Camelot and the Cult of Cool as the world circled the drain

by Terry 15 Replies latest social current

• 

  BizzyBee

  I read Terry's post as a comparison of what he recalls from day's gone by, with what he sees now.

  Yes, I get that. I was commenting on the fact that the way we get information now is different and part of the problem Terry describes.

  And responding to this:

  Today, people spout canned talking points and use red herrings of ageism and racism to barge through the pretense of having a legitimate idea.

  And I sensed a little despair in that, which I, too, feel. And the antidote is to read something with more depth and breadth, which I believe can only be found in actual books - not blogs, not articles, not snippets.

  Fact is, you can tell when people get their info from the talking heads at FOX, or Limbaugh or Beck - it's all lockstep.

  Anyway, my apologies to Terry - I know he is a great reader and, I believe, autodidact, as am I.
• 

  Terry

  Old Terry needs no apology, BB. But, thank you.

  Having now reached the age of 66 I find myself sometimes sitting in one of the local cafes eating breakfast where nothing but Senior Citizens show up

  and masticate the gristle of a morning pork chop. I can't help but listen to the volcanic magma fulminating out the mouths of the old men. Apparently we have opinions on everything! And those opinions mostly consist of how stupid politicians are!

  I have to wonder how any young person could listen to five minutes of this without checking the Yellow Pages for a euthanasia counselor for Grandpa!

  I have to watch myself, too. When I'm around my grandkids I make it a point to be 100% positive in my choice of subject matter and attitude.

  I don't want to end up with Watchtower Syndrome. What is that? Only seeing the world in terms of disaster and signs of THE END!

  As long as I can remember older people have been lamenting how the world is going to hell in a handbasket. (And what exactly does that phrase actually mean??)

  I tend to see some very very positive changes in society since the 1950's!

  Women's Rights, Civil Rights, decline of smoking in restaurants and public places, free speech on the Internet (Oh wait--let me rethink THAT one!) and the

  increase in public awareness as to the need for exercise and a good diet.
• 

  JeffT

  Terry, I hear you about old people. I just turned 62 and I don't remotely feel old. However, I have to catch myself from time to time when I start going off about how things used to be.
• 

  edmond dantes

  When I was 18 or so years of age I hardly read the inside pages of the newsaper and very rarely paid any attention to the TV news unless Russian Missiles were Cuba bound or Kennedy hit the headlines etc.

  I seemed less concernend with politics and World events way back then, I was very interested in Elvis and Frank Sinatra perhaps it used to be a case of ignorence is bliss.
• 

  villagegirl

  Bizzy Bee - Terry LIVED through this era,

  he is an eye witness to this history -

  Terr's opinions and take on things are as valid

  as anyones you would read in a book,

  in fact his writing indicates he would write

  a very interesting and exciting to read book,

  on any subject . Why is there so much meanness here ?
• 

  Terry

  in fact his writing indicates he would write

  a very interesting and exciting to read book,

  on any subject .

  I am in the last stages of editing my book that I've been working on for at least 7 years. It will encompass all the things Jehovah's Witnesses

  experience from conversion to apostacy. I'm trying to make this book DIFFERENT from the usual rants. Style is important to me--without sacrificing

  substance. If it isn't presented "just right" it will end up in a dusty stack along with all the other apostate literature :)

  The problem with expressing an opinion which presents an opposite view to somebody else---is it requires a very dedicated willingness to embrace

  intellectual honesty. Are we willing to be wrong if the facts go against our cherished belief??? That is the real test of integrity for all of us.