The perennials The megatrends creating a postgenerational society

Boomers and zoomers may be more alike than not, suggests this quixotic study from Wharton emeritus economist Guillén (The Platform Paradox). According to Guillén, people are used to thinking about life as a sequence from one stage of economic activity to another, but now that "the average American born in 2022 is expected to live 32 years longer than in 1900," people retire later. With this longer work life comes unexpected physical and mental benefits, which, in tandem with medical advancements, have extended our "health span" by 10--15 years. Moreover, Guillén believes that, with the help of new technology, "lifelong learning and career switching" is now possible. He argues that readers should think of themselves as "perennials," grouped only by one's economic needs and activity. With greater harmony between young and old workers, common intergenerational disputes around "government deficits, access to affordable housing, underfunding of education, and footing the cost of 'old age' programs" will be resolved as a matter of course. Guillén makes some thought-provoking points, but his argument comes off as a Band-Aid approach (older people are nearing retirement without savings or pensions, so he wants policies that help them find jobs, instead of ones that allow them to retire) or, in some cases, downright bizarre (who really wants to "liberate themselves from the tyranny of 'age-appropriate' activities"?). It's an odd account. (Aug.)

An acclaimed thought leader proposes a new way of looking at shifting demographic patterns. Guillén is a professor of management at the Wharton School, and his book 2030: How Today's Biggest Trends Will Collide and Reshape the Future of Everything demonstrated his ability to tackle big-picture issues. Here, the author expands on themes he has touched on previously, looking at the interaction of increased longevity and accelerating technological trends. He argues that the idea of a linear life of compartmentalized stages is no longer appropriate and that concepts like retirement are now doing more harm than good. He proposes an alternative: a postgenerational workforce of "perennials," where older people are encouraged to work well into their 70s alongside their younger colleagues. The author rejects the idea that older people are too set in their ways to adapt, and he points to evidence showing that, when given the opportunity, they can use their experience and maturity to add value to any business wise enough to hold on to them. At the same time, older people who remain in the workforce offer huge marketing opportunities for companies looking to expand their product lines in everything from cosmetics to cars. Educational institutions should also be willing to embrace older students, since there is necessity for continual reskilling to accommodate new technologies and trends. The author acknowledges that all this will require a new mindset. Younger people must be willing to accept older people in the workplace even while they themselves grapple with the idea of lifelong learning. Equally, older people need to accept that change, both technological and social, will be a constant in their lives. This is not easy, but the upside is that many more people have the opportunity to lead lives that are personally rewarding and socially fulfilling. In a wide-ranging study, Guillén provides a wealth of insights about how we can get the best from social change. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.