I had the opportunity to speak and interact with younger University age people over the past few days (18-24 range) and I can only say that I am shocked by how it’s almost universal that they’re either irony poisoned fascists, genuine racists, or reactionaries of another sort. Pretty much politically as right wing as it gets.
I worry that the younger people in Gen Z may be potentially the most susceptible to fascist belief in a very long time, due to the combination of terribly bleak prospects and disillusionment, ease of access and exposure to all manner of online extremist pipelines (video game culture, red-pilling), and the overall deterioration of social skills from growing up hooked up to tech.
If we have any comrades around this age group, or with a lot of experience with them, do you find it to be similar where you are? Or am I just unfortunate to have a particularly sour batch where I happen to be?
I wouldn’t get caught up in generational generalizations too much. Things like bleak prospects and disillusionment can lead to fascism, yes, especially in the imperial core, but it can also lead to class consciousness and being a revolutionary. It is part of our task to impact which way it goes and not take it for granted that the conditions will necessarily produce one or the other; and to remember that people are not static and can often still be moved.