A new film called Generation Zero highlights the source of today’s ongoing economic nightmare, particularly for Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z.
“We in my generation bear an absolute responsibility for squandering that wealth, and for what we have done to future generations. My generation owes it to the moment in history in which we live and to those future generations to try to right what we have absolutely failed in over the course of the past 40 years.” — Lou Dobbs, former CNN Anchor
Generation Zero
Have you heard about the movie Generation Zero yet? Are you familiar with the book, The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy – What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America’s Next Rendezvous with Destiny by Neil Howe and the late William Strauss? The beginning of two of the trailers for Generation Zero explains that in history, there are four turnings. The first is the crisis. Next comes the high. Then the awakening. Finally, the unraveling. (The high for Generation X, is said to be in old age/retirement.)
Official Trailer – Generation Zero
From the Web site:
“The current economic crisis is not a failure of capitalism, but a failure of culture. Generation Zero explores the cultural roots of the global financial meltdown – beginning with the narcissism of the 1960’s, spreading like a virus through the self-indulgent 90’s, and exploding across the world in the present economic cataclysm.
Generation Zero goes beneath the shallow media headlines and talking head sound bites to get to the source of today’s economic nightmare. With a cutting edge style and haunting imagery, this must see documentary will change everything you thought you knew about Wall Street and Washington.
Featuring experts, authors, and pundits from across the political spectrum, Generation Zero exposes the little told story of how the mindset of the baby boomers sowed the seeds of economic disaster that will be reaped by coming generations.”
Click here to see the 30-second trailer.
I can’t even begin to comment on this at this time. It’s not like I didn’t already know all this, but I still don’t know what to say. Keep your hands on the plow and don’t look back?
The film is available for purchase. The cost is $19.99 plus $4.99 shipping and handling.
What do you think about Generation Zero?
Jen, every once in a while you write something that sets my head spinning such as your comment:
“My mother always told me the gift of prophecy was the gift of understanding the present.”
Wow, that’s really going through my head right now.
Thanks,
@FR SEAN – I hope people follow this comment thread. What you’ve said here is so important. I love that image of Jesus, and I haven’t been able to say it very eloquently yet, but I just keep thinking – the financial crisis is moving us closer to who we need to be – or maybe who I need to be – less materialistic; full of more gratitude; more sacrificial; less vain. Basically, more like Christ. That is the beauty I see for myself in the crisis. I love your comments. I received a comment from you one day that was my best ever comment, and I also received a spam comment that day. I accidentally clicked your comment when I clicked to delete the spam comment. There it was, my favorite comment ever GONE!!! GONE!!! =0
@JOHN FRANKS – It makes me feel better knowng that there have been worse times. Terrible, i know. But, the thing is, they survived them – including my father, born in 1930. And, yes, I do think we are so resilient. More than we probably realize.
@SEEKTHEQUESTION – Your comment adds a lot to this discussion. There are so many misconceptions about prophecy. My mother always told me the gift of prophecy was the gift of understanding the present. I have never forgotten it. I am a fan of Howe’s blog. I wish he blogged more…The guy gets around!
@YOGI – no kidding. It’s very The Day After. Financial Armageddon? Who is the beast? Sometimes I wonder – is my SSN the sign? I don’t mean to make light of it. It’s very upsetting. I heard Geitner say it was nearly cataclysmic. I don’t understand economics. Is ignorance bliss?
The Sky is falling, the Sky is falling!
Fourth Turning, which I’m listening to now, reads like a book of prophecy, and the authors tout it as just that. But to be clear, prophecy doesn’t equal prediction. In the Bible, prophecy wasn’t a precise prediction of the future, but a view of the present that called for a particular response, a faithful one.
Howe and Strauss aren’t saying that gloom and despair are unavoidable. They’re not even saying that a financial meltdown is destined to happen, with the worst still to come. I wonder what those guys would say to this film.
You can follow Neil Howe and his observations about the Fourth Turning on his blog called Lifecourse.
Thanks for posting this, Jen. It should be an interesting watch.