What are some topics, or people, that you think young people should know about?

How could I forget Michigan J. Frog?

When I read your question, I didn’t think of cultural icons. Instead, I immediately started with broader, life lessons that should be told to every teenager.

- The cruel social structure of high school is meaningless. As soon as you and your classmates graduate, you’ll disperse far-and-wide into the world. Everyone gets a clean slate. The popular girls and A-List boys will lose their status and wonder where it went. The kids at or below the middle of the pack have the chance to thrive among adults.

- Learn how to cook, clean, and do your laundry. These simple domestic tasks are needed throughout any responsible life.

- Don’t believe anyone who tells you that these are the best years of your life. For most of us, adolescence is a twisty, confusing path. You’ll learn from those ordeals, and life gets so much better after high school.

- Put down your cellphone, and logoff from your computer! Read books; visit museums; get physical exercise; discover some fun hobbies; play a sport; go to events and do activities with your friends and family members. A virtual life can’t replicate real-life experiences.

- Love and respect your parents. They’re not perfect, but they love you deeply and are doing their best. Raising children is the toughest job ever.

- Find a way to continue your education. Few families can afford to write checks for $70K per year for 4 years at a private, residential college, but there are other ways. You can spend very little for community college, do well, and get financial aid to transfer to a state university. You can get a job and go to school part-time (difficult but do-able).

@Love_my_doggie I love everything you put on your list. Keep ‘em coming : )

Agnosticism, Atheism, birth control, world populations, ocean overfishing, general food shortages, antibiotic resistant superbugs like MRSA, ...

@kritiper do you think that most young people are unaware of the things you listed?

I have noticed that most people, no matter their age, seem to be unaware of the antibiotic resistant superbugs (doctors included).

@Love_my_doggie I’m tired of people telling me that high school is the best year of my life too. It’s only wonderful for those on the top of the foodchain. I myself have had enough trauma already.

I don’t really require young people to know about any specific thing I’m a young person myself too :P. I just want them to have more empathy and get deeper knowledge of whatever they know well except for the pop culture.Because no one likes to talk with a shallow person who only knows everything on surface value.

@Kardamom Best to be sure. “Knowledge is power” and “NEVER assume ANYTHING!”
I don’t think some people want to know too much about antibiotic resistant superbugs because there is very little anyone can do about them so why start a panic?? “Ignorance is bliss!”

Vaccinations work
Climate change is real and it’s our fault
The Earth is round and not the center of the universe.

After the last year on the internet, my standards are really freaking low.

Pink Floyd Discography

Queen
Robert Johnson

Test taking tips.

Credit card interest.

Compound interest.

Retirement financial planning.

Wealth gives you freedom, it is not about what you can buy, but rather that you have control over your life.

Helping others, and the theory of paying forward.

Shaking hands.

Setting a table and cutting your food.

Communication and relationship skills.

You can never know someone’s intent unless you ask. Never assume.

The golden rule.

Kitchen and food safety.

Washing clothes, sewing on a button.

Basic math.

Don’t believe everything you read and question everything.

Independent thinking and analytical skills.

I guess I should add to this list: learn how to cook and how to identify food. Know that there is more to food than McDonald’s.

Learn about your own health and how to maintain it.

Learn how to engage people of all types, learn how to make friends and be a friend, learn how to avoid isolation.

@Kardamom Hey! Isolation can be a good thing! It depends on what one’s needs are.

As my old pappy used to say, don’t sweat the petty stuff, and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.