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May 31, 2005
Thoughts : Still Turning
I am still thinking through the book "The Fourth Turning" (see yesterday's post). Here's my quick summary of the cycle:
1. An event drives people band together for the common good. Individualism is (voluntarily) set aside for reasons of efficiency. Civic institutions are built up to strengthen the community.
2. A strong, conformist and efficient society becomes materially prosperous but spiritually weak. Non-conformity is treated harshly. Civic institutions reach their peak of power and prestige.
3. An event drives people to seek spiritual enlightenment. Civic institutions are challenged and torn down. Individualism is encouraged, and personal growth is valued over material gain.
4. An individualistic, but inefficient society supports spiritual development (as defined by the individual) but is materially weak - often a balloon waiting to burst. Remaining civic institutions are torn apart by culture wars because of such diverse and passionate views.
1(again). An event drives people band together for the common good....
BTW – according to their theory, what we were living in (at least up until 2001, perhaps later) was/is the equivalent of the roaring 20's, and we are at the start the equivalent of the cultural change that occurred during the great depression and WWII. They are not predicting a depression or a war, only that some event (my guess from hindsight is 9/11) will begin a cascade of changes in society which will increase government power, increase censorship, strengthen institutions over individuality, etc. Remember this was written in the 90's
Posted by Steven at May 31, 2005 05:44 PM
Comments
Spooky...as long as we don't get to 1984 with this stuff...I'd like big brother to remain a tv show... or other work of fiction.
Posted by: Anne at May 31, 2005 08:00 PM
