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The Making of an Elder Culture: Reflections on the Future of America's Most Audacious Generation

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Interesting facts are put forward explaining why the Elder generation is now synonymous with modern day culture.

The opening chapter tells us what we are to read about in the pages to follow, that gerontocracy is to lead the world forward, the economy, medical science, and other sectors; `senior dominance' (Ch.1) is synonymous with modern day society which could veer the direction of the economy back to an impoverished state, to recession, if i-Phones, HDTV, fashionable clothes and the latest American icon don't appeal to the growing number of over-Fifties consumers.

The background information on demographic trends since the late 19th century explains the book title of why the older generation of baby boomers are setting the trends for our economy and researches in the medical and scientific fields. The point sways towards the Elder generation as having the best education and for being more socially aware than the younger generation as well as being at the forefront of contributing to researches which are leading to longer life expectancy, 100 years and more towards the 22nd Century , new cultural ideas and ways of living through being brought up on entitlements which put our economy into good use rather than in investing it in wars with other nations; counter cultural ideas which questioned the meaning of sanity and the decline of the urban industrial society for a simpler lifestyle which explores the human psyche and the soul.

An interesting point about the economic impracticality of continually supporting the Elder generation through their entitlements, ensues and the solution of taxed based programmes being implemented in the social infrastructure of state pensions and the burgeoning effect of increasing healthcare funding.

The points put forward for the boomers of the mid-60s and 70s continues with youthful protest against the Vietnam war, the growth of a multicultural society, women's and gay liberation, racial justice, sexual freedom and environmental issues. With the boomer generation growing old, we are given an insight into how they have positively influenced cultural and political thoughts and acts, bringing `hard-won maturity' to politics (Ch.2).

Industrial growth in areas such as the entertainment industry and professional sports are seen as positive steps towards making early retirement possible and beneficial to all sectors of society, yet the discussion veer towards how the boomers will be seen in a century from now as making a change in society towards a healthier and more spiritually rewarding lifestyle - towards a Utopian existence, conscious awareness and away from the consumer oriented `rat race'.

Minimal economy versus surplus economy (ch.6) such as the essential needs like a cell/mobile phone to communicate in comparison to `entrepreneurial compulsives', the most current must-haves, the spendthrifts.

From the boomer period of the psychedilics and the narcotics we see how a new political outlook changes our view of life and society and how men's perception of themselves as macho and masculine and capable of leading the way forward. themselves, the `big-boss shots', the alpha male syndrome (Ch.8) and as Freud would describe it as the `primal horde' in relation to the Oedipus complex and which opposes mentoring on a more compassionate level.

The difference between now, with the prolonged presence of AIDS and a turn towards Evangelical spiritual awareness, and then, in the Sixties, at a time when the flower power period swayed public opinion on sexuality, is that Christians are brandishing oral sex as causing gonorrhoea of the throat; modern day parents are thinking seriously about having designer babies in the labs and generally the younger generation are veering towards the lines of loyalty, a term defined as lacking the `emotional juice of desire, lust, passion, sensuality' (Ch.9).

Elders are described in this book as `wisdom keepers' (Ch.10) quote by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Ronald S. Miller.

This book sets out to show how those from the boomer generation are generating new ideas on health matters, spirituality and ways to keep the environment from destroying itself too soon for `the best economy of cities is the care and cultore of men' (Ch.11).

There are some very convincing and rational concepts towards understanding how the elder generation can contribute so much to society and help make us as human beings, more aware of the political and cultural changes around us and that we shouldn't lose sight of this.

The title refers to Roszak's earlier "The Making of a Counterculture" from 1969, which I read then with enormous pleasure, and a sense of "corroboration." It was to a certain extent a validation of the youth culture of those idealistic days, a period which brought an end to a senseless war, fostered the environmental movement, among much else, and never ceases to be vilified by the far right as the source of all evil. The youth of those days are now today's elders, the Boomers grown old, and Roszak makes in the present book an equally compelling appeal to this huge demographic to take the lead in transforming the country once more. The hope is that many among them will take up the challenge, and not spend their remaining years in indolent comfort. His scholarship is impressive, the writing eloquent but no nonsense, and his suggestions are worth serious consideration by readers of any age, but especially by those with years of experience to draw on.

