Our New Culture?
December 20 US News and World Report (www.usnews.com)
The article, The Cheating Game, discussed how cheating has
become endemic in our culture. Kids use cell phones to trade and
solicit test answers, and download papers from the Internet. It
also suggests that no one submits a truthful resume anymore, and
since everyone embellishes, one loses out if they don’t also.
Editor:
As a student, I feel “The Cheating Game” is a prime example of
senseless lack of thought. The article did not give valid reasons
for cheating being wrong, yet there were many instances of
deeming the act wrong. Gary Pavela, Director of Judicial
Programs, was quoted saying, “You’re going to have to think about
this behavior and what a danger it poses to you and the larger
society.” I would love to hear Pavela enumerate the dangers that
society would face from a single instance of cheating. He could
not. There are none. I contend that cheating is not wrong.
Moreover, cheating is an efficient method of producing a viable
product instead of laboring over busywork that one is already
capable of. This country was built on stepping around boundaries
and getting things done. I do not believe that we should reprimand
students who subscribe to these same methods. Cheating
produces leaders, people who accomplish tasks by any means
necessary and this country needs more of those.
Richard Henderson
Kansas City, Missouri
The article, The Cheating Game, discussed how cheating has
become endemic in our culture. Kids use cell phones to trade and
solicit test answers, and download papers from the Internet. It
also suggests that no one submits a truthful resume anymore, and
since everyone embellishes, one loses out if they don’t also.
Editor:
As a student, I feel “The Cheating Game” is a prime example of
senseless lack of thought. The article did not give valid reasons
for cheating being wrong, yet there were many instances of
deeming the act wrong. Gary Pavela, Director of Judicial
Programs, was quoted saying, “You’re going to have to think about
this behavior and what a danger it poses to you and the larger
society.” I would love to hear Pavela enumerate the dangers that
society would face from a single instance of cheating. He could
not. There are none. I contend that cheating is not wrong.
Moreover, cheating is an efficient method of producing a viable
product instead of laboring over busywork that one is already
capable of. This country was built on stepping around boundaries
and getting things done. I do not believe that we should reprimand
students who subscribe to these same methods. Cheating
produces leaders, people who accomplish tasks by any means
necessary and this country needs more of those.
Richard Henderson
Kansas City, Missouri
The 48 Laws of POWER by Robert Greene
2. Never put too much trust in friends, Learn
how to use enemies
3. Conceal your intentions
12. Use selective honesty and generosity to
disarm your victim
14. Pose as a friend, work as a spy
32. Play to people's fantasies
43. Work on the hearts and minds of others
2. Never put too much trust in friends, Learn
how to use enemies
- Be wary of friends - they will betray
you more quickly, for they are easily
aroused to envy. They also become
spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a
former enemy and he will be more
loyal than a friend, because he has
more to prove. In fact, you have more
to fear from friends than from
enemies. If you have no enemies,
find a way to make them.
3. Conceal your intentions
- Keep people off balance and in the
dark by never revealing the purpose
behind your actions. If they have no
clue what you are up to, they cannot
prepare a defense. Guide them far
enough down the wrong path,
envelop them in enough smoke, and
by the time they realize your
intentions, it will be too late.
12. Use selective honesty and generosity to
disarm your victim
- One sincere and honest move will
cover over dozens of dishonest ones.
Open-hearted gestures of honesty
and generosity bring down the guard
of even the most suspicious people.
Once your selective honesty opens a
hole in their armor, you can deceive
and manipulate them at will. A timely
gift - a Trojan horse - will serve the
same purpose.
14. Pose as a friend, work as a spy
- Knowing about your rival is critical.
Use spies to gather valuable
information that will keep you a step
ahead. Better still: Play the spy
yourself. In polite social encounters,
learn to probe. Ask indirect questions
to get people to reveal their
weaknesses and intentions. There is
no occasion that is not an opportunity
for artful spying.
32. Play to people's fantasies
- The truth is often avoided because it
is ugly and unpleasant. Never appeal
to truth and reality unless you are
prepared for the anger that comes
from disenchantment. Life is so
harsh and distressing that people
who can manufacture romance or
conjure up fantasy are like oases in
the desert: Everyone flocks to them.
There is great power in tapping into
the fantasies of the masses.
43. Work on the hearts and minds of others
- Coercion creates a reaction that will
eventually work against you. You
must seduce others into wanting to
move in your direction. A person you
have seduced becomes your loyal
pawn. And the way to seduce others
is to operate on their individual
psychologies and weaknesses.
Soften up the resistance by working
on their emotions, playing on what
they hold dear and what they fear.
Ignore the hearts and minds of others
and they will grow to hate you.
In Rome, did they realize their culture was disintegrating, but were unable to do
anything about it? In Germany, did they realize their culture was being captured and
dragged to destruction, by an arrogant charismatic socialist, but could only watch
helplessly? Or did they contribute?
The above images are effects, not cause; or are they?
