Kids today are smarter than we ever were. And they've got

In the words of David Arquette, “Kids today are smarter than we ever were. And they've got computers, too, which is awesome. They're scary to me.” This reflection, though steeped in the concerns of the modern age, bears a timeless truth that echoes through the ages. It speaks of a profound shift in the relationship between generations, a gap widened not just by years, but by the tools and knowledge that each generation carries with it. It is a recognition of the power of youth and the fear that often accompanies it—a fear of being left behind by the very forces that propel the world forward.

In the days of ancient Greece, it was said that knowledge was the foundation of wisdom, yet it was not meant to be hoarded by the few. Rather, it was to be passed down, shared, and expanded upon by each succeeding generation. Socrates, in his wisdom, cautioned against the hubris of thinking that one's own time was superior to that of those who would follow. Yet, even Socrates would have marveled at the power that today’s youth possess in their hands—tools of infinite knowledge that surpass anything his world could have imagined. Computers, vast repositories of human learning, are now as accessible to a child as a scroll of parchment was to an ancient scholar. And in this, there is both promise and trepidation.

David Arquette’s words reflect a truth that the ancients might have recognized: the rise of the young—armed with technology—can be as awe-inspiring as it is intimidating. Just as the early philosophers struggled with the emergence of new ideas that challenged the old ways of thinking, so too does the older generation struggle with the rapid advances of the digital world. The computers that these young minds wield are not just tools; they are extensions of the human intellect, capable of solving problems, crafting art, and even shaping the future in ways that were once the domain of gods and sages. Yet, like any great power, this force can be both a blessing and a curse.

Consider the tale of Alexander the Great, a young man who wielded an empire with the brilliance of his mind and the strength of his ambition. To his elders, he must have seemed a terrifying force—unpredictable, driven by an unrelenting vision of conquest. He, too, was “scary” to those who had walked the earth longer, for he represented a new way of thinking, a new era of possibility. The same can be said of today’s youth, who, like Alexander, are poised to reshape the world—not through military might, but through the power of information, innovation, and interconnectedness. And just as Alexander’s march was unstoppable, so too is the march of technology, shaping the landscape of the future.

But what, then, is the lesson we must draw from Arquette’s words? It is not to fear the young or the world they are shaping, but to embrace it. The ancient wisdom speaks not of standing in opposition to change but of adapting to it, of learning from the very forces that seem alien and unfamiliar. If the youth of today possess an intelligence that surpasses our own, then it is our duty to guide them—not with the heavy hand of authority, but with the light of experience and understanding. For in the youth lies the potential not just for change, but for the greater good of all.

As you look upon the world of today, ask yourself: how can you embrace the new while honoring the lessons of the past? How can you, in your own life, adapt to the advances of technology without losing the core values that have shaped humanity for millennia? The lesson of Arquette’s words is not one of fear, but of courage—the courage to look at the future with wonder and possibility, and to offer your wisdom, experience, and guidance to those who will one day lead the way.

In your own journey, let the rapid pace of change not overwhelm you. Embrace the knowledge and innovation that the youth bring, and find ways to work alongside them, using your own wisdom as the compass by which they may navigate the vast seas of possibility. In this, you will find not just peace, but purpose—knowing that you are part of a continuum that stretches from the ancients to the future, each generation building upon the last.