The Art of Manliness #236: What the Generational Cycle Theory Can Tell Us About Our Present Age
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Sep 20, 2016 Explore the theory of generational cycles and how they shape society. Learn about the characteristics of each generational archetype and their impact on history. Discover the relationship between generations and technology. Dive into the concept of the hero archetype and the potential for millennials to be heroes. Understand the uncertainty and potential catastrophe of fourth turnings in history. Conclude by exploring Neil Howe's work on generational cycles and upcoming plans for his book.
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Generations Formed By Shared Historical Context
- Generational differences emerge from how each cohort experiences major public events in their formative years.
- Those differences repeat across ~80-year saculum cycles, shaping recurring social patterns.
History As Overlapping Generational Biographies
- Howe and Strauss tell history as overlapping generational biographies rather than a single linear narrative.
- Following cohorts through childhood, midlife and elderhood reveals different perspectives on the same events.
Forecast Generations By Examining Childhood
- Look at children’s upbringing to forecast a generation's later traits instead of drawing straight lines from current youth crime or fashion.
- Use historical precedents to increase confidence in those forecasts.