This book is an effort to reframe the tidal wave of aging that is sweeping through the developed world. Usually the increased percentage of older people is viewed primarily in economic terms as somewhat of a disaster. Roszak wants to reframe the aging of society as a potential positive. His hope is that the emerging wave of elders will constitute an elder culture in which motives such as ecological and social concern, compassion and care and a larger vision will dominate and benefit society. It is a hopeful and hopefully valuable reframe away from the negative and predominately economic views that have dominated to date.

However there are also problems. Roszak assumes that the older population will effectively mature and grow wise and compassionate. However, it's by no means clear this will happen. Research shows that there is unfortunately little correlation between age and wisdom. A survey of golf clubs and retirement homes suggests that the elders are a mixed population, which is hardly surprising. One hopes Roszak is right, but it is not clear if this is more than a hope.

The book is marred by an unnecessarily aggressive tone towards conservatives. This is not to say that many of Roszak's arguments against conservative views are wrong; some of his arguments seem right. However, one would hope for a wiser, more compassionate perspective than Roszak always presents.

Other areas seem less than adequately treated. The discussion of psychedelics suggest they had little enduring social or political impact. However, there is considerable evidence that psychedelics spawned a large number of social movements and these are described in the book Higher Wisdom: Eminent Elders Discuss the Continuing Impact of Psychedelics.

However, Roszak has made a valuable contribution and we can only hope that his claim that an elder culture will emerge and that it will embody wisdom and compassion is correct.

Brilliant, timely and hopeful analysis of what we can accomplish as we become wise elders. Time to tune out the doomsday naysayers and look to real creative possibilities. I'm sending this out as gifts to friends and family as well as encouraging my book group to read and discuss it. We can make our golden years productive. Thanks Ted! Glad you finished it before you departed.

Having read an interview with Theodore Roszak in Macleans Magazine, I was persuaded to buy this book. I was not disappointed. He has done a substantial amount of research and it shows. It was as interesting as it was thought provoking. Every once in a while he shows some partisan 'colours' but on balance his comments are balanced and his points cogent. Perhaps civilization's salvation does indeed lie to a great degree in its aging. A worthwhile addition to anyone's book collection.

This is a book written by an elderly for a Boomer generation. Launched as a sequel to an earlier book, "Making of a Counter Culture," Roszak updates his focus on this generation, while inviting the younger generation to look into his exhortation to the Boomers. He tries to drum up this generation by invoking their previous passions such as `ideas about love, freedom, responsibility, democracy, success and personal worth,' arguing that these are still `relevant' for today. (287)

THE GOOD: There are several good points Roszak points out. The chief value of this book is that it gives us an insider perspective of the struggles and unfair treatments meted out on the elder population. It is a book for us to cherish and remember that we too, will get old one day. Why not begin treating all persons, both young and old with courtesy and respect?

THE CONTROVERSIAL: There are some controversies as well, like letting nature's way of solving the global overpopulation and overconsumption problem. In the light of society's focus on longetivity and prolonging health care, this idea implicitly means we ease up on such prolonging efforts.

THE UGLY: The author tends to have a negative attitude toward religion, specifically evangelical types. He writes about it in a derogatory manner. At one point, he rattles on, blaming the evangelicals for creating directly/indirectly the problems of a sex-crazed culture.

In the book, creating an 'elder culture' is equivalent to creating a culture of interdependency. There are good observations made by the author. It is also a great opportunity for the young to see the perspective of the elderly, how they have been mistreated. Unfortunately, the combative tones at various aspects of the book may work against his universal call for all toward an interdependent culture.

conrade