Demographic Shift

Tomorrow's Event w/ Mike Hais and Morley Winograd on the Changing Coalitions of 21st Century America

Tomorrow at noon at NDN , we'll be revealing the findings of a 2,500 person sample market-research study on the new political coalitions of 21st Century America.  This study is the second in a three-part series.  If you missed the first study, released back in March, be sure to read it here.  Many of the most interesting findings (I've had a sneak-peak!) are even more interesting in the context of the continuum from the last release.  Also be sure to read Simon's last blog post - it really sets the stage for what's to come.

Presenting the findings and offering analysis are our NDN Fellows and acclaimed authors of Millennial Makeover, Mike Hais and Morley Winograd.  For those of you who follow Mike's blog Data Matters, or Mike and Morley's joint blog, Millennial Makeover, this is an excellent opportunity to meet them in person and watch them talk through the refreshing, prescient analysis they've become known for.  There will also be an opportunity for Q&A so be sure to RSVP

As a member of the 21st Century America Project team, I am thrilled by the amount we've been able to do in such a short time.  Building on NDN's legacy of conducting and sharing excellent public opinion and demographic research, in the last few months we've taken a look at the changing Latino demographic landscape and the changing political landscape. And along the way, opinion-makers have been taking notice.

I hope you'll join us tomorrow. 

Joel Kotkin's The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050

As part my introduction to the NDN world, and in anticipation of our Friday event, Simon tasked me with reading Joel Kotkin's The Next Hundred Million:  America in 2050.  You can imagine my excitement.  I mean, what's sexier than demography?  And yet Kotkin has a knack for making complex and data-heavy concepts accessible and - don't mock me - exciting. 

Kotkin begins with an introduction to America's current and forthcoming demographic shifts (in diversity of age, ethnicity, race and country of origin) and then delves into an unapologetically optimistic analysis of how those shifts -particularly America's youthfulness - will transform our shared future and allow America to maintain its place as a world leader.  On a local level, Kotkin explores migration within America, and examines how suburbs and city-centers will change to accommodate such growth, as well as the green technology critical to sustaining a population that needs to learn to do more with less.  That last bit might sound daunting, but here's Kotkin's main point, offered like a reassuring parent or partner:  we'll do what we need to do, as we've always done, and we'll be great.  We should be aware of the possible pitfalls, but we shouldn't worry.  In fact, we should step back and marvel at America's unlimited potential. 

Of particular note is how Kotkin's views defy the panic and paranoia of those who suggest that America grows at its own peril.  Kotkin views our growth and corresponding diversity as an asset that will "drive our economic resilience." In this way, The Next Hundred Million is the ultimate antidote to the far Right's assertion that Latinos and immigrants are changing America for the worse. 

If Kotkin's book is as spot-on as it seems, then I have seen a snapshot of the future, and I gotta say:  it looks pretty good.

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