mute a generation by ~funkadelic on deviantART
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Regular LP readers might recall that I’ve been emphasising for some time now research evidence which suggests that the “apathetic youth” narrative is nonsense. Just because no one’s marching in the street, doesn’t mean that nothing’s happening. Further evidence for that case comes from a literature review prepared for the Whitlam Institute by Philippa Colin – Young People Imagining a New Democracy [link to pdf]. Colin finds that engagement is migrating online, and that it’s much more likely to be issues or cause based than the “citizen oriented repertoires” of involvement in political parties. The review also suggests significant disengagement with the formal practices of citizenship coincides with idealism and engagement around issues and networks.
This report was discussed in the most stereotypical possible way on last week’s Q&A (where most of the panel wanted to diss blogging and those intertubes). Doing it justice might force us to answer the question of what’s wrong with our democracy, rather than squeeze it into the most tedious and condescending media frame of what’s wrong with teh yoof… In many ways, one could argue that disengagement from an unresponsive and elitist “democracy” is an eminently rational choice. That might be something the professionally cynical pundits and pollies might wish to ponder.
Yes!
I want to cry every time I read some half-assed Bernard Salt-style ‘analysis’ of Generation Y. Do people really think that entire generation of otherwise diverse individuals all share common characteristics, merely due to the proximity of their birthdates? It’s just astrology as sociology, really.
Bernard Salt’s overuse by the ABC as some sort of all purpose ‘expert’ is particularly annoying and indicative of the peurile chatter that passes for analysis most of the time.
The same thing was said about Gen X Mark. And it was true. You must pay heed to the defining classic of our generation:
Now don’t do it again.
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There’s an increasing tendency to apathy amongst the populations of modern states. It’s been marked. Hobsbawm for example doubt that masses of people in the English speaking world would sign up to ‘fight and die for their country’. Not becauise we’re pacifist. But because our country isn’t that important. Would people sign up and fight n’ die for Starbucks? Naah. X-Box? Maybe.
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There’s a slice of every generation that’s managed to either realize that the world’s fubar and/or that becoming a commie will really piss off your parents. There’s an overlapping slice of every generation which is brought up to be interested in politics as a matter of good form.
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Otherwise no-one gives a shit. A lot people regard politics as an inherently nefarious cesspit of psychopathic reptiles and will have nothing to do with it. They thereby excuse themselves from the taint of realpolitik whose machinations ensure that they continue to live an artificially prosperous lifestyle.
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But the report’s right. You find the political activity is online. It’s still an avant garde phenomena but Gen Y know about it proportionally more than our generation; Ferris, a computer’s way cooler than a car. Dude! – you can’t play Global Thermonuclear War on a car. The interesting question would be: what do they believe, and how are they different?
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I’ll read the link in a little while to see if they answer those questions.
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I hope its better n’ the Trots. They’re so same ol’ same ol: (Whiny drone) – If you’re against imperialism sign the petition. It’s really important! (that the internal security apparatus of this country has your name on its ratbag list).
Mark, I too found the Whitlam Institute well worth a read.
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What struck me about the paper was actually how *en*gaged it found young people to be.
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There’s one idea I think it’s time to trot out again: lowering the voting age. Let’s remember that everyone under 18 literally is disenfranchised. This is plainly unfair on any sensibvle reading. Young people pay tax at 14 years 9 months, they can learn to drive at 16 or 17, they can legally have sex at 16, they be sent to adult jails at 17, and they can go to university or join the army before 18 too. And, depending how elections roll around, a young person could be 20 or even 21 before they first get the chance to vote.
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It’s not as though they’re unfit to vote. Today’s generation is better and more broadly educated than the Baby Boomers are their parents or grandparents. We don’t disenfranchise elderly voters at a certain age, after all.
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Further, young people clearly have more stake in the future than the generation currently in power. Lowering the voting age to 16 or even 15 would be an excellent check on the tendency of generations in power to redistribute wealth away from younger generations.
Matt C and Adrian, I had not encountered Bernard Salt until today, when I heard him on radio saying that the new taboos were smoking, drinking to excess, and gambling. Now I need to find a convenient shorthand for “drongo who has not left his middle-aged yuppie bubble for a very long time”.
“The same thing was said about Gen X Mark. And it was true.”
We need another Vietnam to thin out their ranks.
One of the things that has always irritated me about Bernard Salt (aside from his shallow analysis, of course) is that he puts everything in terms of a conflict between us older folk (boomers) and you younger folk (Gen whatever) for money, jobs, houses, chicks, …
We have one. Say: Philip Adams.
We’re too old. Ferris is over 40 as I will be in 9 months time. Gen Y already have their Vietnam. It’s called King St on a Saturday night.
There’s an increasing tendency to apathy amongst the populations of modern states
But surely that is the luxury of the previous two generatiosn having killed Socialism for us?
Having finally read the PDF it seems that it outlays the same disillusionment with traditional modes of political engagement that have been marked for decades now: don’t like political parties, politicians or unions.
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Findings include a lack of understanding about rights, government function, democratic foundations – that is how things work.
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I don’t think this makes a case that the kids are still active or interested. It says rather that cynicism and apathy continue. It also speaks volumes about the skills attednat to good citizenry in this country (or lack thereof).
The first time I came across Bernard Salt he was bragging about having never read a novel http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23316185-5007146,00.html (The only other person who carries on like that is the Revd. Mr Collins.)
Not parading yer ignorance in the pages of daily newspapers is the new taboo.
In other news, I think we’ve discovered the existence of Generation G(reenfield).
Generation G. Heh!
“The first time I came across Bernard Salt he was bragging about having never read a novel [link]”
What you have linked to there Laura is one of the most profoundly stupid things I ever have read. Maybe Bernie has actually read some novels and was just trying to stir the possum. I certainly hope so. Otherwise he’s just damned himself as someone who knows nothing of what he talks about. And even if he was just shitstirring, it was a titanically dumb attempt – almost on par with Roger Bacon/John Greenfield/Jage/Hermione/Leftist Queers/whatever’s “Hasn’t film been such a disappointment?”
I’m attending a conference with M. Sodium Chloride shortly. You bet your cotton pickin’ boots I’m gonna pick a fight with him, either on stage or at related pissups. I just hope he’s not a pleasant person in person. If he is, then that always makes it difficult to get a good barney going.
However I doubt that Leftist Roger Green Hermione QueerBacon, the Gollum of the Ausblogosphere, will ever present anyone anywhere anytime with such a conundrum.
Report back Nabs. I agree with everything you say.
“However I doubt that Leftist Roger Green Hermione QueerBacon, the Gollum of the Ausblogosphere, will ever present anyone anywhere anytime with such a conundrum.”
Chances are that you’re unlikely to meet him at a conference, or indeed any other venue attended by human beings.
“The young have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations; moreover, their hopeful disposition makes them think themselves equal to great things—and that means having exalted notions. They would always rather do noble deeds than useful ones: Their lives are regulated more by moral feeling than by reasoning…. All their mistakes are in the direction of doing things excessively and vehemently. They overdo everything; they love too much, hate too much, and the same with everything else.”
So said Aristotle.
Bernard Salt is a stupid pissant. Rip his head off Nabokov.
As usual Aristotle is right:
Should be the motto of the student movement. Except NUS of course. The word ‘noble’ always makes that lot break out in hives and confused expressions. Still when I knew ‘em they were very useful. I mean where else can you spend $250 000 and get a bunch of really ugly posters in return?