*Youthanize now!”* – Futurist Jim Carroll
In Season 4, Episode 17 of the show The Office, the inept manager Michael spends a moment to explain why he wants to recruit young interns for the office - and says he wants to euthanize things (which means ending a person's life by a serum to end suffering from an incurable disease.). Since then, some have suggested that he was coining a new phrase, "Youthanize".
Let's run with it!
The world's in a bit of a mess. Some folks are hanging around too long. Have you noticed how the political leadership in the US seems to be getting, well... a bit long in the tooth? Some wonder if RBG and Joe had retired when they should have, things might have been different.
Let's look at the Senate, where the average age is pushing 65, but many are in their 80s and 90s! We've got the so-called Silent Generation and Baby Boomers dominating the scene, while Millennials—who represent a huge chunk of the population—barely have a seat at the table. And the fact is, this isn't just about numbers on a birth certificate; it's about who's making decisions about the future. So far, it's not going well, because these old folks don't seem to know how to battle back in this new era of fast-moving, social media-driven events. We're not at a Chuck-e-Cheese restaurant anymore.
Don't slam me for ageism - that's not my intent. Many of us will live longer, with minds as sharp as yesterday - but with wisdom, we should also know when to get out of the way.
I've spent my career watching how organizations evolve and adapt, and I can tell you this: for today's younger generations, constant change is like oxygen. They've grown up with technology transforming around them daily. They don't fear innovation—they expect it! Meanwhile, we're seeing concerning signs in the political leadership, from public "freezing episodes" to declining cognitive health, with a Pentagon study even flagging dementia among aging officials as a national security concern. (Um, ponder that for a moment. Like, ponder it. Are they trying to tell us something?)
Here's what fascinates me: industries that welcome young people as idea generators tend to have massive agility and a high "change quotient." But the current political system seems designed to keep them out! Between gerrymandering, polarization, and the incredible advantages of incumbency, we've created a system where someone who is 74 years old and battling terminal cancer—can still be chosen for leadership because, in his words, "I've never had my chance." Meanwhile, a younger person who has the fire-breathing dragon anger needed in these complex times - is shut out of that opportunity because she's 'too young'.
Does this sound like an organization positioned for future success? NOT!
#Youth #Innovation #Leadership #Change #Generations #Future #Adaptation #Perspective #Renewal #Progress
Original post: https://jimcarroll.com/2025/03/decoding-tomorrow-your-daily-future-inspiration-youthanize-now/
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