Two U.S. Public Service Academy interns had the opportunity to attend a recent debate between two Millennial generation experts that asked, Are the Millennials the dumbest or the next great generation?

Mark Bauerlein, author of The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future debated Neil Howe, author of Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation. The statistics were dizzying and leaned both in favor and against the Millennial generation, those born between the years 1982 and 2000. Such statistics included were that Millennials spend less than one hour a week reading for pleasure and spend over 9 hours a week on social networking websites. One study shared was a group of high school seniors were asked the following question– “Who were America’s allies in World War II?” Fifty percent surveyed answered at least one of the following– Germany, Japan, and Italy. 

While there were also studies, statistics, and arguments that were laid out in defense of the quality of knowledge and skills of Millennials, one cannot deny that America’s youth are in jeopardy of spiraling away from substantive activities and ultimately, career paths that will improve the capacity of America to rule. The U.S. Public Service Academy would be an inspiration to America’s youth and offer them a goal to reach for throughout their adolescence, regardless of economic background. America’s youth are special and the U.S. Public Service Academy would give them the specialized education they desire and graduate highly specialized public servants that America deserves.