I really just wanted to talk about society.
I think our elected officials are nothing more than extension of us.
So when you see the most ridiculous displays of humanity rise and become our leaders, it is important to acknowledge we are simply looking in a mirror.
You know, I personally think it stems from unwillingness to say things are wrong and unacceptable. At some point being judgmental and intolerant of certain behaviors and thoughts has become impermissible.
So we can no longer call the dregs of society exactly what they are, we cannot judge crude behavior and we can not have a social standard...because if we do, we are somehow backward thinking and intolerant dolts. And this is what we get when we refuse to call a spade a spade.
We need more shame not less.
BINGO!!!!!!!! Thank you for this. I'll expand it further.
As the saying goes, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.â€
Look at what's on TV today. Look at what's acceptable video gaming. Half the shows on cable TV involve people being gluttonous, uncivil toward each other, or worse, extremely violent.
Personally, I can't take it. As cheesy as it is, I enjoy watching Jeopardy (for intellectual stimulation), Full House (for family fun), and Star Trek (for in depth examination of the human condition). I like playing Dr. Mario on my Wii.
I think enough exposure to this culture has dulled most peoples' sensibilities. People are not shocked anymore. However, there is a thirst to continue to be shocked, so the limits are pushed again. Furthermore, I don't blame people for wanting to avoid confrontation. Some people are crazy. The internet is the perfect medium to avoid physical intervention in relative safety.
When will society have a second renaissance in which people can debate the finer points of public policy instead of exhuming scandalous gossip? When will charity means more than just throwing money at a problem? When will each of us do some deep introspection to improve upon one's flaws and try to correct them instead of doubling down on them?
Yes, the world is getting smaller and technology is changing society at warp speed. We all feel threatened. Perhaps this is the root of national and global anxiety being played out now.
Our parents and grandparents courageously tackled some grand problems of their era: Suffered through a depression and changed national economic policy, fought a world war, created a social safety net, pushed science by harnessing the power of the atom creating all kinds of new materials and going to the moon. Sure some went kicking a screaming but enough had the courage to do this. In the end it brought the country closer together. These were problems whose solutions we all now benefit from.
We, on the other hand, are only tackling very few issues. The country is a lot more brown and the workplace more feminine than it was 40 years ago. The advent of social media has many of the -isms of society being addressed at the moment: Sexism, racism, etc. Many are not happy about it since it now is shoved directly in their face and can't be ignored.
Could you imagine if Obama went on national TV tomorrow to announce that humans will be on Mars in 10 years? Could you imagine if states passed a $2T in bills to fix the nation's aging water infrastructure? Or Congress passed a civilian GI Bill in which 18 year olds would be forced to serve in a disaster relief corps or Americorps in exchange for free college if they choose? These are things we could all benefit from. They would be laughed out of the room. "We're broke" or some other slogan would be used to kick the can down the road because we might have to change our selfish and indulgent behavior that permeates our society.
