Our Culture
American students are being raised and taught in an anti-intellectual culture. It has never been more expensive to study in public American Universities. Our society and economy are in rapid change. We are at a time in history that enables the countless expressions of free speech people can leverage online. Expression is the most dynamic motion of being.
In 2016, the average American spent ten hours a day online. (Howard, 2016) Social media has changed our culture in immeasurable ways. There is no doubt that people log on to these networks searching for something far greater than themselves. But often, their network doesn’t provide that. The average American watches 28 hours of television each week (Holiday, 2018). It is easy in our culture to be on two stimulating screens with smartphone use and passive audio-visual content is consumed at the same time. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that the average American spends only 19 minutes per day reading. (Stephen, 2014) The apps, games, and social media that possess the time and attention of youth are by nature driven by narratives that often are devoid of meaning. There needs to be more intellectual growth on these platforms.
In 2017, the K-12 student population has a minority-majority: 50.7M students: 24.4M white, 8M black, 13.6M Latino/a, 2.8M Asian, and .5M American Indian. (NCES, 2018) As of 2013, 72% of African-American students don’t have fathers in their life. (Politifact, 2013) Smithsonian Magazine reported in 2018, we live in the most affluent capitalist society in world history and there has never been more income inequality than 11,000 years of recorded history than in right now. (Shaer, 2018) 43% of children live in low-income families in the United States in 2018. (Addy, Engelhardt, & Skinner, 2018)
Education was not written in the constitution. It is evident by the Trump administration’s lack of care and interest in public education proves that it is not a priority. People spend more money on fantasy football, $70B in 2013, (Goff, 2013), than our government endorses our failing education budget, $68B in 2016. (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2018)
The United States spends more than ten times the amount of capital on war compared to educating students. The total U.S, spending on defense is $989 billion. (Amadeo, 2019) President Trump’s 2019 education budget provides $63.2 billion in discretionary funding, a $3.6 billion or 5% decrease below the 2017 enacted level. (U.S. Department of Education, 2019) These compared budgets forecast the future of our society in a different shadow. In our political discourse, education is left off or at the bottom of ‘the issues.’ Politicians do not value progressive education as the foundation of our society’s 21st-century goals and the future of our democracy.
Darwin argued that “The greater strength of the social or maternal instincts than that of any other instinct or motive.” He continued, “Communities which included the greatest number of the most sympathetic members would flourish best and produce the most offspring. Compassion is an evolved trait that we wouldn’t have been able to prosper as a species without. A life of meaning and purpose is one focused less on satisfying oneself and more on others. It’s a rich life in compassion, altruism, and greater meaning” (Seppala, 2014).
In November 2020, the demographics of Generation Z will double from 5% to 10% of the total United States’ electorate. (Pew Research Center, 2019) Civics classes are no longer mandatory in many states. Standardized tests aren’t the only way to project future success. Students’ potential will now be measured in a new dynamic way.
I have been a teacher for the past five years. I have seen the tangible impact that iPhones, iPads, and computers have had on Generation Z. Students are constantly creating micro-stories on their phones in texts, apps, videos, and calls. Still, these story schemas of youth are most often impermanent. Those stories are certainly not worth putting on a CV. But students are always looking for the next decisive moment -- the moment of transformation. I seek to create a contest where students’ videos are the highlight of their CVs and speak to the issues of our time.
Target market participants for entire US student population:
36,000 high schools (public and private) serving 15,100,000 students
629 public 4-year colleges and universities serving 6,837,605 students
1,945 private 4-year colleges and universities serving 4,161,815 students
1,070 public 2-year institutions serving 6,184,229 students
596 private 2-year institutions serving 303,826 students
Total: 32,587,475 students
As of 2019, 44.7 million college student borrowers have student loan debt with an average payment of $393 for those not in deferment. The student debt bubble is $1.56 trillion worth $521 billion more than US credit card debt. 65% of graduates from public and nonprofit colleges in 2017 had student loan debt at an average of $28,650. (Student Loan Hero, 2019)
We must ask: not how, but when will the next generation transcend our culture? Chase Aesthetics! may be the first tool for students’ leadership. In theory, a public school is supposed to be the great equalizer in our society where students from all walks of life can reach and achieve a better future. That is not the case; all students were not created and raised equally. A good education is invaluable in every adult.
“I'm not saying I'm going to rule the world or I'm going to change the world, but I guarantee you that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”
-2Pac