And what are we doing to stem the tide of decline? "We", after all, are the cause of the
decline; how can it be stemmed when so enthusiastically embraced? We condemn
the "don't rock my boat" Munich mentality of Neville Chamberlain: never again. But
when it is we who are caught in the land slide of debilitating individual motivation it
appears differently.
What, after all, beyond offering example, can we do? Freedom and rights do not
always propel us in the right direction.
Perhaps more cogently, do we even care? Some do; but enough? Apparently not, or
at least not yet. And then, what is it they care about?
anything about it? In Germany, did they realize their culture was being captured and
dragged to destruction, by an arrogant charismatic socialist, but could only watch
helplessly? Or did they contribute?
The above images are effects, not cause; or are they?
And what are we doing to stem the tide of decline? "We", after all, are the cause of the
decline; how can it be stemmed when so enthusiastically embraced? We condemn
the "don't rock my boat" Munich mentality of Neville Chamberlain: never again. But
when it is we who are caught in the land slide of debilitating individual motivation it
appears differently.
What, after all, beyond offering example, can we do? Freedom and rights do not
always propel us in the right direction.
Perhaps more cogently, do we even care? Some do; but enough? Apparently not, or
at least not yet. And then, what is it they care about?
FANTASY
I just finished reading three articles that made me thoughtful.
One discussed how the collection of comic books was far more
lucrative than most available alternatives, with exceptions, that is,
of, say rich spouses. Another examined the wild popularity, in
terms of coverage at least, of Anna Nichole Smith, or at least her
recent demise. The final one was a discussion of the new
phenomenon, The Secret, (explained in a recent best-selling book
by that name) the embrace of which allows anyone to do or be
whatever they wish to do or be through acceptance of the power of
the law of attraction.
My purpose is not to rehash the articles but to ask the question,
who are we that gravitate in such a direction? What is it that we
seek? What have we become? In what direction do these articles
– and similar – project us? For there is a thread of consistency
here that can be neither ignored nor refuted. At least so I would
contend.
And what direction might that be? In a word I would suggest
fantasy. What’s important? Romantic fiction? Could anyone in
their wildest dreams have forecast that J.K. Rowling would
become a billionaire with Harry Potter? How about The Lord of the
Rings? Star Wars? Danielle Steel, Anne Rich, D.N. Simmons,
Anne Bancroft? The list is endless. And if it becomes a
blockbuster movie, wow! They still pack ‘em into the movie
theaters, and then sell or rent the DVD.
But that’s only the tip of the ice burg. Fantasy R US. One third
of our young adults, in a recent poll, expressed confidence that they
will be famous within their life times, and who could doubt it with
American Idol capturing our……..what? Interest? Try fantasy.
Then there’s the other end of it: money; big money. Money
Magazine’s cover story for April 2007 was “Retire Early, Reach
Financial Freedom Sooner Than You Ever Dreamed,” with a
special report on “20 Brilliant Second Careers,” brilliant second
careers no less. And of course one can’t talk about money without
mentioning professional athletes. What successful high school
football, baseball or basketball player doesn’t dream – with some
confidence – of making it big in the pros? Fantasy!
Marx said it was all about money; Bertrand Russell disagreed
– at least beyond a point – suggesting that it was more about
glory. But the two go hand in hand as it’s difficult to find glory
without money, or at least glory is fleeting if money doesn’t follow.
There can be little question that the two, money and glory, hold
sway in our culture at this period in our history. More than has
always been the case? I contend yes. Why? For two reasons; the
first is that there is more of it – for us – and a large segment of our
population, larger than any other, expects to have it and enjoy it.
And second because of our access to and domination by mass
media propaganda: primarily television. Fantasy, money, fame
and the good life; TV (and its advertisers) sell it, big time. As well
as all modes of entertainment, which of course is fantasy. And that’
s who we have become, and want to be, expect to be – demand to
be. For we deserve it, don’t we?
I just finished reading three articles that made me thoughtful.
One discussed how the collection of comic books was far more
lucrative than most available alternatives, with exceptions, that is,
of, say rich spouses. Another examined the wild popularity, in
terms of coverage at least, of Anna Nichole Smith, or at least her
recent demise. The final one was a discussion of the new
phenomenon, The Secret, (explained in a recent best-selling book
by that name) the embrace of which allows anyone to do or be
whatever they wish to do or be through acceptance of the power of
the law of attraction.
My purpose is not to rehash the articles but to ask the question,
who are we that gravitate in such a direction? What is it that we
seek? What have we become? In what direction do these articles
– and similar – project us? For there is a thread of consistency
here that can be neither ignored nor refuted. At least so I would
contend.
And what direction might that be? In a word I would suggest
fantasy. What’s important? Romantic fiction? Could anyone in
their wildest dreams have forecast that J.K. Rowling would
become a billionaire with Harry Potter? How about The Lord of the
Rings? Star Wars? Danielle Steel, Anne Rich, D.N. Simmons,
Anne Bancroft? The list is endless. And if it becomes a
blockbuster movie, wow! They still pack ‘em into the movie
theaters, and then sell or rent the DVD.
