As we prepare the way for the next generation, we must consider what kind of legacy we will leave behind. What will history say about us?
What will our children and grandchildren think about the decisions we made, the values we held, and the way we lived?
Our choices today will shape the world we leave for future generations. What will our children and grandchildren think of the path we’ve chosen? What will they say we did rightly or wrongly?
In this blog post, we’ll explore different areas of life and contemplate what the next generation might say about us in each domain. In this article, the next generation would refer to us as “They”.
Culture
We have seen a significant shift in cultural values in recent years, with a stronger focus on inclusivity and acceptance of people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and viewpoints.
Through movements like Black Lives Matter and other rights advocacy, our generation has made significant progress towards promoting social justice and equality.
The next generation would likely acknowledge our progress and appreciate the efforts made to create a more inclusive society.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Culture
They celebrated diversity but failed to foster true understanding.
They paid lip service to inclusion but created echo chambers of like-minded people. They prized political correctness over honest debate.
They focused on consumerism and individualism, which can lead to a lack of community and a sense of disconnectedness.
Lifestyle
Our era has seen an increase in awareness of the importance of sustainable living practises.
As concerns about climate change and environmental degradation grow, many of us have embraced eco-friendly practises such as recycling, waste reduction, and support for renewable energy.
The next generation may appreciate our efforts to adopt more sustainable lifestyles and the foundation we’ve laid for a greener future.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Lifestyle
They lavished material excess on themselves while denying necessities to too many.
They obsessed over convenience, comfort, and efficiency at the cost of meaning, purpose, and deeper relationships.
They traded experiences for superficial social media posts. They lacked focus on mental health and well-being, as they often prioritised work and productivity over self-care.
Technology
From smartphones to artificial intelligence, rapid technological advancements have had a profound impact on our daily lives.
The next generation will likely regard us as digital age pioneers who shaped the technological landscape they will inherit.
They may also recognise the ethical quandaries we faced when dealing with issues such as privacy, data security, and the consequences of automation.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Technology
They are overly reliant on technology, not knowing the negative impact it can have on mental health and social skills.
They neglected the ethical implications of certain technologies, such as artificial intelligence and facial recognition.
They built devices to connect us, but they disconnected us from each other and nature.
They were so focused on progress that they failed to consider how innovations might degrade well-being.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Science
Our generation has seen remarkable scientific breakthroughs in fields like medicine, genetics, and space exploration.
The next generation will likely look back on these achievements with admiration and gratitude, particularly as they continue to build on the knowledge we’ve acquired.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Scientific Inventions
They lacked the strength to control climate change and the negative effects of pollution on our planet.
They failed to evaluate the ethics of animal testing and our use of genetically modified organisms.
They couldn’t make healthcare available or affordable for most.
They exploited scientific knowledge for profit and control rather than for the betterment of humanity.
They knew how to solve so many problems but lacked the political will or moral courage to do so.
Health
In recent years, mental health has come to be recognised as an important component of overall well-being.
Our understanding of mental health disorders has grown, and we’ve made strides in removing the stigma associated with these issues.
The next generation will most likely appreciate our increased emphasis on mental health and the steps we’ve taken to improve support and resources.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Chances of Improving Health
They focused on treating illness rather than preventing it. They also lacked focus on mental health and well-being, as well as the negative impact of sedentary lifestyles on our physical health.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Education
To keep up with the rapidly changing world, we must constantly learn new things. Many members of our generation are pursuing higher education and participating in self-directed learning, demonstrating how much they value this idea.
The next generation would probably understand the value we place on education and personal development, which would motivate them to keep learning throughout their lives.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Education
They failed to cultivate citizens and nurture whole human beings. They valued credentials over skill and wisdom.
They turned education into a system of indoctrination, standardisation, and test scores, rather than a quest for truth and deeper understanding.
They lacked focus on environmental education and the importance of sustainability. They accepted the rising cost of higher education and the impact it has on socioeconomic inequality.
