I was reading the other day that even Scientific American has lost many loyal readers because it has been repurposed to transmit woke ideology rather than educate readers about science. The editor had a meltdown when Trump won and had to be replaced.
But this is the least of our problems: the rot is systemic and not confined to the media. German car makers are in the midst of mass layoffs, and strikes are rocking the country. They seem unable to fathom that the problem is not with management or Chinese imports but the 500% rise in electricity. They are unable to put two and two together.
They have voted in leaders who advocate going broke for the sake of virtue signaling. And yet somehow they are shocked by the outcome.
People seem unable to connect failed policies to the ensuing outcomes. As their standard of living declines, they attribute it to forces beyond their control. We have entered a new dark ages in which people do not comprehend their own interests. It almost seems to justify the corruption of our new crop of leaders. Audiences have become so polarized that if there was a professional neutral news organization, no one would tune in simply because it does not pander to their ideology. Viewers have become cheerleaders for their particular cause.
The really chilling question is not whether being woke has led to being broke --- but rather whether being woke is simply a ramification of a society in decline, i.e. it is not a cause but in effect. If this is the case, then there is nothing that can be done.
Aye, there's the rub! The demise of the GeezerMedia is essential, in that it is the primary tool for turning the masses into an unthinking polarized blob. Once they are out of the way, the process of educating (NOT "re-educating") folks can begin. Though it will take years, nay decades to reverse the damage of Woakism, I believe recent events have set folks to thinking again, and with plethora of new voices encouraging critical thought, we may actually have a light at the end of a very long, black tunnel. I ask myself, what did it feel like in the early days of the Renaissance? Are we there yet?
The midweek sermon-But we have hope in the new vision of the DOGE masters. They are going turn into the new lean mean puffing machine of efficiency run by Tesla robots! Just think, an AI to guide Drumpf and his reformers to victory for the Bumbleticks! MAGA is the real deal.
I have zero faith in anything of, by or for gummint, even when it's populated by benign oligarchs looking to deflate the agencies that are holding back their personal businesses and visions. Rather, my point is that the election results in the US have emboldened anti-globalist sentiment worldwide, and that's a good thing. Back in the old days, I loved going to countries when they had distinct social and cultural identities. The current cold, grey pablum of universal sameness sucks wind.
How did I miss this! So glad I found it this morning. Thank God for holidays when the world can stop turning long enough to go back and catch up on things we missed.
That's a beauty, alright. It shows the lineage of opera house to cinema as a conversion process, but also the social gentility of public events. Compared to the cold, angular monotony of modern cinemas, the old movie palaces are monuments to a time when society sought to uplift, rather than crush the soul.
I took my daughter to the premiere of "Braveheart" at the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle. It was a beautiful, sunny, and warm day. A bagpiper in a kilt entertained the people standing in line to get into the show.
My daughter and I had great seats on the front row of the balcony. The Fifth Avenue Theater is gorgeous. It is designed to look like the throne room of the Imperial Palace in Peking.
When I went to the lobby to go pee, I literally ran into Mel Gibson with his big black bodyguard. Mel is a short guy, maybe 5'9" tops.
Mel strode down the aisle from the lobby to the stage before the movie. As he walked, someone in the theater shouted, "Two men enter!" But no one replied, "One man leaves!"
Great movie.
As for the Bumbledicks, media, etc., I've changed the channel.
How cool is that? I've been a fan of Gibson since "Road Warrior". I really admire him for "Apocalupto". Not many folks willing to do a feature in Maya. Kudos for taking risks.
I miss the old movie palaces. Folks used to dress up and the front row balcony is by far the best seats. Takes me back to the days of real butter on popcorn, and sugar instead of corn syrup in the drinks. That experience will never come again.
Rufus, My daughter and I dressed up for "Braveheart." I saw the musical "Carousel" at the Fifth Avenue as well. Great old theater. "Apocalypto" is a great movie. With Gibson, there are no half measures.
Oh yes! That and doodads (leftover pie crust rolled up with cinnamon and sugar and baked). I would kill for toll house cookies now. Not only do I not have an oven here (wailing and gnashing of teeth), but walnuts are near impossible to buy here. Alas and alack!
There's a song I haven't heard in uncounted ages. Glad you liked the column. I was channelling my inner Vonnegut, though I cannot pretend to stand in the same air with him.
I was reading the other day that even Scientific American has lost many loyal readers because it has been repurposed to transmit woke ideology rather than educate readers about science. The editor had a meltdown when Trump won and had to be replaced.
But this is the least of our problems: the rot is systemic and not confined to the media. German car makers are in the midst of mass layoffs, and strikes are rocking the country. They seem unable to fathom that the problem is not with management or Chinese imports but the 500% rise in electricity. They are unable to put two and two together.