But that’s only the tip of the ice burg. Fantasy R US. One third
of our young adults, in a recent poll, expressed confidence that they
will be famous within their life times, and who could doubt it with
American Idol capturing our……..what? Interest? Try fantasy.
Then there’s the other end of it: money; big money. Money
Magazine’s cover story for April 2007 was “Retire Early, Reach
Financial Freedom Sooner Than You Ever Dreamed,” with a
special report on “20 Brilliant Second Careers,” brilliant second
careers no less. And of course one can’t talk about money without
mentioning professional athletes. What successful high school
football, baseball or basketball player doesn’t dream – with some
confidence – of making it big in the pros? Fantasy!
Marx said it was all about money; Bertrand Russell disagreed
– at least beyond a point – suggesting that it was more about
glory. But the two go hand in hand as it’s difficult to find glory
without money, or at least glory is fleeting if money doesn’t follow.
There can be little question that the two, money and glory, hold
sway in our culture at this period in our history. More than has
always been the case? I contend yes. Why? For two reasons; the
first is that there is more of it – for us – and a large segment of our
population, larger than any other, expects to have it and enjoy it.
And second because of our access to and domination by mass
media propaganda: primarily television. Fantasy, money, fame
and the good life; TV (and its advertisers) sell it, big time. As well
as all modes of entertainment, which of course is fantasy. And that’
s who we have become, and want to be, expect to be – demand to
be. For we deserve it, don’t we?
COMPROMISE AIN'T SEXY
And sexy sells. But so does controversy. A columnist
invited to be a part of a PBS’s Firing Line panel was told
emphatically he was expected to mix it up more, interrupt
fellow panelists and stir things up, because that was what the
audience expected and appreciated.
Politicians have found the same. Thoughtful compromise
of issues does not get voters’ juices running; strong stands
on emotional issues apparently do, and for that reason both
major parties seem to lean toward their radical fringes to
capture votes. And capturing votes is what political parties are
all about these days, not issues, at least not addressing
issues for the good of the Republic. One cannot but help
lamenting the demise of informed discussion, and that
demise extends far beyond politics, and partly for the same
reasons, but also partly because informed discussion
necessitates being informed. Spewing raw emotion seems
more popular these days, and raw emotion requires little
knowledge and even less presentation ability.
There are debatable positions within all the major issues
today: the war against terrorism and in Iraq, education,
abortion, government spending and corruption, global
warming and the rich and famous of Hollywood. But instead of
debate – informed discussion – all we get is high intensity
blasts of propagandized emotion from myopic defenders of
the conservative right and liberal left, seeking to blow us over
with sensational hype. Nowhere in all of this does there seem
to be much consideration for the long term good of the
Republic, if there is even understanding of what that might be,
and any attempt to address compromise is either ignored or
condemned as wishy-washy flip-flop.
Yet the entire basis of a democratic republic is
compromise of differences, rule of majority tempered by
respect for rights of the minority. It hasn’t been very pretty in
the United States, but it has enabled us to get through over
200 years since the inception of our Constitution. A case
could be made that we are moving away from those precepts
and entering a new and destructive era of disintegration of the
very culture that has carried us to this point.
That would be unfortunate, however, because the vitality of
that culture and the unique qualities that have made it work are
critical to our continued success. More and more are
beginning to notice the inconsistencies between what we
espouse and what we are becoming, with an increasing
number of voices being raised disparaging the selfish
hedonism in which we seem to be drowning. There is, after
all, a vast middle that doesn’t buy the ranting of extremists
toward which those voices are being directed. We in the
middle are becoming disgusted with those who insist their
radical and uncompromising views are the only ones, and
must be accepted or else.
More and more of us are becoming tired of their, and the
media’s, simplistic sound bite propaganda. We are fed up
with the swagger of their elitist posturing. We are sick and
tired of their profligate self-serving wasteful corruption. And we
are unwilling to see our youth continue to be dragged into the
emotional quagmire of entitled self absorption. Can a case be
made that the pendulum is beginning to swing in the other
direction? That, after all, is exactly what one would expect from
a culture in which the voice of the people still has a place – if
those people are still knowledgeable, thoughtful enough and
have enough vision to really understand what is good for the
Republic. We can only hope that is the case.
And sexy sells. But so does controversy. A columnist
invited to be a part of a PBS’s Firing Line panel was told
emphatically he was expected to mix it up more, interrupt
fellow panelists and stir things up, because that was what the
audience expected and appreciated.
Politicians have found the same. Thoughtful compromise
of issues does not get voters’ juices running; strong stands
on emotional issues apparently do, and for that reason both
major parties seem to lean toward their radical fringes to
capture votes. And capturing votes is what political parties are
all about these days, not issues, at least not addressing
issues for the good of the Republic. One cannot but help
lamenting the demise of informed discussion, and that
demise extends far beyond politics, and partly for the same
reasons, but also partly because informed discussion
necessitates being informed. Spewing raw emotion seems
more popular these days, and raw emotion requires little
knowledge and even less presentation ability.
