A Horrible State of Affairs

 

 

For several years I have noticed that I do not recognize famous actors, actresses (even the pretty ones), musicians, musical groups, comedians and other pop culture figures--not even the ones that I knew well when I was thirty--they now look entirely different--that is to say "old". I used to tell Cathy she looked like Sally Fields and Pam that she looked like Elizabeth Taylor. I have recently seen pictures of both women and I think both my daughters are far better looking than either. When I said that I was thinking of the Sally Fields of The Flying Nun and the Elizabeth Taylor of National Velvet

I can live with this phenomenon as far as pop culture and the entertainment field is concerned. I don't really mind not knowing who the movie stars and TV personalities are. It is OK with me if they want to give all the Oscars to complete strangers. But today I got a real shock---and this I do mind. I picked up a book published in the last seven years--of essays on American culture. It was in a series called Messages From American Universities and the title of the book was Wild Orchids And Trotsky. It contained thirteen essays (these people obviously are not superstitious) by noted members of academe and it was the intent of the book to bring the public up to date on the latest thinking in philosophy, aesthetics, literary criticism, and I guess sociology. The shocking thing about the book is that I don't recognize a single one of the 13 essayists or the editor of the volume. As a generality , and in full recognition that all generalities are dangerous, I will say that I don't agree with more than ten sentences in the book, but this is not what shocks me. I learned quite a while ago that it is no longer my world and I can accept that. What I cannot accept is that I have not read the works or pondered the thoughts of these 13 people. I am thoroughly familiar with the two people they roundly criticize ( George Will and Bill Bennett). I am familiar with the politicians they generally deride--you would think reading the book that these people don't like any politicians regardless of party. It was quite an eye-opener and humbling experience to read the book. I still differ with these authors but I will say that they write well--most of them. They even mention one philosopher of my age who they revere and that I had never heard of. I will not degrade myself by telling you the name of the philosopher.

Just as an exercise I have listed below the names of the 13 essayists and the institution where they teach and the title (often misleading) of their essays. How many do you know on a first name basis???

Seriously this book gives me an insight into what the intellectuals in the nation are thinking and it is a far cry from what I thought it was. These people write very very well. next time you see me I will know more about them.

Love

dad,granpa,ami