We recently included several winning Top Question Tuesday selections on an interactive poll. Stay tuned to this blog as we’ll be releasing the results over the next several weeks! And don’t forget to submit your own nominations for Top Question Tuesday using the box on the right of this blog.

One question asked whether Americans should be allowed to smoke marijuana for medicinal purposes. Overall, 68% of the sample believed yes,  Americans  should be allowed to smoke marijuana for medicinal purposes, while 22% of the sample believed they should not, and 10% were not sure.

Groups that were more likely than average to say yes included those 18-29 (83%), progressives (96%), liberals (92%), and Democrats (83%). Groups that were more likely than average to say no included conservatives (37%),  very conservatives (49%), and Republicans (37%). However, even most of  these groups had more respondents answer yes than no; in fact, the very conservatives were the only group in our survey that had more people answer no than yes.

What are your feelings on medical marijuana? Why should people be allowed or not allowed to smoke for medicinal purposes?  Does it surprise you that majorities of most groups in America believe people should be allowed to smoke marijuana for medicinal purposes, but relatively few locations have laws which permit this? Is this likely to change in the future?

Katy health, politics culture, elections, future, health, politics, Top Question Tuesday

We are thrilled to welcome Maya Frost as a guest blogger on The Way We’ll Be. Maya is an internationally recognized expert on nontraditional and innovative paths through higher education. Maya is the author of The New Global Student, a primer for students and parents interested in global and unorthodox higher education while avoiding the anxiety and expense of traditional college. You can read more about Maya at her website and blog. Thanks Maya!

In his book, The Way We’ll Be, John Zogby describes the current generation of twenty-somethings (and a bit younger) as those who are more likely than any other age group to know someone who lives abroad, to consider going abroad, and to have knowledge of and interest in other parts of the world. He describes these young people as our First Global Citizens.

In my book, The New Global Student, I describe the young people who are broadening their perspective by actually spending meaningful and substantial periods of time abroad. These “New Globals” are a subset of the First Global Citizens in that they are the travelers who are sharing their experiences and first-hand knowledge with those who are seeking information about the world beyond our nation’s borders.

What distinguishes these young travelers from their backpacking-through-Europe-in-the-seventies parents is that are using the internet to design their individual dreams. And while their peers may be signing up for group tours, “submarine” programs (immersed in a bubble along with other Americans abroad) or expensive university study abroad options, the New Globals are choosing to:
1) create the terms of their stay (destination, cost, length of time, activities, type of housing, etc.)
2) connect directly with locals who can help them learn more about the people and places that intrigue them
3) collaborate with others to share ideas about ventures that allow them to spend more time in their chosen destination in ways that support and encourage the community.

In general, the New Globals are following three bold rules when it comes to traveling: go solo, go long, and go deep. This isn’t the Cancun-for-spring-break crowd or the shopping-and-cappuccino-in-Rome-with-my-girlfriends crowd—it’s the hey-I’m-thinking-of-heading-to-Bogotá-next solo traveler who speaks Spanish (thanks to, say, a few months as a journalism intern in Argentina after a summer volunteering in Guatemala), has an abiding interest in Latin American culture and has friends (new and old) waiting for him when he arrives. New Globals are more likely to pick off-the-beaten-path places that require less money but a greater sense of adventure. They use Facebook and CouchSurfing to meet others and find endless opportunities for work and cultural engagement wherever they go.

While the First Global Citizens will be making a tremendous impact on our culture in the next few years, keep your eye on the ones they’re watching: the New Globals. Their stories will inspire others to stretch their wings and discover more about the world and their possibilities for making it a better place.

