What’s more, this boom in childish entertainment points to a much larger problem: our culture no longer offers any models of adulthood that are remotely appealing. Growing up is identified with resignation; abandoning all the dreams of adventure, all the hopes you had for enjoying, and contributing to, a better future…

it is not just our fault: the forces that govern society do not really want grown-ups, for immature masses are much easier to manage. In Kant’s day, the means by which people were kept immature were straightforward. Censorship and punishment worked to keep subjects from thinking for themselves.

While we shouldn’t forget that those methods are still used in countries with which we are allied – Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and China leap to mind – the West has discovered more effective ways of keeping its citizens from growing up. Distraction works better than censorship. If you prevent people from getting information, some bold souls will always be moved to rebel. If you flood them with unmanageable quantities, they just want the noise to stop.