NEETs is a British term referring to young teenagers and adults with nothing to do. It stands for "not in employment, education or training." Although it's a British phrase, American graduates suffering in the current job market also fit the description. Studies say the number of American NEETs has risen by nearly 20 percent since the end of 2007.

Here's another thought, lifted from Ridley's inspiring book: "The 21st century will be a magnificent time to be alive," he says, a message which deserves to be disseminated far beyond the literary pages, so as to reach everyone from Neets and unemployed graduates to Lib Dems who cannot believe what they have got themselves into.

As questions concerning young people not in education, training and employment have entered the political and policy arenas, their categorisation has been sanitised yet further; it is alleged that at high levels of central government they are referred to as NEET young people: those Not in Education, Employment or Training.