The fact is, the old have always ruled the young. And much to the dismay of the youth.

There are two major cultural differences between the past fact of a gerontocracy and the current era of intergenerational conflict dynamics. The first is that the generation that pioneered the idea of “never trust anyone over the age of 30” is now well into their twilight years. The second dynamic is that communications technology has made it so that resentment, envy, jealousy, vanity, and greed can be expressed and disseminated at a scale and speed that radio, television, and newspapers of the past could not even hope to get to.

In principle, this means that the current youth can spread their resentment about the old folks ruling them a lot faster. In spite of the fact that it was the old folks that created the culture of youth worship we all currently inhabit. And just like any other form of idolatry, youth is a brutal and unforgiving judge of everything no longer youthful. Or old.

To return to a place where the wisdom of the old is genuinely sought, and where they have genuine wisdom to provide based on the fruits of their own youth, is going to be almost impossible in the current communications environment in which we live. How that will play out over the course of time- let’s say over the course of the next saeculum cycle of 80 years in the West, roughly 2030 to 2110- is anyone’s guess. And I really do mean anyone, because very few of us reading this now will be alive to see it all play out.

I think we’re stuck with a gerontocracy. It’s built into human reality. But I don’t think we need to continue to surrender to the idolatry of youth and the smooth-headed machinations and arguments of ill-informed communications culture.