I have such hope for our future

Two recent articles reflect the statistics of what I see in working with awesome teenagers every day.  

First, a research study that proves that IQ is not fixed in the teenage brain.  The common belief was that your IQ, which is your ability to learn, not what you already know, was set at birth and therefore your destiny.  With the technology we have today that allows us to peer inside the brain, this study found the remarkable plasticity of the teenage brain.  In other words, you CAN change your IQ with persistence and hard work.  Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration".  He was right.

Secondly, the statistics that show the world is becoming more peaceful.  Because of the instant access to what is going on in the world, it would be easy to believe that the world is a violent place.  However, statistically speaking, it is much less violent.  For example, in the Middle Ages, 500 out of every 100,000 people were killed in battle.  Now, it is three-tenths of a person per 100,000.  There were 20 democracies in 1946.  Today, there are almost 100.  The researcher says that this is a result of people becoming smarter.  A more intelligent and educated population tries to reduce wars and violence.  And, teenagers are smarter with each generation.  "This year's average kid would have been a near-genius a century ago."

Every day, I interact with hundreds of teenagers from a huge variety of backgrounds and with a huge variety of abilities.  Yes, teenagers continue to be hormonal and impulsive, and yet they amaze me constantly.  So many are thoughtful and aware, while juggling many more balls than I could have imagined when I was their age.  It really does give me hope for our future.