Unto the Seventh Generation: short-term thinking versus sustainable life

 There are a number of First Nation quotes concerning the matter, but the most famous quote about the “seventh generation” comes from the Great Law of Peace of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy: “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”

This quote, and philosophy, does not apply to every First Nation, African tribe, Australian aboriginal group, etc. But the quote, inclusive of a much closer association with the land as stewards rather than possessors, does apply to many.

As part of “colonization”, a focus on economic gain, as well as power structures and control, soon dismissed, and overcame, any such far-reaching philosophy. Short-term results became a paramount value of colonial societies and it continues to be embedded in our cultures to this day.

“The seventh generation.” Right now, we have a long list of “generations” that have been named. (It used to just be “in my mother’s time” or “in my great-uncle’s time”.) Modern usage groups people into 20-year “generations”. The Generations presently talked about are the Lost, Greatest, Silent, Baby Boom, Generation X, Millennial (or Generation Y), Z (or iGen), Alpha, and Beta generations. The boundaries are specific for statistical purposes but fuzzy for self-application (such as, “I am Gen Z”).

The Millennial Generation folks (presently the largest population group) are considered to have been born in the years 1981 through 1996 and Generation Z from 1997 through 2010 (so, as of the publication of this newsletter, ages 15 through 28). Since actual decisions are difficult to pin to a specific generation (in spite of fingers pointed at “Boomers”) it is difficult to say how many generations since a decision has been made. Certainly, the Gen Z people are within the seventh generation ages to consider and, globally, Gen Z are presently saying (in less polite terms) “your decisions have screwed up our lives and we want it corrected now”. They are within that window of first generation to seventh generation and they recognize that they were not taken into consideration when the decisions, which have resulted in the current world situation, were made.

People within the earlier generations looked to the quarterly report and definitely did not look to the seventh generation. Note that it is not the ENTIRE generations that are responsible — many have actively protested against a short-term mentality — but the decision makers and those actively making the rules have done a very poor job when they planned (if there was any plan) their present with its effects on current days. With the Millennials in the plurality and the Gen Zs struggling to enter into a healthy economy, there will be much pressure world-wide to clean up the messes that have resulted.

“Messes”? What “messes”?

• Climate/Ecology — short-term use for short-term benefits, with almost no long-term views, has directly led to accelerated climate change, overwhelming pollution, species destruction, and a general lessening of the ability of the planet to support us.

• Economic — general resources have been encouraged to be concentrated into the hands of the few as the goal of some type of “game” and the world is left with millions of people lacking food, clothing, education, security and realistic hopes for the future.

• Education — Many in the past have said that our children, and their education, is of the greatest importance. But there has been no follow-through with the provision of adequate resources and support for needed for proper education. In the US there is a majority of adults with the equivalent of less than a fifth grade reading level. The education system is currently left to rely on those who steadfastly look beyond their own welfare and needs in order to try to fill in positions for teachers and librarians in overpopulated schools and classrooms.

• Divisiveness — based on economic and power interests, countries and people have been deliberately encouraged to compete against each other for dwindling resources rather than collectively to improve conditions.

Much damage has been done, and there is a lot of anger, but if we can collectively use that anger to create healthier paths to the future, life can truly become the “better place” toward which politicians say we are moving toward.

Culture shifts are very difficult but they are even more difficult when not attempted. It is up to all of us to strive for a change that reaches for, and creates, a better future.

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The Shark Must Move: Investment for the Future

     A shark breathes by having the water flow past its gills so that it can extract oxygen. If it stops moving, fresh oxygenated water does not continue to flow past its gills and it dies. Unless outside factors are supporting them, companies, groups, and individuals must keep moving or they will not prosper. Perhaps they will linger but they will not thrive. 

     Once a company goes public, there are strong expectations. They come from analysts, from stockholders, from a board of directors. Very few of them have the benefit of a long-range view. Tell them that you'll have something amazing in three or four years and they may say "that's nice, what do you have for me now?" Thus, the pressure is steady to accomplish within the short term -- a quarterly viewpoint.

     Within a family, the range of returns stretches out a bit. As long as there is a known goal to be approached and some type of progress, towards that goal, which can be recognized then all is smooth on the front.

    We have three aspects of preparing for the future. First is to understand the goal we wish to approach. Note that a goal must include the definition of a journey but it does not always include a requirement to reach the destination. Perhaps it is an iterative goal and process. Second, we need to commit to doing what is needed to move towards that goal. Third, we need planned activity and movement to go towards that goal. Definition, commitment, movement.

     There is a dream. It may not be reached but it is a direction. My company died because we had no direction of growth beyond providing the best current product and support that we could. That is NOT a bad "mission statement" but it doesn't keep the shark moving. As our market shrank so did the company.

     Doing what you currently do is great for the day to day -- until it isn't. Sometimes a company, or individual, will succeed in being able to just continue to provide small improvements and, if the market remains strong and competition weak, that can keep the shark moving enough to stay alive. But, if the market changes or the competition becomes stronger and better funded, it is not enough and you can only look forward to dwindling results.

     Assume you have decided upon that goal. First living person on Mars perhaps? Are you willing to commit? Will you allocate enough resources to realistically move towards the goal? Resources may include time, money, labor, thought, negotiations, etc. A company may succeed in deciding upon a goal but be so restricted in outlook towards the next quarter's profit and production that there is no true commitment toward any long-term goal. 

     Sometimes people find themselves devoting all their time and energy to staying alive. Just like providing a great product and support, staying alive is devotion to the present and it is NOT a bad thing. But it won't move you towards your goal. "Success stories" are often about people who commit more than they thought they had in order to move towards a goal. Night classes? Writing that great novel in the hour before sunrise each day? Finding a job that allows study during the time one is watching over an incoming queue?

     Commitment is recognition that the future cannot be ignored.

     Having decided upon the direction (recognizing that you might not achieve the final goal) and committing to do what is needed to move towards that goal, you now have to move. Further education? Active networking? Setting aside income for savings? Reducing quarterly dividends to allow for more research and development? Possibly (but not as a first step) your commitment and belief is strong enough that you decide to hasten the accumulation of money by taking out a loan. Many businesses have begun with an extra mortgage on a house (or of the founder's parents' house).

     And if you achieve that goal? Start the process over again. Keep the shark moving.