A Recipe for Riots

I came across a great article last night on the long term outlook for Generation Y. I really must suggest you all give it a read, however I feel that the author stops short of describing the true situation.

The authors make a good case and comprehensive summary of the problems facing what they coin "generation nixed", however a bias towards civil sanity persists throughout. The authors describe the future of hopelessness as if "generation nixed" is simply going to go along with it. No mention is made of the fact "generation nixed" just might stand up for itself, as has been happening in austerity protests world-wide, as has been happening with the anonymous activist group, or as has been happening with student protests. Just think, that's all happening right now, today, in the present. What do you think life will be like in 10 years and do you all really think that an entire generation which has had all of their prosperity taken from them is just going to stand by and let it happen?

On September 7th, 2011, I made a bold statement:

The response from the system is becoming obvious. A campaign against western youth is well underway. The system knows we are long overdue for a generational revolution, and it just doesn't want to let go. It'll come none-the-less though, it's inevitable. Just as civil unrest has spread like wildfire in Europe and the Arab nations, it will be here too. One day in your streets you will see events like this for yourself. They are gearing up for a war against the generation they've stolen everything from. They know most of us will figure it out one day, and when that day comes the propaganda against them will be in full effect.

Was I wrong? Think about everything that has happened since then, and you can damn well bet that's just the first stage of a very long period of ever escalating civil unrest.

What I don't think the previous generations understand is that "generation nixed" has the power and numbers to "nix" the whole damn system. Complete shutdowns of Greece provide an insight into the despotic future we're heading into. The previous generations may think they have secure pensions at 65, secure jobs, etc. The reality? None of that stuff works when a shutdown is happening. Oh, wow, you have first class tickets for your fancy vacation? That's nice, better hope the air traffic controllers show up to work then, hadn't you? Does your bank account rely on electricity? How about your A.T.M.s?

It's not enough that it is simply recognized that the younger generations face an uphill impossible battle. The previous generations must take responsibility for the train wreck economy they've left the younger generations with.

Canadian Trends: The Real Generational Time-Bomb Isn't in Pensions - May 7th, 2012

Predictably, in the comments of the article, the Baby Boomer's refute the "harder" life youth today face. Guess what, Boomers, I got news for you. It *IS* harder.

• 7 Billion people now populate the world, and it grows exponentially everyday.
• The current generation is in a race for lower wages and in competition with Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs). Oh, those TFW's are needed you say? Well my girlfriend's Oilsands employer just laid off a whole crap load of Canadian employees weeks after hiring Temporary Foreign Workers.
• Businesses owned by Baby Boomers continue looking for new ways to rob us of our benefits. Instead of hiring full time many simply hire more part times, or some just fill "temporary" positions not allowing us to actually be employed by the company thus denying any benefits that would come from that.
• High Frequency Trading dominates the markets, effectively making real investments and returns a losing proposition and the resources for entry are far beyond those that youth typically have.
• Low Interest Rates prevent any ability to save. If I put money away in the bank, it simply degrades in comparison to inflation. Not spending money is losing money in the modern day. Maybe the Baby Boomers don't notice this as they have the money to enter the market and gamble.

source: businessinsider.com

•  Energy, Housing, Food are all sky high in comparison while wages have barely gone anywhere in 30 years. We start at a lower point, with less job security, and much MUCH more turnover.

I could go on and on. But no, none of these facts really exist in the Boomer's minds. In their minds, the younger generations are all lazy and want everything handed to them. Tell you what, Boomers, we won't ask the government for a single god damned fucking thing - if you take full responsibility to repay the debts your generation has accumulated. Don't look to us for your bailouts - and just remember, one day you're going to need us to keep your lives plush. You'll grow old and need a home, but guess what? You'll have left the next generation with so much debt and poverty that help won't be coming. Your general attitudes are "every man for himself", and that's exactly what you're going to get. Just watch.

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Richard Fantin is a self-taught software developer who has mostly throughout his career focused on financial applications and high frequency trading. He currently works for CenturyLink

Nazayh Zanidean is a Project Coordinator for a mid-sized construction contractor in Calgary, Alberta. He enjoys writing as a hobby on topics that include foreign policy, international human rights, security and systemic media bias.