Old against young without alternatives?
Künzelsau, 08.12.2020 - Irresponsible party makers or medal-winning 'lazy raccoons'? Media and politics have made the youth the scapegoat of the Corona crisis. But now this unpleasant image is getting cracks. First studies prove the great loyalty and consideration of the young generation - and the heavy burden that the crisis and the contact bans are placing on them. The researchers of the Gradido Academy criticise the superficial way in which the current situation of young people is handled as "unfair and irresponsible". In addition, Bernd Hückstädt, co-founder of the Research Institute for Economic Bionics, warns of disastrous social consequences: "Very rarely, the solidarity of the generations has been more important, and very rarely, the gulf between old and young has been deeper. If we do not succeed now in paving the way for a responsible coexistence, there will only be losers on both sides - but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Scapegoat? On the contrary!
When the number of infections began to rise again in summer, young people became the focus of general criticism. They were accused of being alleged 'superspreaders'. The media portrayed them as irresponsible 'party makers', and the Chancellor herself asked the youth to stop partying. Under the 'Hashtag #BesondereHelden' (special heroes) the German government recently even published three videos, which were explicitly produced to sensitize young people to the restrictions on contact. Now, however, current youth studies show that young people in Germany have wrongly been made the scapegoat of the crisis.
Youth shows loyalty and sense of responsibility
All the studies agree that the majority of young people in this country show solidarity and a sense of responsibility. Studies by the University of Hildesheim, the latest youth study by the TUI Foundation and also the recently published special evaluation 'Youth and Corona' of the renowned study 'Young Germans 2021' show the great willingness of 16 to 26-year-olds to observe the restrictions of their social life for the benefit of the community. The flexibility and adaptability of young people in this challenging situation is even expressly praised by the youth researchers.
The Gradido Academy researches future models suitable for grandchildren
"It is a scandal that young people are pilloried across the board for their joy of celebration and their longing for exchange and closeness. The threat to their entire present and future world is apparently being completely ignored in politics and the media," Hückstädt explains. Together with owner Margret Baier, he founded the Gradido Academy for Economic Bionics more than 20 years ago. Since then, research has been conducted there into which successful models of nature can be transferred to real economic and financial models. The focus of the decades of research is the endeavour to give children and grandchildren a future worth living. Now the bionic economists see a concrete need for action.
Young people lose their familiar world
Since the beginning of the contact restrictions in spring, the sociologist Prof. Michael Corsten at the University of Hildesheim has been investigating how the corona crisis affects the life path of young adults. The study 'Generation Corona' impressively proves that missing parties are by no means the biggest problem in the crisis-stricken everyday life of young people. However, what is really distressing is the fact that in the midst of that phase of life in which they have to set the course for their professional and private lives, almost all the familiar ground is pulled from under their feet. Entire industries are threatening to fall victim to the economic crisis. Supposedly promising training pathways are drying up in nothing. Nobody knows which companies and businesses will survive, when it will be possible to study and learn again, and whether the mobility we are used to will ever be possible again. Economists call the phenomenon that today's youth will possibly be suffering their entire future working life from the current poor starting conditions, 'scarring effect'.
Solutions instead of blame
In view of these threatening consequences, it is not surprising that young people associate 'Corona' with insecurity, fear and sadness. They fear for their own private and professional future prospects and the economic and social existence of their families. "We must not allow young people to become the big losers of this crisis", demands Bernd Hückstädt, "because they deserve a fair chance of a fulfilled life". Margret Baier adds: "We do not need any assignment of blame now, but innovative approaches to solutions for the common future of old and young."
Basic income against basic insecurity
The bionic economists of the Gradido Academy are countering the great uncertainty and fear of the future with their 'Gradido model'. The model is based on the 'Gradido' currency for the common good, and with its way of creating money it completely abandons the previous principle of debt money and has an integrated crisis rescue plan based on an 'active basic income'. "With our model, we can successfully master the crisis and give both young and old people a future worth living in," Baier and Hückstädt underline.
Crisis as an opportunity for a sustainable course correction
According to Hückstädt, Corona is not the cause of all the problems that are currently becoming all too apparent. Rather, he sees the virus as a kind of fire accelerator for the disintegration of the ailing economic and financial system. The religious scholar Mirjam Schambeck adds: "The fears and questions provoked by Corona throw a spotlight on the polarised social structure in Germany. Youth researcher Corsten sees in the current necessity of getting involved in provisional arrangements and learning patience for waiting, but also the chance to develop an openness for alternative life models.
New world needs new ways
The Gradido model paves the way for such new life models through the 'unconditional participation' of all in community life. Hückstädt explains: "The basic ethical principle of Gradido is based on the 'triple good', i.e. on harmonising the good of the individual with that of the community and the whole - in the sense of nature and the environment. The individual is part of the community, and the community is part of the 'big picture', the ecosystem. One Gradido is worth about one Euro. Per capita, 3 × 1,000 Gradido are created per month. 1,000 Gradido each for the 'Active Basic Income', for the public budget and for the ' Compensation and Environment Fund'."
Government debt at the expense of future generations is taboo
The common good currency Gradido (GDD) is created as a credit for every person, without creating debts. Gradido thus follows nature's example in order to provide children and grandchildren with a debt-free future worth living. The previous conflict, which resulted from today's generations piling up mountains of debt for future generations, is thus history. "For young people, our new economic and financial model could point the way to the future", Hückstädt emphasises, "and we see it as our most important task to maintain their enjoyment of life and learning and their confidence in themselves and a good future".
Security for a lifetime
The 'Active Basic Income' secures the basic provision of all people and thus eliminates the constant fear of existence and future, which weakens the immune system and burdens the psyche. It thus creates a solid basis for the best possible personal and professional development. The 'Unconditional Participation', which also gives children and adolescents the opportunity to contribute to the community for their 'Active Basic Income', opens up unprecedented opportunities to try out, develop and, if necessary, change in a wide variety of areas. At the same time, the 'Active Basic Income' ensures that the children can earn a living even during their education. "Gradido thus provides the best basis for ensuring that everyone can exercise their vested rights to healthy development, education and further training and that we can overcome any crisis in a spirit of solidarity," Hückstädt emphasised.
For details of the complete 'Gradido model' see https://gradido.net
About the Gradido Academy
The Gradido Academy for Economic Bionics has developed an alternative 'common good currency' based on the models of nature. Nature follows the rule that only where something passes away can something new emerge, and thus long-term improvement (evolution) is possible. Its recipe for success is the 'cycle of life'. If our economy were also to follow this natural cycle, then, according to the assessment of the bionic economists, practically all the world's monetary problems could be solved. The Gradido model is based on the idea that not only every person, but also every state receives income generated on a credit basis. It can thus fulfil all its tasks without having to collect taxes. Deflation or inflation are a thing of the past. The economy is freed from the constant compulsion to grow, the danger of a collapse of the financial system is finally averted.(www.gradido.net)