kosmos: Strauss–Howe generational theory

Evidence: 100 • authority: 72

The Strauss–Howe generational theory, devised by William Strauss and Neil Howe, describes a theorized recurring generation cycle in American and Western history in which historical events are associated with recurring generational personas called archetypes. Each generational persona unleashes a new era (called a "turning") lasting around 21 years, in which a new social, political, and economic climate ("mood") exists. They are part of a larger cyclical "saeculum", a long human life, which usually spans around 85 years, although some saecula have lasted longer. The theory states that a crisis recurs in American history after every saeculum, which is followed by a recovery ("high"). During t…

Evidence: 24 • authority: 88

The Generational Renewal Constraint: Temporal Limits on How Societies Reorganize Around New Knowledge. <p>Knowledge can now be produced, transmitted, and recombined at near-instantaneous speed. Yet the social structures through which knowledge acquires authority — education, credentials, professional jurisdiction, organizational position, standards, and responsibility — are reproduced by people who move through them over time. This paper develops the generational renewal constraint. When a change in knowledge touches the rules by which a field trains, selects, certifies, promotes, authorizes, and sets standards, deep renewal requires a sufficient share of key positions to become aligned wit…