A few years ago I made a prediction that the worsening economy would generate a return to social conservatism, particularly in the sense of rejecting shallow forms of entertainment that numb people's minds to reality. Reality, I thought, would intrude and force people to take stock of their lives.
While this may have happened for a few out there, it certainly has not taken place on a grand scale. From what I can tell, the opposite has occurred as people cling to their entertainment more furiously than ever. The recent riots at Penn State over the dismissal of a football coach are merely one example, but a powerful one of how people prefer to risk their lives rather than their illusions. Hollywood continues churning out profitable sewage, and people continue spending obscene amounts of money on sports events, concerts, travel, and the like.
It's a form of self-medication or psychological survival I had underestimated. Perhaps this generation is too addicted to feeling good ever to mature; the hard work of salvage may have to fall to those who inherit this mess and have no recollection of the "good life."
While this may have happened for a few out there, it certainly has not taken place on a grand scale. From what I can tell, the opposite has occurred as people cling to their entertainment more furiously than ever. The recent riots at Penn State over the dismissal of a football coach are merely one example, but a powerful one of how people prefer to risk their lives rather than their illusions. Hollywood continues churning out profitable sewage, and people continue spending obscene amounts of money on sports events, concerts, travel, and the like.
It's a form of self-medication or psychological survival I had underestimated. Perhaps this generation is too addicted to feeling good ever to mature; the hard work of salvage may have to fall to those who inherit this mess and have no recollection of the "good life."
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