Sucking Up, 75 Years and the Culture of Silence
Why not an angstculture or a look-away culture instead? That’s the question I’ll ask Marilieke Engbers and Pim Bouwman during the book discussion on December 10th.
Recently, I listened to a parliamentary debate on the new law regarding our Council of Advice (Raad van Advies). My respect for this council has plummeted even further. They proposed raising the mandatory retirement age to 75! This decision is met with deafening silence in a society already consumed with survival and trying to forget all misery during Christmas.
Ironically, it was the younger MPs—whom I often criticize—who stood up in this debate. They proposed mentorship programs and suggested creating a Youth Council of Advice. Yet, at the end of the day, the retirement age was still raised to 75, a real blow to the younger generation.
The young representatives rightly argued that younger people must be willing to take on such a prestigious role. And they’re correct—there are plenty of talented, ambitious young minds who could breathe fresh air into these institutions.
The only silver lining is that I have quite a few years left to qualify for a seat on this council myself! As the Dutch saying goes, "Speak-ing is silver, silence is golden." Well, I’m firmly in the silver camp.
Join us for the book discussion on Alleen aan de top!
Miguel Goede
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