American Pessimism

Here’s a thought on David Brooks’ recent essay in The Atlantic: “Chicken Littles Are Ruining America,” aka “The Zeitgeist of Doom.”

He writes: Since about 2004, the share of American 12th graders who say it is “hard to have hope for the world” has been surging, then provides many possible explanations for people’s negativity, including the notion that it’s become fashionable to be dour; young people may feel that they look silly and stupid with a smile and a “can-do” attitude.

But isn’t it possible that these folks are precisely right?  What did 2004 look like in terms of hostilities with world superpowers?  Did it seem possible that a Donald Trump would come along, reduce the United States to white nationalist, anti-intellectual rubble, then make a valiant and possibly successful attempt to overthrow American democracy?  Did it appear possible that climate change would soon be baking our planet while world leaders sat back and watched from their palaces?

Maybe it’s a good thing that our teens recognize this crap for what it is.