Best-case scenario?

Really, Gen Z?

"Category III jobs: idealistic, but not all that ambitious

And then there's a third category, made up of people who're idealistic, but not that ambitious. It's a combination often seen in Gen Z—people born since 1996.

One survey after another shows that today's teenagers and twentysomethings make up the most progressive generation yet. 22 That's wonderful news. Most young people are far more idealistic than their parents and are focused on a number of the big challenges of our day, whether that's climate change or racism, sexual harassment or inequality.

But something seems to be missing. You see it in young people's take on their careers: with no interest in joining the capitalist rat race, many want work they're passionate about—and then preferably part-time. 23

Sometimes it seems "ambition" has become a dirty word, incompatible with an idealistic lifestyle. Many people are more preoccupied with the kind of work they do than with the impact that work has. As long as it feels good. "Small is beautiful," you'll then hear. Or "think global, act local"—as if achieving little is somehow a virtue.

In some circles, you'd think the highest good is not to have any impact at all. A good life is then primarily defined by what you don't do. Don't fly. Don't eat meat. Don't have kids. And whatever you do, don't even think about using a plastic straw. Reduce! Reduce! Reduce! The aim is to have the smallest footprint possible, with your little vegetable garden and your tiny house. Best-case scenario? Your impact on the planet is so negligible, you could just as well not have existed."

— Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference by Rutger Bregman