I just realized something quite interesting about the current 00 generation. Everyone says this generation is wise, transparent, and knows how to resist social traps. But if you think more carefully, are they really smarter or are they just living in a completely different environment?

What I see is that the 00 generation is facing a relatively stable society, which can be said to be relatively stagnant. Therefore, the decisions they make when young seem very reasonable — not trying to buy a house in big cities because they know it's not feasible, not rushing into marriage because they see the risks clearly, gradually accepting that being laid back is normal. These beliefs seem correct, but in fact, they only reflect the stable reality that this generation is living in.

Looking back at the 80s generation, they experienced something entirely different. Childhood was in an agricultural society, then shifted to industrial, and later to information. Each phase forced them to completely revise their outlook on life. What their parents taught no longer applied, what they learned as children became disadvantages when entering the real world. That’s why they often appear confused, easily change their views, and lack a stable perspective. But that is also the reason they have a high capacity for adaptation.

The 00 generation, however, is different. Since they can remember, house prices have been high, jobs have been stressful, wages have stagnated, and birth rates have been low. These social issues are unlikely to change much in the next twenty years. This means that the concepts they form in their youth will stay with them throughout their lives. Not because they are smarter, but because the world around them doesn’t change.

Another side of the seemingly alert 00 generation is that it is also a source of sadness. Chaos means change, and change also means opportunity. But when everything is stable, opportunities become more limited. I see behind the words about being laid back and calm is a conservatism in thinking, a loss of sensitivity and a desire to explore. That’s not insight, just a way for the mind to accept helplessness.