ZogbyFeaturedContributor Uncategorized culture, education, international, internet, John Zogby, shopping, summer, The Way We'll Be, travel, volunteering, work, zogby

According to a Zogby International poll conducted in August 2005, 87% of Americans agreed that the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 was the most historical event of their lifetime and that our culture, how we all live together in America, and how we as Americans view the world will never be the same. And nearly four years after the tragic day, over three fourths (76%) of those surveyed claimed the events still affected them emotionally, and nearly 70% personally thought about the attacks at least once a week. Among First Globals™ (18-29 year olds), 60% said their memories of the attacks were as emotionally vivid and dramatic in 2005 as they were in 2001. Over one fourth of those surveyed (26%) knew someone who had a family member killed or injured during the attacks of September 11th.

Concerning memorials, 21% of respondents stated that a permanent memorial has been created in their community. However, after 8 years, the reconstruction of the World Trade Center site in New York City is incomplete. Did you think it would be completed sooner? Do you think the length of time will lessen the impact when the memorial is complete, or will it add to the significance of that day?

ZogbyFeaturedContributor culture, politics culture, first globals, history, international, politics, zogby

It’s shaping up to be a good, if expensive, week for survey researchers (and others) who are also Beatles fans. This Wednesday, Harmonix Music Systems will release the greatly anticipated The Beatles: Rock Band , a video game which will allow users to jam along with the Beatles interactively on the game’s electronic instruments. That same day, digitally remastered versions of all Beatles studio albums will be released . Serious aficionados will no doubt snap up the box set featuring 14 of these remastered CDs along with brief documentaries detailing the making of each CD.

In a nine page article in the New York Times describing the making of The Beatles: Rock Band, author Daniel Radosh describes the extensive involvement of surviving Beatles Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney as well as Yoko Ono and Olivia and Dhani Harrison in imagining, creating, refining, and publicizing the game. On the decision to place the Beatles in the center of the interactive video game cultural phenomenon, McCartney comments that “I think it reflects where the Beatles are at.. we are halfway between reality and mythology.” McCartney is also a fan of the game’s interactive nature, noting that “you want people to get engaged… [now people can feel as if] they possess or own the song, that they’ve been in it.”

Meanwhile, some pollsters are hard at work confirming hypotheses that will come as little surprise to Beatles fans: more than forty years after their last group recording, the Beatles are judged to be the most liked musical group in America, and their fans are found in every generation. Pew reports that 49% of those surveyed claimed they liked the Beatles “a lot”, and 81% like the Beatles overall. This is the highest favorability percentage for any of the 20 musical groups or artists included in Pew’s survey. The biggest fans are those between 50 and 64, with 65% of this age group liking the Beatles “a lot”, but fans are found in all age groups: 45% of those between 16 and 25 also like the Beatles “a lot”.

Are you a Beatles fan? Do you think any musical group will ever have a cultural or musical impact equal to the Beatles? Do you plan to purchase or play any of the Beatles-related music or games released this week?

Katy culture, lifestyles, media Beatles, best band ever, culture, entertainment, music, polls, video, work

We’re very excited to welcome back Maya Dukmasova as a guest blogger this weekend. Maya is an intern with Zogby International and a junior at the University of Rochester, working on a dual B.A. in Philosophy and Religion. Originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia, she currently lives in Syracuse, NY and will be spending the coming semester studying philosophy in Paris, France. She also writes an intependent blog with interviews and impressions of ‘Life in a New Russia’ www.newspblife.com . Thanks Maya!

As the global economy develops (barring the events of the past year), U.S. entrepreneurs are facing serious competition from ambitious, creative individuals in other countries. And the competition is not just coming from the well-off European states and Japan, but also from the developing nations. In a June 3, 2009 interactive survey, we asked 3,030 adults where they thought the next Bill Gates would come from. Almost an equal number of people (right around 28%) picked India as the U.S. , from a list that also included China, Russia, Brazil, Japan, and Other/Not Sure.

