Kids These Days

Human Capital and the Making of Millennials

By: Malcolm Harris

Narrated by: Will Collyer

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Named one of Fall 2017's most anticipated books by New York magazine, Publishers Weekly, Nylon, and LitHub

Everyone knows "what's wrong with millennials". Glenn Beck says we've been ruined by "participation trophies". Simon Sinek says we have low self-esteem. An Australian millionaire says millennials could all afford homes if we'd just give up avocado toast. Thanks, millionaire.

This millennial is here to prove them all wrong.

"The best, most comprehensive work of social and economic analysis about our benighted generation." (Tony Tulathimutte, author of Private Citizens)

"The kind of brilliantly simple idea that instantly clarifies an entire area of culture."(William Deresiewicz, author of Excellent Sheep)

Millennials have been stereotyped as lazy, entitled, narcissistic, and immature. We've gotten so used to sloppy generational analysis filled with dumb clichés about young people that we've lost sight of what really unites millennials. Namely:

• We are the most educated and hardworking generation in American history.
• We poured historic and insane amounts of time and money into preparing ourselves for the 21st century labor market.
• We have been taught to consider working for free (homework, internships) a privilege for our own benefit.
• We are poorer, more medicated, and more precariously employed than our parents, grandparents, even our great-grandparents, with less of a social safety net to boot.

Kids These Days is about why. In brilliant, crackling prose, early Wall Street occupier Malcolm Harris gets mercilessly real about our maligned birth cohort. Examining trends like runaway student debt, the rise of the intern, mass incarceration, social media, and more, Harris gives us a portrait of what it means to be young in America today that will wake you up and piss you off.

Millennials were the first generation raised explicitly as investments, Harris argues, and in Kids These Days, he dares us to confront and take charge of the consequences now that we are grown up.

©2017 Malcolm Harris (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"This fiercely smart book is not just another 'millennial skilled chain restaurants' kind of thing. Instead, Harris dives deep into the ways that the millennial generation has been shaped by the capitalist economic forces at work now in America.... It's a must read for anyone who cares about the future of our society." ( Nylon)

"It is difficult to believe nobody has written this book before, although it is fortunate that Harris - who manages to be quick and often funny without sacrificing rigor - is the author who ultimately took up the task. In fewer than three hundred pages, he surveys the myriad hot takes on millennials - they're lazy, they're entitled, they're narcissists who buy avocado toast instead of homes, slacking on Snapchat at their unpaid internships - and asks, 'Why?'" ( Bookforum)

"Harris writes clearly and thoughtfully on key issues facing this generation today...[he] reveals the political, cultural, and economic climates that millennials need to navigate, along with the new issues, never seen in previous generations, millennials must address. Readers interested in sociology of class, economic history, and the millennial generation will find plenty of fascinating food for thought here." ( Booklist)

Interesting read and take on millennial.

The author makes some interesting connections and conclusions, not all of which use a complete set of data. Interesting perspective worth reading.

The voice of a generation

This book nails it. We’re in a crisis and just trying to tread water. This book elucidates it all.

An in-depth look at millennials

This book does a great job reviewing the childhood, teen years and young adulthood for millennials. The authors voice makes the concepts approachable. I never once felt lost even though there were a few times there were ideas being covered I’m not familiar with. I also respect how the book was ended. Overall I am thankful I read it and I wish more people in power or their staff would read it.

A Mixed Bag

The book serves as more of a commentary of modern society than a real exploration into Millennial culture and norms. It is still an engaging read (or listen, as it were) but it also falls prey to most of the sociology classes I took in college which is that it is highly critical of society and the methods we might try to use to fix the problems and inequalities but offers no insight in how we might actually set about making change. The book literally pokes holes in all methods of change and then implores our generation to act...but doesn't offer us even a first step on the path of a better tomorrow. That's not to say the criticisms are wrong it just gives us nothing to actually go on.

The narrator is awesome. Will Collyer definitely imparts a sense of irony and even sarcasm into the writing that made this an enjoyable listen.

Light on data

References are used only sparingly, making it hard to recommend this title as much more than anecdote.

Wonderfully Depressing

This book will fill you with joyful depression as you realize the state of everything

So informative!!

Great book!! I think more people should read. It gave a good understanding of our issues and concerns.

Appreciate the “no bow” ending

A look at the millennial generation that attempts to prophecy what will happen if trends continue. Several of the themes have continued, as this book was written long enough ago that we’ve seen two presidential terms and a pandemic pass by, but I think the most salient point the author makes is not about what will or might happen, but at the futility of the “bop it” responses we have been given to change things. I appreciate that the conclusion doesn’t tie a bow on a hopeful future or an action plan, just a reasonable acknowledgement that the levers we are told to pull for change aren’t working.

The time to read this book has already been stolen from you

This book will blow your mind and give you an urgent sense of responsibility for the future. Highly recommended reading for teachers, students and educators of all ages.

Need a more contemplative narrator

I'm sure the voice actor is talented and capable but the subject matter is serious and somber while his cadence is jolly and over excited.