Generation Next...

This has been an interesting beginning to 2011, where recent events have been slowly unfolding and the unthinkable happening. The Arab strongmen are slowly being forced out by their populace, in some places it has been violent (Libya, Yemen, Bahrain) and in some places more civil (Egypt and Tunisia).

As erstwhile strongmen in the developing countries quake in their boots at the power of the 21 century tools at the disposal of the populace, it is interesting to see what the outcome would be of the next two years as the vast world becomes condensed into a small playground where everyone becomes increasingly connected and integrated. The Saudi King to pre-empt any revolt, has showered the populace with goodies and threats at the same time (smooth!)...In a package worth $37bn, looks like he is buying the loyalty of his citizenry with the lavish benefits...$260 a month stipend if you are unemployed!...no wonder the unemployment levels are that high.
Anyway taking a closer look at all these turns of events, the driving force has been the youth. They communicate using twitter, facebook and other social networking platforms, and mobilize in numbers with a resolve to see their efforts at having meaningful leadership bear fruits and their rights to a decent way of life realised with the resources, however small they have.

 If you look at it critically, wasn't it the same youth who liberated Kenya during those colonial days and formed the first government. They were in their twenties, early thirties, etc, and have refused to hand over the baton ever since. What makes them think that the current generation of thirty, twenty something year olds can't hack it like they did. It is just being plain selfish of our leaders.
Like I was told when I was in Primary skool.."you are the leaders of tomorrow"....and then they added ..."tomorrow never comes"...Old age shall surely catch up with all ye old geezers, if not, technology shall make you as redundant as the post office, film cameras and the walkman.