They have voted in leaders who advocate going broke for the sake of virtue signaling. And yet somehow they are shocked by the outcome.
People seem unable to connect failed policies to the ensuing outcomes. As their standard of living declines, they attribute it to forces beyond their control. We have entered a new dark ages in which people do not comprehend their own interests. It almost seems to justify the corruption of our new crop of leaders. Audiences have become so polarized that if there was a professional neutral news organization, no one would tune in simply because it does not pander to their ideology. Viewers have become cheerleaders for their particular cause.
The really chilling question is not whether being woke has led to being broke --- but rather whether being woke is simply a ramification of a society in decline, i.e. it is not a cause but in effect. If this is the case, then there is nothing that can be done.
Aye, there's the rub! The demise of the GeezerMedia is essential, in that it is the primary tool for turning the masses into an unthinking polarized blob. Once they are out of the way, the process of educating (NOT "re-educating") folks can begin. Though it will take years, nay decades to reverse the damage of Woakism, I believe recent events have set folks to thinking again, and with plethora of new voices encouraging critical thought, we may actually have a light at the end of a very long, black tunnel. I ask myself, what did it feel like in the early days of the Renaissance? Are we there yet?
Chris, Same thing happened with National Geographic magazine.
You are correct, T. It's everywhere. A revolution has taken place, for certain.
When they killed MAD and National Lampoon, I knew the glory days were over.
The midweek sermon-But we have hope in the new vision of the DOGE masters. They are going turn into the new lean mean puffing machine of efficiency run by Tesla robots! Just think, an AI to guide Drumpf and his reformers to victory for the Bumbleticks! MAGA is the real deal.
Don't get you hopes up too high
I have zero faith in anything of, by or for gummint, even when it's populated by benign oligarchs looking to deflate the agencies that are holding back their personal businesses and visions. Rather, my point is that the election results in the US have emboldened anti-globalist sentiment worldwide, and that's a good thing. Back in the old days, I loved going to countries when they had distinct social and cultural identities. The current cold, grey pablum of universal sameness sucks wind.
How did I miss this! So glad I found it this morning. Thank God for holidays when the world can stop turning long enough to go back and catch up on things we missed.
I am unsure whether to mention the archives have over 1,200 posts you've missed. :)
No doubt I have a lot of catching up to do. I'm somewhat late to the game, but, now I'm here. Thanks!
Sorry, M'Lord Rufus...
Thou art worthy.
Hi Rufus, There's a lot of DEI bullshit in this video, but you get to see the beauty of the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbVymxupSXg
That's a beauty, alright. It shows the lineage of opera house to cinema as a conversion process, but also the social gentility of public events. Compared to the cold, angular monotony of modern cinemas, the old movie palaces are monuments to a time when society sought to uplift, rather than crush the soul.
I took my daughter to the premiere of "Braveheart" at the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle. It was a beautiful, sunny, and warm day. A bagpiper in a kilt entertained the people standing in line to get into the show.
My daughter and I had great seats on the front row of the balcony. The Fifth Avenue Theater is gorgeous. It is designed to look like the throne room of the Imperial Palace in Peking.
When I went to the lobby to go pee, I literally ran into Mel Gibson with his big black bodyguard. Mel is a short guy, maybe 5'9" tops.
Mel strode down the aisle from the lobby to the stage before the movie. As he walked, someone in the theater shouted, "Two men enter!" But no one replied, "One man leaves!"
Great movie.
As for the Bumbledicks, media, etc., I've changed the channel.
How cool is that? I've been a fan of Gibson since "Road Warrior". I really admire him for "Apocalupto". Not many folks willing to do a feature in Maya. Kudos for taking risks.
I miss the old movie palaces. Folks used to dress up and the front row balcony is by far the best seats. Takes me back to the days of real butter on popcorn, and sugar instead of corn syrup in the drinks. That experience will never come again.
Rufus, My daughter and I dressed up for "Braveheart." I saw the musical "Carousel" at the Fifth Avenue as well. Great old theater. "Apocalypto" is a great movie. With Gibson, there are no half measures.
Ummm, Toll house cookies were my favorite.
Oh yes! That and doodads (leftover pie crust rolled up with cinnamon and sugar and baked). I would kill for toll house cookies now. Not only do I not have an oven here (wailing and gnashing of teeth), but walnuts are near impossible to buy here. Alas and alack!
Very insightful. Needed thoughts for context of our times.
For further reference 1970 Lynn Anderson " I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden"
https://youtu.be/KXHsWBKKNbI?feature=shared
There's a song I haven't heard in uncounted ages. Glad you liked the column. I was channelling my inner Vonnegut, though I cannot pretend to stand in the same air with him.
Makes want to sharpen my teeth
Get to filing, mate! There's flesh to rip!