Sing the Body Electric-- a girl bonds with a robot after her mama dies--in this one the robot is nearly "better" than any human...(in a sense this is creepier for that reason)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734576/
Last but not least--did 'ja see this story of a mama dx'd with cancer was offered assisted suicide instead of "treatment?!" she's in remission now--doin' fine--thanks to coming to the USA for care which thankfully she could afford.... most cannot--but the story is heartbreakin':
https://unherd.com/2024/05/i-was-offered-assisted-dying-over-cancer-treatment/
Lies are Unbecoming had a sad but great interview with a mom-advocate (cain't find the link) whose 17 year old son killed himself due to social media bullyin'--it's so tragic... he had adhd an' the skool kids bullied him mercilessly
It used to be that kids spent most of their day with fambly--skool bullies, even then, were somethin' that ended at 4pm but today with these blasted devices they foller the kids home--even into the night.
I see even "good parents" allowin' "some" AI or "some" social media--it's all "the devil" imho...
HOW to fix all this? How ta teach now THREE generations to love life? (Sure there are some've us mamas & papa's too that git it--but not most...not most) For every person that says no there are (methinks) about 5000 that just let it in...
Everything is upside down and inside out. I really fear for my grandkids growing up in this world.
those grandkids are blessed with such an AMAZING gran'ma (an' yer kids blessed with you as their mom!)--The little ones will of course love readin', art, nature--all the good stuff--we just all gotta worry 'bout the world surroundin' 'em (or as Frank Capra said.. "Why We Fight!")
For the sake of these new generations we gotta LOT on our plates! (I laff an' think my own mama had it a mite easier...)
❤️
“Not only do millennials lack the kind of empathy that allows them to feel concerned for others, “ - why they are perfect partners with Totalitarianism
I'm not sure where you get these generational ranges as fifteen years is awfully short for a generation. Twenty years seems more reasonable and it's easier to remember if grouped by decades. Given how arbitrary and fuzzy the boundaries are, this simplified schema is at least as accurate:
Greatest: 00's-10's
Silent: 20's-30's
Boomer: 40's-50's
Gen X: 60's-70's
Millennials: 80's-90's
Zoomers: 00'-10's
Strauss and Howe's schema isn't quite the same but still more accurate than what usually is bandied about.
Thank you (IMHO) of the difficulties the youth of today are facing. You tied it all together into a very thought provoking presentation of our society of today and what the youth are facing. The days are gone, I fear, when parents and older folks passed down the wisdom of the ages. I'm truly saddened to see what has happened to our society as a whole. Thank you for putting out these powerful essays on the world around us. I, for one, find your messages riveting and God sent. Thank you for being who you are.! Sincerely, Bubba Humphries
Very interesting post, Karen; although I confess that upon reading the title I thought "she's really gonna tackle ALL THAT, in one post?" you tied it together quite well.
I have a few random thoughts:
-I am saddened and angered that the young Dutch woman was told she would never improve and that a doctor signed off that she had no prospect of improvement, as is required by the euthanasia law you quoted. Personality disorders are known to be a major cause of chronic suicidality, and are also known to those who bother to look into it to remit or at least improve significantly in the vast majority of patients once they reach their 30s or 40s. It's a pernicious myth that they are not treatable and never get better, and unfortunately it's a myth that many mental health professionals even believe, along with the majority of health care workers in other specialties (at least here in the US). And they pass that hopeless attitude to their patients and it's just not true.
-thinking about your discussion of suicide as an honorable act in ancient times, I'm actually thinking it's not so different now. My theory is that it's our societal way of talking about problems that's changed much moreso than the problems themselves. I was especially struck by the story you relayed about the woman who was raped and killed herself due to the dishonor, saying she was innocent of the crime but would take the penalty. How profoundly sad that any victim of violent crime would feel the need to not just take a penalty but to impose it on themselves, and yet, how different is that, really, than the intense shame characteristic of trauma survivors? Nowadays, the woman would probably say she was dealing with PTSD and just couldn't go on with life, and yet, I suspect that apparent difference is more about the language we use to express our feelings, than the feeling themselves.
-that is, I suspect, part of the reason so many kids now say "depression and anxiety" are major issues in themselves and their peers: centuries ago, they may have said something like "the stain of dishonor" was plaguing them. But I think kids latch on to words like "depression" and "anxiety" because they are, as presented, simple and more concrete ways for kids to say they're suffering emotionally. While I agree with you that the spread of mental health "literacy" as it is currently manifested is bad for youth, for everyone, I see it not so much as being about the words, but more as being about how we teach each other to define those words. I mean, we have lots of words for physical ailments that range from "seasonal allergies" (pretty ubiquitous, and can cause significant discomfort and inconvenience, and yet we see them as a pretty normal part of life and present in more people than not), to "advanced cancer" (this, we see as a tragedy). If "anxiety" became more like "my allergies are acting up," which I think is a much better corollary, than to "I have cancer," then the ubiquity of kids identifying with it wouldn't have the same pernicious effects as it does now. Same with "depression". In my view it's not the naming itself that's the problem, because we have names for the most mundane physical problems: acne, callouses, ingrown hairs. Rather, it's the pathologizing of what is a rather universal experience. We don't ingrown hairs the same way, even though there's a term for them (and a fancier one, "folliculitis," with the same meaning). IMO, the problem with mental health terms is that they come with a sense of "I feel bad because of my anxiety" which leads to a loss of agency, as opposed to "anxiety is the name for this bad feeling, and here are things I can do when I feel it: punch a bag, go for a run, take a nap, go to lunch with a friend..." Somehow, probably because of the historical idea of " mental illness" as a tragic disabling condition without any treatment, we have given people the idea that once you label your feelings as "depression" or " anxiety," well, you're just at their mercy, and who knows how bad it might get? Kids should be learning that anxiety is like a headache: we all experience it, and usually there are many things you can do to help yourself feel better or to wait it out; on rare occasions, that headache is a sign of a brain tumor and you need to seek medical help, but usually it's just a normal part of life and you can find ways to deal with it.