BeInkandescent just re-ran a piece I did a few years ago on the Future of Youth Happiness that summarized a consulting study we did for MTV that is available on their ThinkMTV page. While the study was not explicitly on values, it did uncover a mix of traditional, modern, postmodern, and integral values. Perhaps the strongest theme to emerge was a seemingly strong orientation to Integral values. We saw, underneath the typical youthful dreams of being rich and famous, a strong practical orientation and a desire to “make a difference.” In discussions we had with youth across the country (admittedly a small, but “representative” sample), we found that perceived indifference on their part to the “big issues” of the day reflected their sense that it was preferable to devote time and energy to issues where they could make a tangible difference rather than feel good about protesting in a case where the prospects for enacting change were minimal. That point has stuck with me as a key feature of Integral values. Andy Hines
About Andy HinesAndy Hines
Lecturer/Executive-in-Residence, University of Houston Futures Studies
Andy Hines is Lecturer and Executive-in-Residence at the University of Houston’s Graduate Program in Futures Studies, bringing together the experience he earned as an organizational, consulting, and academic futurist. He co-founded and is currently on the Board of the Association of Professional Futurists, and has co-authored three books -- Thinking About the Future: Guidelines for Strategic Foresight (Social Technologies, 2007),” 2025: Science and Technology Reshapes US and Global Society (Oak Hill, 1997) and Managing Your Future as an Association (ASAE, 1994). He has also authored dozens of articles, speeches, and workshops, including the 2003 Emerald Literati Awards' Outstanding Paper accolade for best article published in Foresight for “An Audit for Organizational Futurists” and the 2008 award for “Scenarios: The State of the Art.” In the last year, he has appeared on several radio and television programs, including KRIV-26 News talking about the future of libraries and the CBS “Early Show,” to talk about an MTV-commissioned study: “The Future of the Youth Happiness.”
