Society 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.

Advancements in Psychology Offer New Ways to Heal & Grow

What are some recent advancements in psychology? How are they creating new opportunities for psychological healing and growth? According to Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal, advancements in psychology are uncovering the mysteries of peak states of consciousness. This cultural shift toward exploring human potential began decades ago and has led to a more open-minded approach to psychological study. Read on to learn how recent advancements in psychology are revealing the potential of peak states of consciousness.

Humans Are Addicted to Technology—Here’s What to Blame

Why are people today addicted to technology? Why do we need to get rid of the “Like” button? Humans are addicted to technology, and there’s no arguing against that. User Friendly by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant has an answer for why: user-friendliness makes it impossible to do anything without relying on technology. Find out why user-friendly design isn’t always such a good thing.

Michelle Obama on Racism and Mental Health

How does racial discrimination affect one’s mental health? What psychological problems are victims of racial discrimination likely to suffer from? Discrimination occurs when a person is different from the majority in some way and is treated poorly because of those differences. In her book The Light We Carry, Michelle Obama writes that being discriminated against on the basis of superficial differences (e.g. race) makes people self-conscious and primes them to behave in ways that are acceptable to others. Here’s what Michelle Obama has to say about racism and mental health.

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.

Advancements in Neuroscience Decode Higher Consciousness

What are some important advancements in neuroscience? How have they helped us to understand different forms of human consciousness? According to the book Stealing Fire, advancements in neuroscience are decoding peak states of consciousness. With new technologies, researchers are uncovering the conditions that correlate with these states, allowing us to distinguish between normal consciousness and peak states. Read on to learn how these advancements in neuroscience are helping to explain peak states of consciousness.

There Are Too Many Apps—Here’s Why We Should Only Need One

How many apps do you have on your phone? Are there too many apps to keep up with? One of the main issues with technology today is that there’s too much of it. You have to use so many products and apps to perform tasks, when it would be much easier to just have a single app for everything. If you agree that there are too many apps for everything, keep reading for the solution.

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.

Does the U.S. Need New Banking Rules After the Fall of SVB?

What are the pros and cons of adopting new banking rules in the U.S.? Do we need stronger banking regulations? Banking regulations are a hotly debated topic in the U.S. currently, with some arguing that they provide essential consumer protections and others contending that they stifle competition and innovation. Now, with the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, there’s an even greater push for new banking rules. Read on to learn about the debate over new U.S. banking rules, based on various experts’ perspectives.

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.