When assessing what passes for today’s cultural norms, it is hard to know whether to laugh or cry. The question before us is whether people are absolutely nuts or seriously redefining entertainment, as well as political and social norms. Despite what is happening in today’s society, I generally have faith in America and its people. It’s the folks who claim to lead us and know what is best for others that I find troubling, though frankly quite entertaining.
Let’s start with Thanksgiving shopping. We reached epic proportions of madness this past holiday season when Black Friday began on Thursday. Why anyone needs to shop at 3am is beyond me, but that’s what retailers tell us we wanted. I’m of the belief that little good happens after 2am, so why would anyone be looking for a new pillow or the latest video game at that ungodly hour? Need further evidence of the madness? How about a shopper in one store using pepper spray as the crowd control gadget of choice! I wonder if the store in question sold pepper spray? Who would even think to bring pepper spray into a store? And why, pray tell, are stores drastically under-stocked, causing people to fight for sale items? And isn’t the whole idea behind gift giving to inspire peace on earth and good will towards man? I guess the meek will inherit the earth only after the ninja consumers are through with it.
As for anyone looking to inherit the earth or perhaps a park, look no further than those marching under the banner of Occupy Wall Street. I walked down to Zuccatti Park a few weeks before the park was cleaned out and, aside from being quite underwhelmed, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for the ’60s. Full disclosure: The first amendment is my personal favorite. Granted, I started kindergarten in the very late ’60s so all I really know about this time is what I learned about them in the ’70s, but the protests seemed rather fun. But the poor folks of Occupy Wall Street don’t seem to be making quite the same impact as their brethren of the ’60s. While they relish their poverty, they seem to lack any clear indication as to what they actually want. Sure, they disrupt the life of men and women going to and from work, but they fail to really annoy or get the attention of the so-called 1 percent, which makes the protests particularly awkward.
As far as I can tell, the Occupy Wall Street protestors question wealth-creation and dislike material achievement. Be that as it may, I was hoping for some creativity from this group. Where is the music and eloquence that the ’60s gave us? I think of Blowing in the Wind when I think of the war protestors of the ’60s, but I’m thinking Gimme Shelter might be the anthem for the Occupiers. There’s another big difference: The protests from the ’60s gave rise to great leaders and ideas; today’s protesters have no leaders and no clear message.
It’s no wonder the message is muddled in today’s society; there is no expectation of coherent expression. Heck, just tune into CSPAN or any political television advertisement to see what I mean. Today’s lessons on social commenting are lost on the cable TV generation where the loudest voice (or drummer if you’re “occupying” something) wins the argument. Tweeting, talk radio and distortions from the left and right have reduced intellectual discourse in our country. To make the point, here’s a quick quiz: Who said, “We need a leader not a reader”: A) the president of the illiterate society; B) a candidate for the United States presidency or C) a character portraying the fictional US president in the Simpson’s movie. If you said, all of the above, that would be acceptable. I always thought reading well aided in leading well. Thanks to the Kindle and the Nook, book burning thankfully is far too complicated these days.
Ronald S. Bergamini shares his wry outlook on life in the BC ’burbs. He can be reached at ronb@actioncarting.com.
