Theodore Roszak, the author of the international bestseller THE MAKING OF A COUNTER CULTURE, returns to investigate the baby boom generation as it prepares to join the ranks of our society's rapidly growing senior population. America the Wise will ignite a nationwide debate that promises to transform our most fundamental ethical and cultural values as well as our economic and political priorities. Roszak argues that the emergence of senior dominance (in numbers, wealth, and political power) will force Americans to rethink their basic attitudes toward death and dying, competition and compassion, wealth and well-being. He mounts a compelling defense of senior entitlements and envisions a society in which the ability to prolong productive and fulfilling lives is regarded as a paramount historic achievement rather than an inconvenient fiscal problem. AMERICA THE WISE provides an insightful look at the changes that await America in every walk of life, from the mass media and business to family life, from our obsession with the cult of youth and consumer culture to sexual and gender relations. Roszak calls upon the newly emerging ranks of our senior population to establish a society based not on the survival of the fittest but on wisdom, compassion, and the survival of the gentlest.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
The times they are a-changin'--again. By the year 2020, people over 60 will account for 25 percent of the American population. Using this statistic as a departure point, Theodore Roszak speculates on the effects of such a demographic shift both on the nation's pocketbook and, more importantly, on its psyche. A long-time evangelist for the "baby boomers," Roszak basically argues in America the Wise that those born between 1946 and 1964 compose a great collective asset to the country, and their social value will only increase as its members move into their twilight years. Crowning them the "New People," Roszak proclaims them to be "the first generation of the senior dominance ... possessed of more political influence, greater wealth, and more vitality than any older generation before us." If in their youth the boomers were energetic, idealistic, and outspoken, then they are now compassionate, wise, powerful, and--thanks to modern medicine and a longer average life span--soon to have plenty of free time on their hands. Time which will be spent performing good deeds, according to Roszak's silver ball. Predicting nothing less than the dawn of a new social ethic of altruism and hope, he proclaims that "the longevity revolution ... may one day be seen as an environmentally imperative stage in the history of our society." Looks like they didn't miss their chance to save the world, after all.
Refuting a spate of recent studies nervously claiming that young people will be burdened by their aging parents even as their own Social Security dries up, Roszak concludes that older boomers will actually support their underemployed children monetarily, as well as provide other valuable services, such as caring for grandchildren while the parents work. An adamant defender of senior entitlements, he insists that the current Social Security program is not in the throes of a crisis nor heading for an inevitable meltdown. Even if left alone, he points out, the system would remain solvent through 2032; with a few subtle tweaks and refinements, Social Security should suffice well into the next century.
America the Wise is more concerned with ethics and cultural values than concrete policy proposals and economics. As a result, portions of the book read like a sentimental self-help guide to living a full life after retirement. Though his moral high-ground stance and feel-good rhetoric can be tiresome, Roszak does offer many compelling ideas on a wide range of topics, including corporate culture, advertising, biotechnology, family life, and an observant take on American youth. In all, his vision is to be admired, even if he oversimplifies at times. If, as Roszak writes, "The future belongs to maturity," then the coming revolution should prove a gentle one indeed. --Shawn Carkonen
From Publishers Weekly
Cultural historian Roszak, who championed anti-establishment youth in his 1969 bestseller, The Making of a Counter Culture, now pins his hopes on the grown-up baby boomers. He argues that "The New People," as he awkwardly calls those entering their 50s, stand poised to become the most progressive, influential senior generation ever, blessed with unprecedented longevity, physical vitality, hungry minds and ambition. Roszak's prediction that large numbers of "New People," imbued with know-how and wisdom, will turn to political activism and volunteer services, triggering a "senior populism" committed to public programs and compassionate policies, is an appealing scenario, but he never provides convincing evidence that this is happening or likely to happen. He addresses subjects that are both important and arguably banal, like the simple-minded immaturity of advertising, which he proposes should be replaced by advertising based on enduring quality rather than on novelty. He does forcefully rebut fiscally conservative critics of Social Security and Medicare entitlements, and his wide-ranging meditation offers trenchant observations on the stunted competitive male psyche, pop culture, cyberpunk fiction, the hype surrounding computers, suicide among the elderly and the risks of anti-aging pills. While it may help aging boomers feel that they are still a special generation, those readers seeking an incisive guide to growing old creatively should try Betty Friedan's The Fountain of Age.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Theodore Roszak (1933-2011) was the author of fifteen books, including the 1969 classic "The Making of a Counter Culture." He was professor emeritus of history at California State University, and lived in Berkeley, California.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Introduction To The Graying Of America!,
By Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: America the Wise: Longevity, Revolution and the True Wealth of Nations (Hardcover)
This is bound to become a provocative & well-debated title; Roszak takes a broad-based series of well-aimed salvos at the conservative "Cassandras" who seem to be confusing the historical elderly dependencies of the past as indicative of what the new elderly composed of the aging baby-boomer generation will become. Nonsense, says Roszak, who argues persuasively that unlike their parents and grandparents, the baby-boomers will compose a revolutionary new social, economic and political force to be reckoned with in their seniority. Given the considerable evidence of the new prosperity the "sixties" generation enjoys, and the likelihood that they will increasingly enjoy better health, more free time, and better opportunities to energetically express themselves than any previous elderly population in history, Roszak sees them as becoming a potent new force in American society, a force that can be usefully harnessed to the benefit of contemporary culture. Given the sheer numbers of the "new" elderly posed to find themselves at loose ends in the next 20 years, and the fact that the demographics of contemporary society are being altered in favor of greater proportions of older citizens (the so-called "graying of America"), it is hard to argue with much of what Roszak describes. Certainly, as a recent early retiree myself, I can attest to the veracity of many of the points he makes in terms of my own situation. At age 53, I hardly see myself as slowing down, or as continuing my former ways in terms of concentrating on a career based primarily on what one ordinarily refers to as economic considerations. In short, I am looking forward to greater involvement in the community, in making substantial personal contributions in terms of time and energy to social issues I am concerned with, and to being more of a resource for family and friends. According to the author, I will not be alone. Tens of millions of my post-war baby-boom generation will soon be smiling beside me. Of course, many critics point out that Roszak has made a long, illustrious career out of chronicling the baby-boomer generation, and that many of his previous notions weren't accurate. Yet for anyone taking the time & energy to read either "The Making of a Counterculture" or "Where the Wasteland Ends" will find that his writing was perceptive, prescient, & insightful. Here, too, he debunks the ideas of conservative nay-sayers like Peter Peterson ("Gray Dawn"), who claim the coming crush of retiring baby-boomers will mean hard times for younger Americans in particular & a troubled economic burden for America in general. "Bosh!" claims Roszak, who points out that the new elderly have more material resources, are better educated, & are much more likely to continue to be gainfully employed after retirement than were their parents or grandparents. Indeed, given the booming economy associated with the digital revolution & the fact that many baby-boomers have unique expertise in the information industry, the "sixties" generation is much more likely to be in a favorable economic situation that any preceding generation of elder citizens. In fact, Roszak believes that they will be of continuing assistance to their children and grandchildren in helping them to continue to live the `good life' they have become accustomed to. Finally, the author provides a great deal of evidence and logic in arguing that the coming new generation swell of elderly citizens will be potentially the single most positive social, political, and economic force of the new millennium. This is a slim but significant book, one that provides a number of perceptive cultural insights (e.g. Roszak's description of contemporary youth lost to apathetic and petty diversions in the electronic arcades our culture is devolving into is terrific), & offers a number of ideas for serious discussion & contemplation. I heartily recommend it for any serious student of the social scene. Enjoy!
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Progressive Tomorrow,
By A Customer
This review is from: America the Wise: Longevity, Revolution and the True Wealth of Nations (Hardcover)
Theodore Roszak's writing is just as inspiring as it was in the 60's with "The Making of the Counter Culture." This man has his thoughts honed in on the pulse of our generation---the baby boomers. No one chronicles the trends of our generation better. His thesis that as the baby boomers grow old the political spectrum will move to the left is fascinating and gives hope to this reader. His thesis is borne out by the fact that more of us are going to be dependent on the "entitlements" programs of the federal government. He goes on to postulate that because the Republicans traditionally oppose these programs, the body politic will move significantly into the Democratic party and in favor of more social programs. Theodore Roszak has brought hope to this reader that we can look forward to a more progressive tomorrow. In spite of current trends like "charter schools" ,"vouchers", Kenneth Starr etc.... there is hope for a new tomorrow!
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