There are debatable positions within all the major issues
today: the war against terrorism and in Iraq, education,
abortion, government spending and corruption, global
warming and the rich and famous of Hollywood. But instead of
debate – informed discussion – all we get is high intensity
blasts of propagandized emotion from myopic defenders of
the conservative right and liberal left, seeking to blow us over
with sensational hype. Nowhere in all of this does there seem
to be much consideration for the long term good of the
Republic, if there is even understanding of what that might be,
and any attempt to address compromise is either ignored or
condemned as wishy-washy flip-flop.
Yet the entire basis of a democratic republic is
compromise of differences, rule of majority tempered by
respect for rights of the minority. It hasn’t been very pretty in
the United States, but it has enabled us to get through over
200 years since the inception of our Constitution. A case
could be made that we are moving away from those precepts
and entering a new and destructive era of disintegration of the
very culture that has carried us to this point.
That would be unfortunate, however, because the vitality of
that culture and the unique qualities that have made it work are
critical to our continued success. More and more are
beginning to notice the inconsistencies between what we
espouse and what we are becoming, with an increasing
number of voices being raised disparaging the selfish
hedonism in which we seem to be drowning. There is, after
all, a vast middle that doesn’t buy the ranting of extremists
toward which those voices are being directed. We in the
middle are becoming disgusted with those who insist their
radical and uncompromising views are the only ones, and
must be accepted or else.
More and more of us are becoming tired of their, and the
media’s, simplistic sound bite propaganda. We are fed up
with the swagger of their elitist posturing. We are sick and
tired of their profligate self-serving wasteful corruption. And we
are unwilling to see our youth continue to be dragged into the
emotional quagmire of entitled self absorption. Can a case be
made that the pendulum is beginning to swing in the other
direction? That, after all, is exactly what one would expect from
a culture in which the voice of the people still has a place – if
those people are still knowledgeable, thoughtful enough and
have enough vision to really understand what is good for the
Republic. We can only hope that is the case.
Our New Culture?
SPRING BREAK!
AND LUXURY EVERYWHERE!!
Luxury is not new - its ubiquitous proliferation is; the world now
has a thousand BILLIONAIRES.
To want it is not new - to EXPECT IT is. 25% of young people expect to
experience fame within their lifetimes. Fame = RICH.
What do you want to be when you grow up? RICH!!
Motivational greed can be a positive force. Obsessive greed
destroys.
Expectation of distribution of wealth earned by another eats the
core out of it; for then who creates the wealth for distribution?
has a thousand BILLIONAIRES.
To want it is not new - to EXPECT IT is. 25% of young people expect to
experience fame within their lifetimes. Fame = RICH.
What do you want to be when you grow up? RICH!!
Motivational greed can be a positive force. Obsessive greed
destroys.
Expectation of distribution of wealth earned by another eats the
core out of it; for then who creates the wealth for distribution?
Cultural Reality Check
What is visually depicted above is a combination of entertainment and materialism. Is that culture? Yes and no.
So how much of my “cultural” put-down is real and how much of it is the ranting of an aging dinosaur being left behind
the changing times? That is neither a rhetorical question nor a lead-in to a high decibel diatribe; it is a real question.
After my diatribes I ask myself continually how much is real and how much is my inability to meld with today’s passing
cultural mores – and the oh so familiar complaints of over the hill generation.
I think entertainment today is wretched. The music is loud and generally non-melodic. The dress is disgusting. The
constant flaunting of sex is obnoxious. Manners go from atrocious to non-existent. The “cool” look (do they still use
that word?) of scruffy, tattooed, sloppy and (for the men) needing a shave and a haircut – and more than likely a bath.
The women mostly dress to look like hookers. And I lump professional sports in the same pile.
So, get over it; this too shall pass. Does it really matter? Every age has had their foibles, their ways of being
different, rebellion against the norms of their elders – of their culture. They’ll outgrow it when they have families and
have to earn a living. It’s passing fad. Laugh and move on. I take things too seriously – and think too much about
things that should just be ignored. After all, is this really representative of our culture? Look around the
neighborhoods – is this really what we see? Is this the way people are? Or are most pretty much the same as most
of us, fairly conservative, mostly just concerned with getting along? After all, the Height Asbury hippies came and went
and communes, mostly over hyped anomalies, disappeared after they had run their course. If I don’t like the current
entertainment scene, stay home. And if I can’t find what I want, too bad, there is probably no longer a market for it –
whatever it might be. And if there is a market it’s likely a niche market, so go out and find it – if I care all that much
about it. Case closed: go hide under a log but don’t bother the rest of us about it, particularly the young and hip
(another likely archaic word).
