What Millennials Can Learn From a 2,000 Yr. Old Philosophical Allegory

In a world where technological advances continue to revolutionize communication and the way business is conducted on a macro-economical scale, the generation that has embraced this change and continues to influence the artificial intelligence outlook of the future is the same generation that is being labeled as narcissistic, unfocused, lazy, and entitled by a maladaptive American generation that maybe just hasn’t caught up yet. So what exactly are we doing wrong?

Born into a culture consumed by the 3rd Industrial Revolution and its effects of instant gratification, a conflict of interest is that the Millennials’ ‘saying’ has ultimately replaced the ACT of ‘doing’, and patience is no longer feasible. Participation trophies have diminished the spirit of competition, and promoted and encourage an average effort in any undertaking in childhood development. It isn’t until our first job that corporate America gives us a rude awakening when job fulfillment and growth doesn’t come within the first year of employment. Even worse, education is progressively substituting historical texts for the PowerPoint ‘Rule of 6’ where students are simply asked to regurgitate the information on exams to receive a passing grade. Furthermore, the significance of humanitarian studies in the collegiate education system, such as philosophical works of Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates, have lost its merit since the option of substituting these classes, through elective classes, was easily accessible through the consent of a student’s academic advisor. Classes on material such as the zombie apocalypse or glass blowing has now grasped the attention of more students compared to that of a class that investigates the meaning of life and the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence (my college actually offers the zombie apocalypse class). Is it possible that exposure to this type of ethical class experience could prevent students from jumping from major to major; spending thousands of dollars just to earn a degree, and produce more self-aware and well-rounded individuals who are about to enter the work force? If I can adequately recall history, conversational debate and interpersonal interaction to form ideas has been the method of teaching since the dawn of mankind - a proven system where PowerPoint simply cannot compete. I want to expose the gravity and value that these philosophical works of highly intellectual people have had on my life personally and what they could possibly do to influence a change in yours. In a society where the hustle and bustle of social platforms can have a negative impact on social skills and a numbing effect on our emotions, sometimes a break from reality comes in the form of paper and text instead of a ‘Like’ button.

For those who have or have not read Plato: The Republic, it is a historical text written around 380 B.C. In the book, Socrates, a keen Greek philosopher and student of Plato, uses his unique dialogue and method of reasoning to illustrate human perception and the effect of using senses to gain knowledge with one of the most profound metaphors of Western philosophy: The Allegory of the Cave. To briefly describe the scene, a group of prisoners are chained within the pitch-black cavity of the cave, unable to look side-to-side or behind them, but only straight ahead at the wall in front of them. Behind the prisoners are a roadway and a luminous fire atop the wall of this roadway.

‘Puppet showmen’, as described in the book, use this roadway to carry various statues or animate objects, casting their shadows by the fire upon the wall that the prisoners face to create stories. Since these shadows are the only images that the prisoners gaze at, they are believed to be the most real things in their isolated world. Diffused sunlight is scarcely shining from the only ascent out of the cave, where prisoners of curiosity can break free from their bonds and acquire their own knowledge and truth and seek to discover life purpose.

Now, more importantly, these prisoners represent the lowest stage of human intellect: imagination.Unable to look at anything but the wall, the chains that bond these prisoners represents their desires, temptations, and their unhealthy habits that unconsciously control their lives. These are the people that exhibit addictive behaviors to smoking, drinking, video games, unhealthy eating, and various other poisoning habits. A prisoner’s only escape is by breaking free from these bonds and forcing oneself to look upon the fire that so greatly contorted the image of reality. Through the acts of moderation and self-control and the desire to know what is real, prisoners have the opportunity to ascend up out of the cave and expose themselves to the light of truth. This is the beautiful transformation of an ignorant soul into an intellectual one that desires to learn and that seeks purpose.

I believe that this +2000 year old book holds an immense amount of value within its pages for Millennials who are looking to find their purpose in life, initiate the fulfilling pursuit to accomplishthis purpose, and dispose of the critical stereotype that has labeled our generation as lazy and entitled. Do you feel that you are at a stand still in life? Do you possess poisoning habits that confine you from achieving success? Maybe you crave meaning and success in your life, but don’t even know where to begin your journey. I encourage you to become a more self-aware individual. Begin by asking yourself questions like: “What do you value? What are your dreams or motives? Does your character correspond to your values?” Making an investment in oneself is the most successful and fulfilling investment any human being can make. Take this advice from one of America’s Founding Fathers.

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest” –Benjamin Franklin

By having a sense of self-esteem and confidence -- notice I didn’t say entitlement -- you can aim your sights at career, health, relationship, exercise and other successful goals to achieve anything you set your mind to. Immerse yourself in a self-education mindset and seek mentors who will guide you in your pursuit and enable you to learn from their experiences. Read books by these and other prestigious thinkers who have acquired the asset of self-awareness and have achieved success in their fields. Surround yourself with people who are positive, share the same goals as you, and who will support you throughout your journey. By exercising the long-term investment of the compound effect, huge rewards can be reaped through a consistent series of small, smart choices. Are you doing the things necessary today that are propelling you forward to get where you want to be in the future? Be honest with yourself and find the reasons why you are being held back. Change certainly does not happen over night, but small, incremental steps can lead to giant leaps. Whether its reading 10 pages from a good book or news article everyday, walking for a total of 5 hours a week, or telling someone close to you how much appreciate or love them, change doesn’t begin unless you do. Think about it. If you invested that one hour a day of looking at social media or watching television and substituted it with reading 10 pages of a good book, you would have read close to 25, 150-page or 18, 200-page books by the end of the year. By making that choice, you grant yourself the knowledge of 18 or 25 different books by simply committing a fraction of your day to a small habit!

Remember this: thoughts lead to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions create habits; habits mold our character and character creates our destiny. You will remain imprisoned in your cave of ignorance by the desires or temptations that bound you until you CHOOSE to seek the light of truth and move ahead in life.

I’m proud to be born in this generation because the superficial label of being a Millennial is a chance to prove Baby Boomers and Generation X of our worth by revolutionizing our society through our idealistic and entrepreneurial persona. America has never seen a more opportunistic era for people to succeed than the 21st century. Everyone has the chance to move ahead and achieve success, but only through day in and day out hard work. If the creation of the Internet and some ofthe biggest social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, and SnapChat - by college students doesn’t scream ‘opportunity’ then reconsider your definition of hustle. Let us not forget the value of a strong work ethic and not waver in the criticism that does not dictate our futures. Let us embrace our characteristics of entrepreneurial spirit, idealism, diversity, technological savvy, and liberalism and dispel the mainstream perspective of laziness, entitlement, and narcissism.

Commit yourself to the habits of successful people; break free from the chains of your fatal desires; ascend up to the light of truth and uncover your purpose in life, and maybe you can stand amongst America’s elite industrial pioneers such as Benjamin Franklin, Henry Ford, Bill Gates, and Andrew Carnegie.