You are born into a generation that defines who you are more than you can imagine. Your generation wants to separate itself from the previous one and set a tone for the world. As you get older, these generational values and ideas tend to close you off to other points of view, constraining your mind. Your task is to understand as deeply as possible this powerful influence on who you are and how you see the world.
The changes that occur across generations are confined to a specific set of changes, resulting in a cyclical pattern of shifting values. Due to a quickening in human restlessness and nervous energy we are witnessing an increasing speed in the shifts. The values that are adopted by a generation reflect that generation's moods and values.
What drives these changes is the continual succession of new generations of young people, who are trying to create something more relevant to their experience of the world, something that reflects more their values and spirit and that goes in a different direction from that of the previous generation.
Any major events (major war, a political scandal, a financial crisis or economic boom) that occur during the youthful years (0--22 years) have a decisive influence on the generational personality that is forming. The generation becomes cautious (if it is a war or crash in the economy) or hungry for adventurous (if it is something that sparks prosperity or stability)
Generational Patterns
History seems to move in four acts, corresponding to four generations.
The first generation is that of the revolutionaries who make a radical break with the past, establishing new values but also creating some chaos in the struggle to do so. This generation throws up leaders or prophets who influence the direction of the revolution.
The second generation craves some order. They want to establish some convention and dogma.
The third generation are pragmatists. They want to solve problems and make life as comfortable as possible. They are not so interested in ideas but rather building things. Material concerns predominate, and people can become quite individualistic.
The fourth generation feels that society has lost its vitality, but they are not sure what should replace it. They begin to question the values they have inherited, some becoming quite cynical. This period is often the most painful to live through - we humans feel a deep need to believe in something, and when we begin to doubt and question the old order and sense a vacuum in our values, we can go a little mad.
Then comes the revolutionary generation, which, unified around some new belief, finally tears down the old order, and the cycle continues.
Our values will often depend upon where we fall in this pattern and how our generation reacts against the particular imbalances of the previous generation. Generations seem capable only of reacting and moving in an opposing direction to the previous generation. We can assert our individual spirit (over the generational values) and to the degree that we can cultivate our uniqueness, we will gain power and the ability to direct the zeitgeist.
Implications
We like to imagine that we are autonomous and that our values and ideas come from within, not without, but this in fact not the case. Your goal is to understand as deeply as possible how profoundly the spirit of your generation, and the times that you live in, have influenced how you perceive the world. If we grew up in a generation that was more fearful and cautious, we might shy away from major responsibilities. When it comes to flaws or imbalances in our generation, our tendency is to see them as virtues.
Create a personality profile of your generation, so that you can understand its spirit in the present and exploit it. What you are looking for is common traits that signal an overall spirit. Pay particular attention to the effect major events may have had on the pattern of socialisation that will characterise your generation. A major crisis of some sort will tend to make those of your generation band together for comfort and security, valuing the team and feelings of love, and allergic to confrontation. A period of stability and nonevents will make you gravitate toward others for adventure, for group experimentation, sometimes bordering on the reckless.
Larger events will have an effect on how you view success and money and whether you value status and wealth or less material values such as creativity and personal expression. Did you feel the pressure to start making money right away, or was it time to explore the world and have adventures, then settle on something in your thirties?
Parenting styles (shaped by their generational values) of those who raised you - permissive, over controlling, neglectful, or empathetic also has an impact. Permissive styles create children with a wild and carefree attitude. Neglectful styles create children who feel alienated and angry. Parents who are overprotective will shape a generation that fears going outside its comfort zones.
This post is a summary of information provided in the book - The Laws of Human Nature, Robert Greene