I would half accept that, grudgingly, if I didn’t see dire portent behind it, if I didn’t see it as reflective of more serious
fissures. Behind the blatant sexuality I see deterioration of families; behind the materialism I see lack of priorities and
growth of unreasonable expectation; behind the slovenliness I see deterioration of – well, civilization. The bad
music? Poor taste. But I also see selfishness and indifference; more than in the past? Maybe not, really, when I
think about it over historical time. How about sliding work ethics and declining morality (honesty, reliability,
sincerity)? Oh, and how about self put down? Not individually, but culturally - of the institutions that have made us
what we are. I look around and see attitudes, attitudes that reflect lack of discipline, lack of caring, lack of respecting
anything but self. That is what I see as the real cultural deterioration - the rest is indication of it.
This I see, and I accept that I might be over emphasizing it, seeing some things that have always been there and
likely always will, but in the process particularly blaming the entertainment cult overly much - the symptom rather than
the cause. So what is the verdict? Of course it is still out, but I shall continue to worry nonetheless – and probably be
overcritical to the point of irritation with those who see things differently – though I will continue to attempt to examine
my views - critically. We shall see, we shall see; or more accurately you will, as I shall not be around to witness the
ultimate results.
Bless you my children.
What is visually depicted above is a combination of entertainment and materialism. Is that culture? Yes and no.
So how much of my “cultural” put-down is real and how much of it is the ranting of an aging dinosaur being left behind
the changing times? That is neither a rhetorical question nor a lead-in to a high decibel diatribe; it is a real question.
After my diatribes I ask myself continually how much is real and how much is my inability to meld with today’s passing
cultural mores – and the oh so familiar complaints of over the hill generation.
I think entertainment today is wretched. The music is loud and generally non-melodic. The dress is disgusting. The
constant flaunting of sex is obnoxious. Manners go from atrocious to non-existent. The “cool” look (do they still use
that word?) of scruffy, tattooed, sloppy and (for the men) needing a shave and a haircut – and more than likely a bath.
The women mostly dress to look like hookers. And I lump professional sports in the same pile.
So, get over it; this too shall pass. Does it really matter? Every age has had their foibles, their ways of being
different, rebellion against the norms of their elders – of their culture. They’ll outgrow it when they have families and
have to earn a living. It’s passing fad. Laugh and move on. I take things too seriously – and think too much about
things that should just be ignored. After all, is this really representative of our culture? Look around the
neighborhoods – is this really what we see? Is this the way people are? Or are most pretty much the same as most
of us, fairly conservative, mostly just concerned with getting along? After all, the Height Asbury hippies came and went
and communes, mostly over hyped anomalies, disappeared after they had run their course. If I don’t like the current
entertainment scene, stay home. And if I can’t find what I want, too bad, there is probably no longer a market for it –
whatever it might be. And if there is a market it’s likely a niche market, so go out and find it – if I care all that much
about it. Case closed: go hide under a log but don’t bother the rest of us about it, particularly the young and hip
(another likely archaic word).
I would half accept that, grudgingly, if I didn’t see dire portent behind it, if I didn’t see it as reflective of more serious
fissures. Behind the blatant sexuality I see deterioration of families; behind the materialism I see lack of priorities and
growth of unreasonable expectation; behind the slovenliness I see deterioration of – well, civilization. The bad
music? Poor taste. But I also see selfishness and indifference; more than in the past? Maybe not, really, when I
think about it over historical time. How about sliding work ethics and declining morality (honesty, reliability,
sincerity)? Oh, and how about self put down? Not individually, but culturally - of the institutions that have made us
what we are. I look around and see attitudes, attitudes that reflect lack of discipline, lack of caring, lack of respecting
anything but self. That is what I see as the real cultural deterioration - the rest is indication of it.
This I see, and I accept that I might be over emphasizing it, seeing some things that have always been there and
likely always will, but in the process particularly blaming the entertainment cult overly much - the symptom rather than
the cause. So what is the verdict? Of course it is still out, but I shall continue to worry nonetheless – and probably be
overcritical to the point of irritation with those who see things differently – though I will continue to attempt to examine
my views - critically. We shall see, we shall see; or more accurately you will, as I shall not be around to witness the
ultimate results.
Bless you my children.
Cultural Underminers
I have concluded the undermining of our culture comes from two
primary sources: the menows and the revolutionaries; both have
socialist tendencies. But the menows don't really care where it comes
from as long as they get theirs; the revolutionaries want to make sure
our existing culture is torn down, while they are getting theirs.
Too simple? Of course. But think about it.
I have concluded the undermining of our culture comes from two
primary sources: the menows and the revolutionaries; both have
socialist tendencies. But the menows don't really care where it comes
from as long as they get theirs; the revolutionaries want to make sure
our existing culture is torn down, while they are getting theirs.
Too simple? Of course. But think about it.
