Ep. 211: Generational differences and civil liberties with Neil Howe

In late 2013,some of us at FIRE started noticing a change on college campuses. Students, who were previously the strongest constituency for free speech on campus, were turning against free speech. They began appealing to administrators more frequently for protection from different speakers and using the language of trauma and safety to justify censorship.

What changed?

Neil Howe may have an answer. He is a historian, economist, and demographer who speaks frequently on generational change. His most recent book, “TheFourth Turning is Here,” was published last year. Howe argues that history has seasonal rhythms of growth, maturation, entropy, and rebirth and that different generations take on different attributes reflecting their place in the cycle.

Joining Howe and host Nico Perrino for the conversation is FIRE President and CEO Greg Lukianoff, co-author of “TheCanceling of the American Mind."

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction

6:10 Neil’s intent with his book, “Generations”

13:12Pattern in American history

17:08The nomad archetype

25:00Covid and the younger generation

27:28Do people shape events?

35:35Gen-Xers and Millennials

41:45The Fourth Turning

50:24William James’ “The Moral Equivalent of War”

57:08Are Gen-Z actually Millennials?

58:10Dominant generations

01:06:40How do generational cycles impact civil liberties?

01:10:57Summary of Millennials

01:18:15Peaceful periods lead to greater inequality

1:19:16Outro

Show Notes

Neil Howe’s Substack, “Demography Unplugged”

Greg Lukianoff’s Substack, “The Eternally Radical Idea”