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The First Generation - Deagan
10 years later
Washington D.C. 2062
Thump thump thump thump thump thump.
The rhythmic beat of his feet on the treadmill can be heard though Deagan’s headset. He ticks past the six-mile marker, two to go.
For the past few years Deagan’s morning routine includes an 8-mile run followed by a red-light therapy steam shower. Discipline and routine are what set Deagan apart from the masses.
His workday has already begun. During each run Deagan listens to updates from his feed research. On screen now, the headline reads “Lonely generation birthrate declines below 1 for the first time in US history”. Gen Alpha has become referred to as the “lonely generation.” They were the first teenagers to grow up with virtual assistant and other AI tools. The impacts of technology on adolescences has shown negative impacts for social and cognitive development. Studies have shown that Gen Alpha has measurable differences in emotional categories such as Empathy and Confidence as well a measurable difference in functional categories such as memory and critical-thinking.
Degan continues skimming the article’s summary.
These factors are directly connected to the significant increase in diagnosis of depression and death by suicide. Death by suicide has passed car accidents as the 3rd leading cause of death in the US behind Heart Disease and Cancer. Additionally, the US unemployment level for Gen Alpha is on pace to double the rate of Gen Z and triple the rate of millennials.”
Automation has expanded into so many categories. The idea of a “working class” no longer exists. The need for unskilled labor force is a thing of the past. The knock-on effect is that young people entering the workforce are finding it difficult to secure a job and those who do, are unlikely to leave voluntarily. Employers hold all the cards and the separation between the haves and have-nots is growing.
In the mid to late 1900’s success was considered holding a job, living in the suburbs and starting a family. This commonly held vision of success changed around the turn of the millennium. Young people flocked to cities, living in apartments and delaying family life to spend time with friends. The most recent shift, however, is not from city to suburb or suburb to city. Instead, many young people are choosing to spend their lives in their room. The rise of escapism know was hikikomori has shifted much of daily life online. Many young people have no interest in leaving their room in their parent’s home. They are forgoing opportunities to move and start out on their own in favor of the safety and security of their room. This life choice no longer carries a social stigma. Social success is no longer measured by wealth and friendship, instead social success is measured in likes and followers.
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Nothing in this news break was a surprise to Deagan. This is a topic he has been following for most of his career as a miliary officer. In his time with the US military, the national defense budget has been reduced by over 50%. There have been significant cuts in spending for defense contractors and a strategic drawdown of active troops. In the previous generations, the US government was haven for low ambition low performing career seekers. Government efficiency initiatives and privatization shifts dropped the cost of Government and left many unemployed.
Deagan’s branch however, is planning to expand for the first time in years. The most recent senate hearing has determined Low-Atmosphere Infrastructure to be critical to US National Defense.
The military has been impacted by the “Lonely generation” as well. The article on hikikomori escapism connected to Deagan’s feed because of his connection to military recruitment.
Deagan came from a military family, moving from base to base as a kid. It was difficult leaving behind friends after two years here or two years there, but it made Deagan resilient. Learning how to make friends was almost as important as learning how to avoid bullies. Being the new kid in school is a double-edged sword. Some people went out of their way to welcome you and others looked at you as vulnerable. Deagan learned quickly how to identify the two. Making new friends became a strength he would lean on throughout his life.
His parents kept high expectations for him Deagan worked hard on his education. When Deagan finished school, he had a job waiting for him and hasn’t looked back. He has moved through the ranks with discipline and routine. Discipline and routine.
7- miles down
A call pops up on his monitor.
“Good morning Major.”
“Good morning Gennie”
“Prior month progress reports are complete and in your inbox. Would you like to go over the results?”
“Yes, begin” he says slightly breathily from the run.
“The vacancy debt has grown from 18% to 22% in the latest estimate. Annual projections updated to 1100 vacant roles. New starters for the last month were 32. Balance to target 48.”
Gennie continues…but Deagan’s mind begins to drift.
Deagen reports to the Lt. Colonel Marsh of the USSF central command. Marsh is a few years younger than Deagan, thin framed and shorter than most in the service. Deagan has only been under his command for a short period of time. Marsh has received regular promotions of someone who has been “tapped” for higher rank. Since the US disbanded the Army and Marines in 2050’s the US Space Force has been the largest branch of the military. And as of the last Senate hearing, Lt. Colonel Marsh has been tasked to nearly double its rank and file.
Deagan primary directive has been updated to head the progress of staffing up the US Space Force’s Low-Atmosphere-Infrastructure Department. The relative safety of pay and stability that the military has to offer should make this a straightforward task given the current labor environment, but Deagan is starting to understand the social dynamics that are currently working against him.
Gennie can tell that Deagan is anxious about reporting the slower than expected progress to Marsh, but she continues.
“General Greenly has included Lt. Colonel Marsh on a new project task forced named “Project Generation”. There will be a briefing tomorrow”
Gennie, Deagan’s virtual assistant, continues listing his agenda for the day.
A light flicks on behind him. He almost forgot that he wasn’t alone in the apartment.
Lyra walks in, beautiful as ever
"Morning sweetheart, did I wake you?"