History Archives

The Fourth Turning Predictions: Were Strauss & Howe Right?

Does history follow a pattern? If so, can we make solid predictions about the future? In The Fourth Turning, historian William Strauss and consultant Neil Howe explain how Anglo-American history follows a pattern of four 15- to 25-year periods, called Turnings. They wrote during a Third Turning, and they made predictions about the Fourth. Keep reading to learn the Fourth Turning predictions they made and how accurate they turned out to be.

The Fourth Turning: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

How do different generations function in society and react to societal changes? How did predictions about America’s future made in 1997 turn out? In their book The Fourth Turning, William Strauss and Neil Howe explain that human history is characterized by a cyclical progression through four “Turnings,” which the authors liken to seasons. Identifying these Turnings can help us understand the past and possibly predict the future. Continue reading for an overview of this insightful book.

Yoga in America: Yogananda’s Legacy in the West

Who contributed to the establishment of yoga in America? Who is Paramahansa Yogananda? Paramahansa Yogananda was a world-renowned yoga practitioner and teacher known for contributing to the adoption of yoga in America, specifically the style of kriya yoga. His goal was to create a spiritual connection between the West and India. Read on to learn how Yogananda played a key role in bringing kriya yoga to America.

The Culture Wars in America: Strauss and Howe’s Third Turning

When did the Culture Wars in America start? What were the wars about? What values came to the fore? William Strauss and Neil Howe wrote The Fourth Turning in 1997, in the midst of America’s most recent Third Turning—the third phase in a four-phase cycle of history. The authors describe the Third Turning in general as an Unraveling. They call the Third Turning which began in 1984 “the Culture Wars.” Read more to learn about the Culture Wars in America and how they fit into the larger historical picture.

The Strauss-Howe Generational Theory (From The Fourth Turning)

Which generation are you? What role do you play in society right now? Do you fit the archetype? According to historian William Strauss and consultant Neil Howe, each generation in society fits into one of four different archetypes: the Prophet, the Nomad, the Hero, and the Artist. In The Fourth Turning, they discuss the role the generations play in each cycle of history. Read on to learn about the Strauss-Howe generational theory, its applications, and its implications.

How Much Has the Earth Warmed? A Deeper Investigation

How much has Earth warmed in the last couple of hundred years? What constitutes an actual change in climate? Former energy industry scientist Steven E. Koonin contends that the Earth’s temperature has warmed since 1900. However, he says that we need to consider two more patterns that contribute to our overall understanding of the matter. Continue reading for Koonin’s assessment of the global temperature increase.

What Was Earth Like Before Humans? “Visit” the Primeval World

What was Earth like before humans? In what environment did the human race emerge? In The World Without Us, science journalist Alan Weisman asks what would happen if the human race vanished overnight. In an effort to figure that out, he begins by understanding what the primeval world was like long before the advent of human civilization. Continue reading to learn about the Earth before humans.

What’s the Impact of Agriculture on the Environment?

Is farming good or bad for the land? How has agriculture changed the world’s landscape? The human race has left a mark on our planet. In The World Without Us, science journalist Alan Weisman investigates that mark, including the impact of agriculture on the environment. He takes a historical look back and a speculative look forward to see what would happen if human activities ceased. Read more to learn how farming impacts the Earth.

The Origin of Human Language: An Evolved Trait?

When and how did human language begin? Why did language develop in the first place? In The Language Instinct, experimental psychologist Steven Pinker argues that language is an innate, biological ability in humans—not just an element of human culture that gets passed from person to person. He discusses the theorized origin of human language—the when, the how, and the why. Read more to learn about the possibilities of this fascinating subject.

The Origin of Pidgin: The Intriguing Story of Language Mashups

What’s pidgin? Why and how does it come about? What’s a creole? Steven Pinker contends that language is biologically innate. The innatist theory provides a key insight into the field of linguistics: It explains the ability of people to spontaneously create new languages. Pinker uses pidgin as an example to illustrate this ability. Keep reading to learn the origin of pidgin and what it tells us about human abilities.