New Culture
So after all the chatter, cartoons and icons, what constitutes this new culture that make it different from the "old
culture," or original culture about which i carry on so much (see Avoiding Armageddon - yeah, right). Allow me:
1. Television
This is the big one, not necessarily because of what it is, or what it has become, as to what it provides: instant and
pervasive entertainment and what that has come to include.
Entertainment of course is the first ingredient - ala Brave New World - a way of life.
But more, a media for propaganda - incessant propaganda: commercial, political, and cultural. It has become
what we are, what we do, and what we think -and what we must have.
It has also become what shapes us and our outlook on life, dominates us and keeps us company, to the
exclusion of having to think, providing us, as it does, a window to and proclivity toward opening a world of fantasy - and
unreality. It also, incidentally, convinces us that reading is no longer necessary - or at least that we no longer have
time for it, to our detriment.
2. To say that all the rest derives from this may be a little much, but it (electronic communications) certainly has
opened the window to a vast increase of information and communication
Cell phones? One in ten drivers (US News and World Report, January 2008) are on cell telephones. Teen agers
live on them. They dominate lives, secure them through instant communication, and endanger them because of use
on highways.
They provide us constant communication without the benefit of REAL communication; we babble but do not really
communicate.
3. Computers
They have replaced the art of research by providing instant information about which one needs not think. They
have also provided a magnificent platform for plagiarism while at the same time providing incredibly more information
- both true and false - than we can possibly assimilate - that's not all bad, but it's certainly challenging.
It has also created a wildly popular social vehicle that allows young people more continual communication, a
vehicle to meet new people, and an environment in which hey can spill their guts - about anything and everything,
particularly anything that in times past would be personal and private.
Computer games? Oh my, computer games: constant entertainment. That is, something to keep one busy
without too much thinking or commitment.
4. The above may not be bad in and of themselves, but they have created significant change in the way we look at
things - our culture. This is what is important and concerning.
The simplest way of explaining it is as expectation: we have created several generations that have high
expectation - not because of what they do but because of what society owes them.
Education suffers from this. We continually rail at the deterioration of the education process but seldom point
to the cause. To say it is television is too simplistic, but television is part of it: expectation. Students expect to be
entertained as they have always been with television - without effort on their parts.
Deportment is also affected by television - kids get away with murder and it's cute. Again, see the discussion
in Avoiding Armageddon; it's too much to be covered here.
5. The rest is more convoluted, and perhaps controversial; the opinions here are mine.
Political correctness, I believe, is a result of a different way of thinking: diversity, muli-culturalism, relativism,
deteriorating toleration for dissenting views and a resulting increase in contentious views. I blame this significantly
on the views propagated by television. Againt, too simplistic? Maybe so, but from where else do they come? Clearly
it is iterative and what it comes down to is what kids are being taught - in schools, from television and from parents
that have undergone the same experience; the principles that have carried us to where we have come are being
watered down, put down and rejected. Look at the deterioration of families and morality. Look at the
commercialization of sexuality - does advertising (particularly television advertising) not play a significant part? Added
to all this is a tendency of government at all levels, that seeing the problems, will not deal with causes, attempting
instead to regulate them, while encouraging voters to dwell on their inalienable rights. Fareed Zakaria (The Future of
Freedom): we have too many rights and not enough freedom.
Increasing self centered entitlement - based on greed - is a natural result. Greed is not new, nor is entitlement,
but the number of those who expect has increased exponentially as has the scope of their expectations. This,
coupled with a fixation on being entertained and coddled has got to be a matter of concern as it appears to be
generating decreased levels of industry and responsibility.
6. Resource challenges on the other hand are beginning to affect our new culture: oil at the forefront, but also water
and that's just the start; think about over fishing for example. Our population pressures are taxing resources. They
are also creating congestion. All of which conflict with the cry for more, more, more and don't try and stop me.
Immigration is part of that problem; they want it too so they come here to get it, however they can, and we allow it to
happen without regard to consequences. Terrorists, of course, capitalize on all of it, again, however they can, for
ideological reasons as well as resentment. And what happens when population peaks and the continually growing
cornucopia flattens out? That will be the next challenge; and how will it drive further - and probably unwelcome -
change?
7. Finally I consider our response to all this inadequate and potentially destructive. We attack effect not cause, partly
because in a voter driven environment politicians shy away from anything that might upset voters. The ultimate
response appears to be a socialism that has failed wherever it has been tried. Robbing from (and in the process
disincentivizing the rich to satisfy the more numerous poor has never worked, nor has attacking the engine that has
brought us success: free enterprise. Not that the rich and free enterprise can be excluded from contributing, but the
balance is tenuous. Currently the only way we have been able to continue our prosperous ways has been through
foreign investment; and why do they invest in us? But how long will it continue? And when it slows down or ceases,
what then?
8. The above summarises much of what I covered in Avoiding Armageddon, in a very sketchy and inadequate way,
but I felt the need to expand on the icons of what I have called our new culture above. My sister attempted the book
and suggested a summary article might prove more palatable - I don't agree because it leaves out too much and is
too simplistic. I have addressed simplistic elsewhere, as I have ignorance. Along with many, many other things that
are probably equally mind numbing. But that is what I do.
