A New Connected Generation

I am on Lake Powell in the southwest United States, drifting along the borders of Utah and Arizona, thinking about America's next 50 years.

I am spending the week on a 54-foot houseboat with 13 boys between the ages of 15 and 20. Lest you doubt my sanity, know that I learned long ago that my teenage sons move as a clan, comfortable and happy only when they're surrounded by friends. I am having a wonderful time tuning in to life as seen by strong, creative, young American men.

The future depends on our young men and young women. The America I am trying to imagine is really theirs to create. On the boat I ask a few of them what they imagine for the future.

This is what I hear them say: They want less hate. They fear for the planet. They want robots to do dull work. They want schools to stop being so awful. They expect pure (electronic) democracy. They want to stop violence. They want to stop being desensitized by the media to violence, suffering, warfare. They want to be loving, supportive parents. They want to stop taking America for granted.