Strauss–Howe Generational Theory and the Fourth Turning

[Mozart]

Ever read something that you already knew to be true subconsciously, but when someone puts it into words and fleshes it out with explanation, it all clicks? The lightbulb moment?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stra...heory#Turnings

Basically, this explains the cycle of struggle, liberty, prosperity, corruption, suffering, repeat. I had no idea about this theory even though it’s been around since the 90s.

Here’s an article for some modern analysis and context for the theory:

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2...of-here-alive/

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2...live-part-two/

[ramairthree]

There have been long standing descriptions of the rise, stabilization, challenges, belessinf, and the. Fall of cultures and civilizations.
With some similar variation of this cycle.

One of the recurring themes for this to incur includes a massive generation outnumbering their bearers, and a large influx or adoption or expansion of members.

Our current situation in the US meets this with the boomer generation able to inflict change, and massive immigration of disparate values and cultures.

[glocktogo]

A couple of good quotes on the matter:

“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain

“...We don't defeat our enemy by giving him a platform to spread the very propaganda they hope will defeat you... You can only have freedom and liberty when others want that for you. When the other side only uses freedom with the hopes of destroying it later once their in charge, it's time to shut them down... They will use our Constitution as long as they need to until they get the power, then watch them trash it.”
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain

Hard times can be deferred or denied with the right type of leadership. Sadly on the nation level, I've yet to see an example of it.

[sundance435]

One of the recurring themes for this to incur includes a massive generation outnumbering their bearers, and a large influx or adoption or expansion of members.

Our current situation in the US meets this with the boomer generation able to inflict change, and massive immigration of disparate values and cultures.

Truer for millennials than for Boomers. Interesting thoughts generated, but it's hardly a predictive model. Technology has an outsized effect that I don't think you can accurately quantify. Also, "generational" was subjective to what region you lived in - it's really a 20th Century concept to even be talking about generations as indicative of a broader attitude or culture.

[Dirk Williams]

Broken down, it's the definition of life. Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. Master these six questions life's good. FYI, changes daily for us all.

DW

[SteyrAUG]

Ever read something that you already knew to be true subconsciously, but when someone puts it into words and fleshes it out with explanation, it all clicks? The lightbulb moment?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stra...heory#Turnings

Basically, this explains the cycle of struggle, liberty, prosperity, corruption, suffering, repeat. I had no idea about this theory even though it’s been around since the 90s.

Here’s an article for some modern analysis and context for the theory:

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2...of-here-alive/

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2...live-part-two/

If you haven't done it yet, read Sapiens. It was the last thing I read that dramatically overhauled my personally held ideas and gave me a new world view. And yes, it seemed like it was there all along but nobody had yet articulated it well enough or fully supported the ideas presented.

[Mozart]

If you haven't done it yet, read Sapiens. It was the last thing I read that dramatically overhauled my personally held ideas and gave me a new world view. And yes, it seemed like it was there all along but nobody had yet articulated it well enough or fully supported the ideas presented.

Thank you, I’ll put it on the list. I have a bunch of books I want to pick up soon, mostly to do with laissez faire capitalism: Murray Rothbard, Von Mises, Tom Woods, etc.

[SteyrAUG]

Broken down, it's the definition of life. Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. Master these six questions life's good. FYI, changes daily for us all.

DW

I agree, and while I don't see any giant holes in the premise, I'd like to see it applied over the last 2,000 years. It seems to be an interpretation of the 20th century and hell CNN could do that. I don't see any groundbreaking, throw out all the previous models of understanding, insights here. It's just a comfortable organization and perspective based upon what we all kind of knew and understand.

[SteyrAUG]

Thank you, I’ll put it on the list. I have a bunch of books I want to pick up soon, mostly to do with laissez faire capitalism: Murray Rothbard, Von Mises, Tom Woods, etc.

Just a word of warning, it's not just a lightbulb moment, it will change a lot of your lightbulbs. I was very resistant to some of the ideas that were presented as "just the way it is" and I did my best to reject/outhink or come up with an alternate explanation but I found myself discarding old lightbulbs.

[prepare]

What cycle are we in now?

And which cycle is next?