And I call where we need to be heading The Middle Ground, and we come full circle to the purpose of this Web Site.
So after all the chatter, cartoons and icons, what constitutes this new culture that make it different from the "old
culture," or original culture about which i carry on so much (see Avoiding Armageddon - yeah, right). Allow me:
1. Television
This is the big one, not necessarily because of what it is, or what it has become, as to what it provides: instant and
pervasive entertainment and what that has come to include.
Entertainment of course is the first ingredient - ala Brave New World - a way of life.
But more, a media for propaganda - incessant propaganda: commercial, political, and cultural. It has become
what we are, what we do, and what we think -and what we must have.
It has also become what shapes us and our outlook on life, dominates us and keeps us company, to the
exclusion of having to think, providing us, as it does, a window to and proclivity toward opening a world of fantasy - and
unreality. It also, incidentally, convinces us that reading is no longer necessary - or at least that we no longer have
time for it, to our detriment.
2. To say that all the rest derives from this may be a little much, but it (electronic communications) certainly has
opened the window to a vast increase of information and communication
Cell phones? One in ten drivers (US News and World Report, January 2008) are on cell telephones. Teen agers
live on them. They dominate lives, secure them through instant communication, and endanger them because of use
on highways.
They provide us constant communication without the benefit of REAL communication; we babble but do not really
communicate.
3. Computers
They have replaced the art of research by providing instant information about which one needs not think. They
have also provided a magnificent platform for plagiarism while at the same time providing incredibly more information
- both true and false - than we can possibly assimilate - that's not all bad, but it's certainly challenging.
It has also created a wildly popular social vehicle that allows young people more continual communication, a
vehicle to meet new people, and an environment in which hey can spill their guts - about anything and everything,
particularly anything that in times past would be personal and private.
Computer games? Oh my, computer games: constant entertainment. That is, something to keep one busy
without too much thinking or commitment.
4. The above may not be bad in and of themselves, but they have created significant change in the way we look at
things - our culture. This is what is important and concerning.
The simplest way of explaining it is as expectation: we have created several generations that have high
expectation - not because of what they do but because of what society owes them.
Education suffers from this. We continually rail at the deterioration of the education process but seldom point
to the cause. To say it is television is too simplistic, but television is part of it: expectation. Students expect to be
entertained as they have always been with television - without effort on their parts.
Deportment is also affected by television - kids get away with murder and it's cute. Again, see the discussion
in Avoiding Armageddon; it's too much to be covered here.
5. The rest is more convoluted, and perhaps controversial; the opinions here are mine.
Political correctness, I believe, is a result of a different way of thinking: diversity, muli-culturalism, relativism,
deteriorating toleration for dissenting views and a resulting increase in contentious views. I blame this significantly
on the views propagated by television. Againt, too simplistic? Maybe so, but from where else do they come? Clearly
it is iterative and what it comes down to is what kids are being taught - in schools, from television and from parents
that have undergone the same experience; the principles that have carried us to where we have come are being
watered down, put down and rejected. Look at the deterioration of families and morality. Look at the
commercialization of sexuality - does advertising (particularly television advertising) not play a significant part? Added
to all this is a tendency of government at all levels, that seeing the problems, will not deal with causes, attempting
instead to regulate them, while encouraging voters to dwell on their inalienable rights. Fareed Zakaria (The Future of
Freedom): we have too many rights and not enough freedom.
Increasing self centered entitlement - based on greed - is a natural result. Greed is not new, nor is entitlement,
but the number of those who expect has increased exponentially as has the scope of their expectations. This,
coupled with a fixation on being entertained and coddled has got to be a matter of concern as it appears to be
generating decreased levels of industry and responsibility.
6. Resource challenges on the other hand are beginning to affect our new culture: oil at the forefront, but also water
and that's just the start; think about over fishing for example. Our population pressures are taxing resources. They
are also creating congestion. All of which conflict with the cry for more, more, more and don't try and stop me.
Immigration is part of that problem; they want it too so they come here to get it, however they can, and we allow it to
happen without regard to consequences. Terrorists, of course, capitalize on all of it, again, however they can, for
ideological reasons as well as resentment. And what happens when population peaks and the continually growing
cornucopia flattens out? That will be the next challenge; and how will it drive further - and probably unwelcome -
change?
7. Finally I consider our response to all this inadequate and potentially destructive. We attack effect not cause, partly
because in a voter driven environment politicians shy away from anything that might upset voters. The ultimate
response appears to be a socialism that has failed wherever it has been tried. Robbing from (and in the process
disincentivizing the rich to satisfy the more numerous poor has never worked, nor has attacking the engine that has
brought us success: free enterprise. Not that the rich and free enterprise can be excluded from contributing, but the
balance is tenuous. Currently the only way we have been able to continue our prosperous ways has been through
foreign investment; and why do they invest in us? But how long will it continue? And when it slows down or ceases,
what then?
