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It has been recently reported that the United States military is not fulfilling its recruitment goals. While there may be several reasons behind this, including obesity, drug use, criminal records, and lack of patriotism, a common underlying theme seems to be a lack of meaning in our lives. This lack of meaning can be attributed to an erosion of many of our societal values.
Many such values, such as honesty, patriotism, sacrifice, charity, morality, and holiness, have figured into American politics and society since its inception. Most historically held Western values, to a large extent, can be traced back to the Judeo-Christian values of the Bible , both the Old and New Testament. These values have been instrumental in contributing to society in various ways, including winning two world wars, rebuilding Europe through the Marshall Plan, the ongoing expansion of voting rights, the pursuit of equality, providing college education and free public high school, the GI Bill, Social Security, the Peace Corp, open immigration, taking in refugees, and promoting diversity and tolerance that facilitated economic growth through creativity.
Religious values can be a powerful force for good in society when they promote compassion, empathy, and kindness towards others. These values are grounded in the idea of treating others as we would like to be treated, and they can help foster a sense of community and togetherness that is essential for creating a better world. It's important to note, however, that some religious values can be used to promote judgment and intolerance towards those who are perceived as different. This can be harmful and counterproductive, as it can lead to division and conflict, rather than unity and understanding. Whether it's through volunteering at a local charity, helping a neighbor in need, or simply treating others with kindness and respect, religious values that prioritize compassion can have a profound impact on our communities and the world as a whole.
These values are most effectively exemplified when we are connected to one another. But we live in a time of great isolation. Yes, we are bombarded with information and social media feeds, which overwhelm most of us and isolate many, leading to anxiety, stress, and depression. Studies have found that social media use can predict declines in subjective well-being in young adults and increase depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among U.S. adolescents. However, a shared set of values can be a very powerful animating principle of society and a shared sense of values can also be a great source of individual meaning in our lives. Therefore, it is essential to create a balance between our online and offline lives . We need to take a break from social media and spend more time in nature, pursuing hobbies, and socializing with friends and family. We need to focus on building meaningful relationships, volunteering for a cause, and contributing to society. We need to reconnect with our values and prioritize them in our lives.
It is not just the military struggling to recruit. The issue is wider than that. Individual sources of meaning need to be examined. What gives us a sense of purpose? What are the values we want to uphold, and how do we do that in our daily lives? Family, self-improvement, charity, education, sacrifice, leaving a legacy - these are all sources of meaning that can help us find direction and purpose.
Drawing parallels to President Carter's "Crisis of Confidence" speech of 1979 , also known as the "Malaise" speech, can help us understand the depth of the issue. In the speech, Carter discussed the various problems that were ailing America at the time, including inflation, energy shortages, and the declining economy. He argued that these issues were symptomatic of a deeper crisis of confidence that was affecting the American people, and that the country needed to come together to address these challenges. Carter argued that the crisis of confidence was driven by a sense of disillusionment and a lack of direction, which he attributed to a focus on materialism and individualism, over community and shared values. He called on Americans to embrace a sense of national purpose and to work together to overcome the challenges facing the country.
One serious challenge to our being able to do today what Carter recommended over 45 years ago is our current culture’s inability to agree and even reasonably discuss what our set of common values should be. In fact, it’s noteworthy that there’s been a shift in many quarters to favoring some Western values like materialism and narcissism over certain other historic Western values, such as harmony and good will.
A lack of meaning in our lives is a problem that affects us all, and it can be attributed to an erosion of values. Values are essential in our contributing positively to society, but they need to be inclusive and not used as a tool for marginalization. A shared sense of values can also be a great source of individual meaning in our lives. We also need to reconnect with our best values and prioritize them in our lives, to find direction and purpose. Drawing inspiration from Carter's speech, we need to work together to overcome the challenges facing us and embrace a sense of national purpose. Only then can we build a better future for ourselves and our communities.
One practical approach to consider could be to acknowledge that individuals can find purpose and meaning in life through a variety of sources, including a sense of community, personal growth, or social justice. While some people find fulfillment through spirituality or religion, others may find it through secular means. It's also important to recognize that individuals can hold different beliefs and still work towards common goals. By our making it a societal goal to pursue a reasonable national dialogue focusing on shared values and goals, rather than specific beliefs or affiliations, we can create a more inclusive and collaborative society. Instead of framing the conversation in terms of a "Higher Power," (which could be off-putting to non-believers in such), we could focus on the importance of cultivating a sense of purpose and of connecting to “something larger than ourselves”. This could include a commitment to social justice, environmentalism, or simply a desire to make a positive impact on the world.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a more inclusive and respectful dialogue, where people of all backgrounds and beliefs can come together to work towards a better future for all.
CATCH UP ON RECENT EPISODES https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-61-john-andrew-entwistle-of-wander/id1338978270?i=1000612371049
Our recent interview just out this week with John Andrew Entwistle, founder and CEO of Wander, is a great conversation focused on the young but rapidly growing proptech startup looking to challenge Airbnb. Over the course of their discussion, Jim and John cover work-life balance, building community, how John started out in the property business, and the current state of venture funding. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-60-shomik-dutta-of-overture/id1338978270?i=1000609458228
Shomik Dutta, former member of the Obama White House and managing partner of Overture VC, sits down with Jim to discuss Overture's focus on sustainable energy and climate tech. The conversation covers the current state of innovation in sustainable energy through the VC lens, the improvements in material science, and the relationship between government and the private sector. A truly enlightening discussion.