America the Wise: The Longevity Revolution and the True Wealth of Nations

Rating:
Summary: A Progressive Tomorrow
Review: Theodore Roszak's writing is just as inspiring as it was in the 60's with "The Making of the Counter Culture." This man has his thoughts honed in on the pulse of our generation---the baby boomers. No one chronicles the trends of our generation better.

His thesis that as the baby boomers grow old the political spectrum will move to the left is fascinating and gives hope to this reader. His thesis is borne out by the fact that more of us are going to be dependent on the "entitlements" programs of the federal government. He goes on to postulate that because the Republicans traditionally oppose these programs, the body politic will move significantly into the Democratic party and in favor of more social programs.

Theodore Roszak has brought hope to this reader that we can look forward to a more progressive tomorrow. In spite of current trends like "charter schools" ,"vouchers", Kenneth Starr etc.... there is hope for a new tomorrow!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Introduction To The Graying Of America!
Review: This is bound to become a provocative & well-debated title; Roszak takes a broad-based series of well-aimed salvos at the conservative "Cassandras" who seem to be confusing the historical elderly dependencies of the past as indicative of what the new elderly composed of the aging baby-boomer generation will become. Nonsense, says Roszak, who argues persuasively that unlike their parents and grandparents, the baby-boomers will compose a revolutionary new social, economic and political force to be reckoned with in their seniority.

Given the considerable evidence of the new prosperity the "sixties" generation enjoys, and the likelihood that they will increasingly enjoy better health, more free time, and better opportunities to energetically express themselves than any previous elderly population in history, Roszak sees them as becoming a potent new force in American society, a force that can be usefully harnessed to the benefit of contemporary culture. Given the sheer numbers of the "new" elderly posed to find themselves at loose ends in the next 20 years, and the fact that the demographics of contemporary society are being altered in favor of greater proportions of older citizens (the so-called "graying of America"), it is hard to argue with much of what Roszak describes.

Certainly, as a recent early retiree myself, I can attest to the veracity of many of the points he makes in terms of my own situation. At age 53, I hardly see myself as slowing down, or as continuing my former ways in terms of concentrating on a career based primarily on what one ordinarily refers to as economic considerations. In short, I am looking forward to greater involvement in the community, in making substantial personal contributions in terms of time and energy to social issues I am concerned with, and to being more of a resource for family and friends. According to the author, I will not be alone. Tens of millions of my post-war baby-boom generation will soon be smiling beside me.

Of course, many critics point out that Roszak has made a long, illustrious career out of chronicling the baby-boomer generation, and that many of his previous notions weren't accurate. Yet for anyone taking the time & energy to read either "The Making of a Counterculture" or "Where the Wasteland Ends" will find that his writing was perceptive, prescient, & insightful. Here, too, he debunks the ideas of conservative nay-sayers like Peter Peterson ("Gray Dawn"), who claim the coming crush of retiring baby-boomers will mean hard times for younger Americans in particular & a troubled economic burden for America in general.

"Bosh!" claims Roszak, who points out that the new elderly have more material resources, are better educated, & are much more likely to continue to be gainfully employed after retirement than were their parents or grandparents. Indeed, given the booming economy associated with the digital revolution & the fact that many baby-boomers have unique expertise in the information industry, the "sixties" generation is much more likely to be in a favorable economic situation that any preceding generation of elder citizens. In fact, Roszak believes that they will be of continuing assistance to their children and grandchildren in helping them to continue to live the 'good life' they have become accustomed to.

Finally, the author provides a great deal of evidence and logic in arguing that the coming new generation swell of elderly citizens will be potentially the single most positive social, political, and economic force of the new millennium. This is a slim but significant book, one that provides a number of perceptive cultural insights (e.g. Roszak's description of contemporary youth lost to apathetic and petty diversions in the electronic arcades our culture is devolving into is terrific), & offers a number of ideas for serious discussion & contemplation. I heartily recommend it for any serious student of the social scene. Enjoy!