To backtest our competing theories, here is a sampled list of Boomer student demands....
....and now GenZ student demands...
I see no measurable increase or decrease in critical thinking, intelligence, or awareness that free stuff isn't free. The only improvement, is in presentation (which is really due to computers).
I'm not saying today's idiotic youths are better or worse than prior generations' idiots. They're different..but that's nothing new. The hippies and grungers were different, but their cries of "ban the bomb" and "divest" were equally misguided, and precursors to "12.73 years left." Similarly, today's pod-eaters' demands for bespoke pronouns is simply the demon-spawn of hyphenated surnames and ridiculous first names.
Where I DO see deterioration, is in how the GenZers and Millenials regard authority IN GENERAL. Prior generations disregarded authority, challenged authority, and mocked authority. Today's youths OBEY AUTHORITY. Their unquestioning loyalty to the CDC, Fauci. Global warming peddlers, and the like is breathtaking. I sort of WANT the kids to mock the elders. The way how many in this generation masked and vaxxed up, was troubling.
Again, painting with broad brush strokes covers up the strengths of young Deplorables. Thankfully, the youths with whom I have contact, who generally lean right, as also aghast at their pod-eating brethren. I have hope.