Agriculture
Our generation has begun to investigate alternative agricultural practises like organic farming, vertical farming, and regenerative agriculture due to growing concerns about both the environment and the availability of food on a global scale.
These initiatives may be remembered by the next generations as a turning point in how we produce food, demonstrating our commitment to developing a more sustainable and responsible food system.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Agricultural System
They allowed the negative impact of factory farming on the environment and animal welfare. They lacked focus on sustainable agriculture and the importance of local food systems.
They industrialised food production but compromised health, sustainability, ethics, and justice along the way.
They prioritised high yield and low cost over nutrition, soil health, humane treatment of animals, and fair wages for farmers.
They lost their connection to food as a source of life and community.
Entertainment
The introduction of streaming services has drastically altered how we consume entertainment, providing us with unprecedented access to a vast library of movies, TV shows, and music.
The next generation may look back on our time as the start of the streaming revolution and remember binge-watching their favourite shows.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Entertainment
They accumulated passive distractions and escapism rather than experiences that enrich and inspire.
They valued spectacle and ratings over authentic creativity or artistic merit.
They forgot that entertainment should lift us, not dumb us down. They confused pleasure with meaning or joy.
Sexual Orientation
In challenging prevailing attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender identity, our generation has been instrumental.
The younger generation would probably be aware of our efforts to advance tolerance and acceptance and appreciate the foundation we have built for a more accepting and inclusive society.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Sexual Orientation
They allowed for issues of human nature such as transgender rights and the impact of discrimination on mental health.
They also had an impact on traditional gender roles and stereotypes in our society.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Business
In recent years, we’ve seen a shift in the business world towards social entrepreneurship and companies that prioritise social and environmental goals alongside financial ones.
next generations may admire our efforts to redefine business success and create a more ethical corporate environment.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Business Pattern
Some of their business practises harmed large corporations, the environment, and the exploitation of workers in developing countries.
They laid less emphasis on profit over social and environmental responsibility.
Politics
We have applied randomness to the inclusion of individuals in choosing leaders through technological means. Choosing leaders during elections is now less hectic than it used to be.
Their Expected Reproval: What They Would Say About Our Political System
Their political system lacked adequate representation and equality, particularly for marginalised communities.
They created symptoms of money in politics and a lack of action on important issues such as fair voting and social justice.
While a straightforward verdict on our generation may remain elusive, some things seem certain. Certain moral wrongs will likely be judged harshly by history:
- Failure to provide necessities and essential human dignity to vast swaths of humanity will be viewed as inexcusable.
- Climate, biodiversity, and natural resource actions that endanger the integrity of the life support systems that sustain us all will be condemned as dangerously shortsighted.
- Misinformation, propaganda, outrage, and algorithms that polarise rather than inform will be seen as threats to justice, truth, and progress.
- Neglecting civic responsibilities in favour of selfish interests and prioritising money over ethics may be a stain on an era. And some societal evolutions will most likely be seen as rights that increase human freedom, flourishing, and fairness.
- Moves towards inclusion, diversity, equity, and civil rights that allowed more people to share equally in society’s benefits and duties.
- Redefining success and well-being beyond the accumulation of goods and advocating for meaning, relationships, experiences, health, and happiness
- Platforms for connection and knowledge sharing provide opportunities for learning, open debate, and exposure to new perspectives.
- Recognition of fundamental equality among all people, regardless of class, identity, background, or religious beliefs.
Conclusion
Mistakes and moral progress can be found in nearly every aspect of society. There are reasonable arguments on both sides of the issue, and the paths forward are rarely clear or straightforward.
But one thing is certain: our choices today, wise or foolish, will shape the world our children inherit – and the legacy we leave behind, for better or worse.
If there is one more lesson we can impart, let it be that humankind still has a great deal more potential for good than for danger.
And that each generation bears the weight of the one before it, bearing with it the duty to create a better world and the advantage of having a clearer perspective.
The road is long, but history bends in the direction of progress if we keep going and pick optimism over pessimism, bravery over fear, and justice all around.
The future has not yet been written. The moment is now. We are free to choose.
