You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Connected Learning Alliance Logo
  • About Connected Learning
  • Who we are
  • Resources
  • Publications
  • Blog
  • Get Connected
November 23, 2015 | Comment

How to Answer John Gardner’s Challenge

Author

Howard Gardner
Categories: Civic Engagement, Digital Citizenship
John W. Gardner quote about young people in america

John W. Gardner (1912-2001, no relation) was the most impressive public citizen of my time. Trained as a psychologist, president of the Carnegie Foundation at an early age, and a dedicated public servant who served as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in the cabinet of President Lyndon Johnson, Gardner achieved his most important influence in the latter part of his life, as a private citizen. He launched and helped guide important initiatives like Common Cause, the Independent Sector, the White House Fellowship, and Encore; of equal importance, he served as a role model and mentor to many leaders in the social sector, including William Damon, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and me, with reference to our Good Work Project.

Toward the end of his life, John Gardner issued a challenge which has haunted me ever since. He said (in so many words), “Howard, there have never been so many young people in America doing good things. But, it does not add up. And, that’s because while they are helping hundreds or perhaps even thousands of people, we are passing legislation which affects millions in a negative way, and fail to enact legislation which facilitates the causes and the ends to which the young people are dedicating their energies.”

Keeping that message in mind, I’ve often commented that things will change when leaders like Wendy Kopp of Teach for America, or Dave Levin and Mike Feinberg of KIPP, begin to serve in Congress.

As a result of research conducted by my colleagues and me, and my membership in a research group on “Youth and Participatory Politics,” I now have a different view of John Gardner’s challenge — both in terms of young people and of politics.

It is often said that young people today are disengaged from political life. And, in a literal sense, that is true. A small minority of American youth are well-informed about national and international affairs, vote regularly and go to meetings or join political organizations. But, if one takes a more expansive view of politics, one that takes into account the deployment of digital media, we encounter a quite different picture. Nearly all youth express their opinions to friends; most young people circulate stories that they find of interest. Many of them support causes in which they believe, signing petitions or contributing financially. When there is a cause of strong interest, such as the legislative move to undermine net neutrality or censor certain sites, they assemble in the millions and even help bring about the defeat or withdrawal of that legislation. Perhaps most intriguingly, young people who pursue strong interests online (e.g., belonging to the Harry Potter fan communities) are most likely eventually to participate in political discussions and action, offline as well as online.

My view has also changed because of the evolving landscape of politics in America. Whatever the differences that existed, the America of John Gardner (and, for that matter, of the younger Howard Gardner) had leaders who were widely respected; political parties that had some coherence and enduring philosophies; and legislators who, despite their differences, made common cause both domestically, and especially, on international affairs, to yield a functioning government. Today, it is hardly a surprise that young people are disaffected from government and even the word “politics,” because they have never seen a political class or a political process that they can admire.

I’m convinced that we will never reconstitute the governmental terrain of the middle of the 20th century. For good and bad, both individuals and groups exert loud and insistent voices that cannot be silenced; and the ideal of authoritative print and broadcast media is gone forever. The governments of the 21st century must perforce take into account both the ubiquity of digital media and the wide range of opinions and actions that they enable.

It is all too easy to envision both utopian and dystopian outcomes. On one utopian script, policies and leaders who reflect the better instincts of the public will emerge, enabling outcomes that most people desire while protecting minority voice and instincts. This was the dream of the founders of the Internet and of the World Wide Web. On one dystopian script, there will be perpetual cacophony; on another dystopian script, the loudest voices — individual, corporate, or political action committees funded by the well-heeled — will wrest control of discourse and enable actions that serve those who already have the power.

It is far too early to say which of these outcomes will prevail. But, it is not too early to sketch them out and to begin to work toward the achievement of benign alternatives.

Banner image credit: Stanford University

Related Posts

November 19, 2018 Do We Still Believe Networked Youth Can Change the World?: A Special Issue

Teen girls on smartphones

September 24, 2018 Value the Creative and Social-Emotional Upsides of Social Media Suggests New Survey from Common Sense Media

Kids looking at ipads in classroom

August 13, 2018 How Important Is Digital Literacy?

Categories

  • Civic Engagement
  • Connected Learning
  • Critical Perspectives
  • Digital Citizenship
  • Digital Learning
  • Edtech
  • Educational Practice
  • Equity
  • Featured
  • New Trends
  • Research

Blog Archive

  • 2019
    • January 2019
    • February 2019
  • 2018
    • January 2018
    • February 2018
    • March 2018
    • April 2018
    • May 2018
    • June 2018
    • July 2018
    • August 2018
    • September 2018
    • October 2018
    • November 2018
    • December 2018
  • 2017
    • January 2017
    • February 2017
    • March 2017
    • April 2017
    • May 2017
    • June 2017
    • July 2017
    • August 2017
    • September 2017
    • October 2017
    • November 2017
    • December 2017
  • 2016
    • January 2016
    • February 2016
    • March 2016
    • April 2016
    • May 2016
    • June 2016
    • July 2016
    • August 2016
    • September 2016
    • October 2016
    • November 2016
    • December 2016
  • 2015
    • January 2015
    • February 2015
    • March 2015
    • April 2015
    • May 2015
    • June 2015
    • July 2015
    • August 2015
    • September 2015
    • October 2015
    • November 2015
    • December 2015
  • 2014
    • January 2014
    • February 2014
    • March 2014
    • April 2014
    • May 2014
    • June 2014
    • July 2014
    • August 2014
    • September 2014
    • October 2014
    • November 2014
    • December 2014
  • 2013
    • January 2013
    • February 2013
    • March 2013
    • April 2013
    • May 2013
    • June 2013
    • July 2013
    • August 2013
    • September 2013
    • October 2013
    • November 2013
    • December 2013
  • 2012
    • January 2012
    • February 2012
    • March 2012
    • April 2012
    • May 2012
    • June 2012
    • July 2012
    • August 2012
    • September 2012
    • October 2012
    • November 2012
    • December 2012
  • 2011
    • January 2011
    • February 2011
    • March 2011
    • April 2011
    • May 2011
    • June 2011
    • July 2011
    • August 2011
    • September 2011
    • October 2011
    • November 2011
    • December 2011
  • 2010
    • January 2010
    • February 2010
    • March 2010
    • April 2010
    • May 2010
    • June 2010
    • July 2010
    • August 2010
    • September 2010
    • October 2010
    • November 2010
    • December 2010
  • 2009
    • October 2009
    • November 2009
    • December 2009

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with our latest news and information.

  • Connected Learning in Teaching Practice
  • Connected Learning in Libraries
  • Connected Educators
  • Connected Courses
  • Connected Civics

  • Contact
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Us
  • Media
  • Write for Us
  • People
  • Newsletter