<p>Our world is facing new and increasingly frightening challenges, and political polarization has never been greater. Many see reasoned, respectful discourse as our only path to survival and progress. But attaining the skills and values it requires is not straightforward. Is reasoned discourse the only or the best path forward? Navigating such a path will pass into the hands of today’s youth. Especially in today’s deeply troubled world, argued for here is the need for youth to become involved as early as possible in contemplating individually and collaboratively the serious issues their world faces, in so doing building the skills and values that serious discourse entails. How else can they envision future selves as informed, thoughtful contributors to achieving solutions, especially today with as many poor public role models as good ones? As a precursor to civic action, a first step is for today’s youth to engage in deep thinking and talking about the issues that face them and they potentially might take action with regard to. Such discourse should be a core of their education, preparing them for futures that will depend on it. Societies that don’t prepare their next generation are the ones at most risk of not surviving.</p>