However, when we take a look at the age groups separately, more of those aged 18-29 or 30-49 years old think that the next Bill Gates will come from this country than older age groups. Conversely, those over 50 years old were more likely to pick India. Perhaps the general perception of the U.S. as a place of opportunity, wealth, and security, which allows entrepreneurs to take chances, is coming up against a new worldview. Places like India and China are seen to be full of intelligent, business-minded people who are hungry for a chance to advance their ideas. Some people, especially older generations, could be reflecting on the decline of U.S. economic hegemony as well as the increasing leadership of other nations. Perhaps these countries win out among certain demographics on account of the perceived ambition of their populations rather than the perceived strength of the support fabric of these countries’ governments and cultures?

More behind the cut.. Read more…

Katy Uncategorized culture, economy, education, future, Generations, international, military, religion, war, work, zogby

In his book “The Blank Slate”, psychologist Steven Pinker has, among other things, criticized the “noble savage” view of human nature. According to this view, people are by nature generous and non-aggressive, however, as they grow up they get corrupted by the existing culture. Consequently, vast majority of social problems can be solved by changing culture and returning to the age of innocence. Pinker, on the other hand, used psychological, historical and archaeological evidence to argue that such times never existed.

Our data show that a vast majority of people appear to be endorsing the noble savage view of human nature. Overall, 55% percent of Americans agree with the view, “generally speaking, people are born nice and generous, but the existing culture gradually corrupts them”. Perhaps surprisingly, there are no generational differences and ideological differences are almost negligible.

What is your view of the “noble savage” hypothesis?

Zeljka culture, first globals, future, ideology, psychology culture

We’ve heard about the Greatest Generation. Now we seem to have the most hated generation: Baby Boomers.

Maybe that is an exaggeration, but our recent interactive poll  of 4,811 U.S. adults found 42% saying Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) will be remembered for “ushering in an era of consumerism and self-indulgence.” The other choice we gave respondents was to say the Boomer legacy will be “helping to bring lasting change in social and cultural values and ending a war.” That more favorable description is believed by 26% of our sample. The remaining 32% chose “nothing at all” some other legacy or just weren’t sure. (You can read John Zogby’s analysis of this poll at Forbes.com.)

I’ll drop all pretense of objectivity and say that I am part of the Woodstock generation. I was born in 1948 and am a writer at Zogby, with a background in newspapers and advocacy. 

I even went to Woodstock, and wrote a God awful piece for my local paper with a lead that read: “I was there.” So I will readily admit we thought we were special, and that we could change the world. That notion was short-lived.

So I refuse to silently take this generational bad rap. Generations don’t consciously decide how they will react to the world. They play the hand they are dealt, with human nature in control.  

Hardened by the Depression, the Greatest Generation was faced with fighting a just war against fascists who wanted to dominate the world. The survival instinct produced brave warriors and self-sacrificing civilians. They won the war, and the U.S. emerged prosperous and powerful. Mass media and modern advertising started to dominate the culture, ushering in the consumer age.

Still in survival instinct mode, the Greatest Generation sent  Baby Boomers to fight a misguided war that could not be won, and as history played out, wasn’t even worth winning. We now buy clothes from Vietnam. Our nation fissured over the war. At the same time, African-Americans justly demanded equal rights. Women went to college in much greater numbers, and they too expected equal pay and status. The post-war prosperity bred indulgence in the form of drugs and looser sexual mores. In short, all Hell broke loose.

The nation, and the Baby Boom generation itself, have been split ever since along those 1960s fault lines. Despite all that, normalcy goes on across political ideologies. People continue to work, raise families and want the best for their children. Human nature prevails.

What do you think about Baby Boomers and their legacy?

Paul Uncategorized, culture culture, drugs, Generations, history, John Zogby, media, war, work, zogby

In his book “Capitalism and Freedom”, Milton Friedman argues that economic freedom is not just important in itself, but is also the foundation of all other freedoms.  According to our survey data, 47% of Americans agree.