8. The above summarises much of what I covered in Avoiding Armageddon, in a very sketchy and inadequate way,
but I felt the need to expand on the icons of what I have called our new culture above. My sister attempted the book
and suggested a summary article might prove more palatable - I don't agree because it leaves out too much and is
too simplistic. I have addressed simplistic elsewhere, as I have ignorance. Along with many, many other things that
are probably equally mind numbing. But that is what I do.
And I call where we need to be heading The Middle Ground, and we come full circle to the purpose of this Web Site.
THE MCMANSION CULTURE
ENTITLEMENT
ENTITLEMENT
ENTITLEMENT
ENTITLEMENT
| And still? What next? Oh woe. It ain't over yet, not by a long shot! |
| Then: Alfred E. Neuman MAD MAGAZINE |
| Now: The Emperor Ollahbamabongbong I The First American Idol Emperor |
Disrespectful? Probably. But what culture but the American entertainment culture could select an untried, inexperienced, naive,
ultra-liberal community organizer for its leader merely because he murmured sweet platitudes of hope and brotherhood in such a way as
to make the people feel good? Change! To what? It doesn't matter; change for the sake of change. Did we read Jonah Goldberg's book,
Liberal Fascism? Of course not; it was written by a Conservative, and who pays attention to them? We should read; we should pay
attention; and we should ponder. It couldn't happen here; never again!
Democratic politics depends on many things, perhaps primary among them economics. It's the economy, stupid (Clinton election
campaign). What does this man know about economics? And who are his advisors? Socialism (the philosophy, not classic state
ownership of the means of production) has failed everywhere it has been tried; but we are smarter (former Secretary of Labor Robert
Reich). And we are bound to "spread the wealth" (Obama) in ways that we can still have it all - each and every one (unless they are rich).
The combination of arrogance, charisma, blind adulation, Chicago community organizer liberalism, and naiveté pose a matter of
concern. Beware.
ultra-liberal community organizer for its leader merely because he murmured sweet platitudes of hope and brotherhood in such a way as
to make the people feel good? Change! To what? It doesn't matter; change for the sake of change. Did we read Jonah Goldberg's book,
Liberal Fascism? Of course not; it was written by a Conservative, and who pays attention to them? We should read; we should pay
attention; and we should ponder. It couldn't happen here; never again!
Democratic politics depends on many things, perhaps primary among them economics. It's the economy, stupid (Clinton election
campaign). What does this man know about economics? And who are his advisors? Socialism (the philosophy, not classic state
ownership of the means of production) has failed everywhere it has been tried; but we are smarter (former Secretary of Labor Robert
Reich). And we are bound to "spread the wealth" (Obama) in ways that we can still have it all - each and every one (unless they are rich).
The combination of arrogance, charisma, blind adulation, Chicago community organizer liberalism, and naiveté pose a matter of
concern. Beware.
| The Entertainment Culture, in all its blind, adoring wisdom, has spoken; it and they would condemn me for questioning. It is their way, and I worry about it and all its ramifications. And I am wrong to do so? |
There really are two Americas, and its radical fringes are both wrong, and dangerous to that which our nation
has always stood for. The Middle is being drawn to the extreme fringes, to our possibly long run destruction, unless
we are very, very careful. Currently the balance is being shifted strongly left, a possible tipping point in a long trending
slide. There is still a rough balance on the individual level, but on the electoral college level less so, as urbanization
has driven the tip. Where from here?
has always stood for. The Middle is being drawn to the extreme fringes, to our possibly long run destruction, unless
we are very, very careful. Currently the balance is being shifted strongly left, a possible tipping point in a long trending
slide. There is still a rough balance on the individual level, but on the electoral college level less so, as urbanization
has driven the tip. Where from here?
And suddenly we know who that new drummer is and we are also
beginning to understand the drumbeat It has been a long time
coming, but the trend has been unmistakable: liberalism and
entertainment; adult diapers for sure.
beginning to understand the drumbeat It has been a long time
coming, but the trend has been unmistakable: liberalism and
entertainment; adult diapers for sure.
Wealth
First to have to have it by creating it.
Then insisting on its being distributed
from creator to all - equally, surely.
Truly, the greed is what is shared by all,
and the more total wealth, the more total
greed. And the more expectation. We are
now all in it together, and seem to want to
share in its ultimate destruction, although
that is what we do not understand. But we
will.
Perhaps that is what "hope" is: one big
silly television SITCOM. The check is in the
mail, and the TV is on.
First to have to have it by creating it.
Then insisting on its being distributed
from creator to all - equally, surely.
Truly, the greed is what is shared by all,
and the more total wealth, the more total
greed. And the more expectation. We are
now all in it together, and seem to want to
share in its ultimate destruction, although
that is what we do not understand. But we
will.
Perhaps that is what "hope" is: one big
silly television SITCOM. The check is in the
mail, and the TV is on.