Viewpoint
Millennial Evolution:
A Journey Into a
World Never Expected
by Jo Ann Hillery
It’s no secret that we are in a time of great change as we look toward a quite uncertain future. Always will there be those foreseeing and predicting events to come, but the transition we are currently experiencing is coupled with forces much greater than mere human doing. We are living a stretch in time indicative of immense change that ancient civilizations documented thousands of years ago. Some are preaching a dimensional shift while others proclaim the end of the world as we know it. The wonder of the human experience is that we fail to accept our untimely demise or unappealing future. In our naïve beauty, we see grace and hope for what we expect to be better times. Today’s hero is not a guru hidden far away on a mountain-top; it is not a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, nor is it an unnamed champion emerging as you read this. The answer to these purported troubling times lies not with one person, but a whole generation. We call that generation The Millennials.
The Millennial Generation has been loosely defined as those born between 1982 and 2000. I have been studying them for the last few years. What began as research for a consulting project quickly turned into an insatiable passion. Reading story after story about the lazy and self-absorbed children of this generation left me infuriated. This was not what I was discovering at all, nor was it the experience of child specialists or experts in the fields of education, psychology and science, among others. The more I delved into the topic, the more I found phenomenal information that brought me to a whole new level of optimism toward our collective future. This is a generation exemplifying human potential by challenging and expounding beyond our definitions of the typical genius.
The Millennials have been referred to by many names, including Echo Boomers, Generation Y, Gen Why, the Internet Generation, and the Indigos. Much of my initial research focused on information surrounding the Indigo Children. Nancy Tappe, who coined the term, along with Lee Carroll and Jan Tober were forerunners in getting the word out about these new kids appearing in great numbers all over our planet. At an early age, Tappe was diagnosed with synesthesia, a condition in which she perceives color through all five of her senses and in which two of her senses are completely blended. She has seen the “colors” of people all her life and noticed a new indigo color just starting to emerge in the late 60s, but most noticeably in the early 80s, thus coining the now very familiar term. Carroll and Tober wrote extensively about them in their book, entitled, The Indigo Children. The Indigos seemed to have come into the world with their own set of instructions that, in no uncertain way, resembles the rules by which we expect all to abide. Their inherent abilities and core essence knowledge is appearing in unprecedented numbers and are beyond much of our understanding. They are now teaching those of us who have been around for a while rocking the status quo that so many are so assiduously demanding we hold onto.
It was through this research I was quite naturally led into producing a film highlighting the many perspectives around The Millennials and the societal changes already becoming exceedingly visible. The first of The Millennials are about 26 years of age now and are not submitting quietly to the boxed world created prior to their existence. They are system-busters that, given the chance, will surprise even the most obstinate. Through the eyes of The Millennials, we have interviewed highly respected and prominent figures quite familiar with this generation and some with expertise across the generations. My personal journey through countless Millennial stories has been one never anticipated. From young savants, to children with fantastic psychic abilities, to those who are reading and speaking well beyond their years, this generation continues to surprise me.
Probably one of the most fascinating realizations about this generation, for me, has been the ability for scientists to study aspects of the brain we were formerly incapable of testing which shows results for Millennials that are unlike previous generations. There are tests which explain the process by which these children (and now adults) assimilate information which is dissimilar to any previous generation. (I know there are parents out there nodding their heads in agreement right now.) Questions are then raised as to whether or not we are seeing socially induced traits or actual advances in human evolution. Are our brains evolving in ways we cannot yet comprehend? Scientists undeniably agree that the presence of energy at quantum levels is acting in completely unpredictable ways which defy laws of science we once thought unyielding.
One thing we know for certain is that this generation is an incredible force, changing the world both in structure and thought. They are the most adaptable, creative, collaborative, globally aware, and confident young adults and children we have ever seen. We saw and heard from them at a very early age and we should not expect them to settle back and accept a way of life so diametrically opposite to their passions and desires. For those who have made it their life’s mission to make these square pegs fit into the old round holes, it is not about absolute change, but simply a compromise and an understanding that we all have our roles and our gifts to share no matter what age we may be. There is room for everyone. The Millennials have surpassed the baby boomers in numbers, so fear not what to do with them. If anything, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Jo Ann Hillery is the Producer of the documentary, Millennial Evolution, expected for release by the end of 2008. For more information about the film or to contact Jo Ann Hillery about speaking engagements, please go to www.millennialevolution.com or email info@millennialevolution.com.