There also exist substantial generational differences regarding this issue. First Globals™ are the less likely than other  generations to agree that “economic freedom is the foundation of all other freedoms” and most likely to agree that “cultural and social freedom is more important than economic freedom.” In a November 2008 Zogby survey, 34% of First Globals™ agreed with the former, and 52% agreed with the latter. The next oldest generation – those between ages of 30 and 40 – endorsed the former by 48% and the latter by 38%.

Do First Globals™ put more weight on social and cultural freedom because of their stronger connection to to global culture? Or are they relatively less interested in economic freedom because they earn less money? How important is economic freedom to you?

Zeljka economics, first globals capitalism, culture, first globals, Generations, zogby

Much has been said about how Barack Obama may be able to change the world’s image of the U.S., especially in places where we have not been seen as a friendly nation.

John Zogby’s current column on Forbes.com addresses that issue, and he sees reasons for optimism, especially among young adults. Some of the cause is Obama, but more important is the world view of young adults (First Globals™).

The two regions discussed are Latin America, where Zogby International conducted a poll this month of 18-29-year-olds, and the Middle East, where we have a long history of polling. The Latin America survey of First Globals™ also included the U.S., and found strong sentiment for reconciliation in the Western Hemisphere.

Here is some of what Zogby wrote: “One could dismiss all of these opinions as the whims of youth that are very likely to change. However, these First Globals™ are a new breed raised with the Internet and nearly unlimited access to the world. Their outlook is inherently outward, and the forces that brought them there will only grow stronger. Reconciliation with our southern neighbors is in their interest, and that is unlikely to change.”

As for the Middle East, Zogby encourages greater opportunities for First Globals™ in both the U.S. and the Middle East to travel abroad and learn first-hand about each others’ nations and cultures. “Participants asked me what we can do to improve relations with the Middle East. My response was that we should push for more visas for U.S. First Globals™ to visit the Middle East, and for young adults there to come to the U.S. We must nurture the interest they have in each other and all global citizens. Previous generations have not done enough to reconcile national differences and conflicts. Let’s help a new generation achieve more.”

What do you think about whether First Globals™ and whether they will lead the way to a more peaceful world?

Paul first globals, global issues culture, first globals, Generations, history, international, internet, John Zogby, middle east, Obama, peace, travel, war, zogby

Most Americans believe small business, science and tech leaders will lead the U.S. to a better future – not the news media, government or large corporations. That’s the key finding from a new We Media/Zogby survey released today in conjunction with the We Media Miami 09 conference.

You can find and discuss the findings here. Like all surveys, this one is a snapshot in time – and given the times, not that surprising. The world is in a world of mess made worse by failing big businesses and inept governments. Big media is tumbling too. But it correlates with what my research organization, iFOCOS, has been forecasting for nearly a decade: a historic, global shift in human behavior and organization. A new era.

The New Now

While the marketers and lords of commerce were playing with our futures, the future itself was emerging in ways that broke dramatically from the past. Technology, economics and human creativity converged to shape the post-collapse era, the connected and empowered culture we call the New Now. In the connected culture we can no longer claim ignorance, innocence or powerlessness. Great forces of authority, perception and commerce compete for our attention and submission. What’s changed is that we can compete back. And we are. Something big is emerging – a culture broadly redefined and organized around individuals, creativity, empowerment and responsibility – and enriched, as we’ve long anticipated, by the continuous flow of information through ubiquitous digital networks.

In his book The Way We’ll Be, John Zogby writes optimistically of what he sees in today’s 20-somethings – global, digital natives, diverse and accepting of differences, and hunger for solutions. We see that too in our work at iFOCOS: an emerging culture of passion and purpose – in business, in life, in everything. The public’s sense of who will lead us to a better future reflects the failures of the 20th Century’s biggest and most influential institutions.  Dissatisfaction with the news media, corporations and government runs deep. So in The New Now Americans look elsewhere.

Read more…

ZogbyFeaturedContributor communication, future, media culture, economics, future, John Zogby, media, technology, The Way We'll Be, work, zogby