individuality

The young men who are twenty five to thirty five have come of age during a very dynamic and rapidly changing time. Dynamic in the sense that they are part of the information age and have at their finger tips more sources of sensory input then any group in history. Computers, ipods, cell phones, video games and TV bring in multiple sources of entertainment and distraction. Rapidly changing because those who provide these sources are constantly searching for new and different ways to cash in on the tremendous market which these young men represent. But it seems to me that all of these sources of information and entertainment have been successful at creating a culture of players not doers. One of the things that I learned as I was growing up was that a man should seek his own course and strive to achieve a level of success based on his level of ambition. I have noticed a distinct lack of ambitious young men. I grew up believing that a man should be an individual and often heard the phrase "rugged individualist" associated with the American male. My concern is that our society and specifically those doing the marketing, have decided that creating a nation of clones is more profitable than a nation of individuals. Moreover, the political elements find it easier to control us if we act and think in predictable ways.
My father and his generation, often referred to as the greatest generation, believed in the concept of individuality and yet often sacrificed everything to protect their families and their country. These men weren't perfect but we have much to learn from them.