July 20, 2004
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REMINISCING
Some of my old (very old) Fraternity Brothers have been chatting about our early lives. We haven't gotten in to how the world has gone to hell since we were boys, but I expect we will.
Actually, considering and discussing how the world has changed in the past 60-70 years is pretty interesting. I used to discuss old people and their attitudes with my students and try to explain how these old farts were living in a world they did not expect and were not very happy about it.
As I'm now one of those OF's I can see that I was correct. The part of my world that has disappeared and left me yearning is mostly the natural part. There just aren't the wide open spaces there were and everything is much more regulated and controlled. Of course, with 270M+ people in a place that had less that half that many when I was born requires that but I think everyone regrets the passing of the freedoms they used to have and the politician who uses this will go far.
Comments (3)
Gosh, I am only 30 and I can totally relate : ) I have dreams about the orchard near where I live being mowed down for new houses (hasn't happened yet, but I imagine it will eventually)
I have lived in the same neighborhood for most of the past 25 years, and I hate how crowded it's become. New houses on the hill, a country club, new shopping centers - it's bizarre. The part that used to (literally) be farms is gone - paved over and built upon now. Of course, with the market downturn in Silicon Valley, nearly all of those new buildings are vacant. A brand new ghost town.
One family built an amazing new house in front of their old one on their land (probably about 10 acres) Well, they never lived in it. The house is still there, but there is a new road going through the middle of what used to be their property, and their are business offices on three sides of the house (the fourth side is a hill)
I think what upsets me the most about the next generation is the willingness to believe what they see on TV and read in newspapers/magazines/ect. No one seems to question things, even when they are blatantly incorrect. Why don't more people question what they are told?
What it amounts to is an ever-expanding number of non-thinking people.
No wonder the marketing execs are having a field day...
My parents use to vacation in Delware many years ago. They had a favorite spot where they would sit off the side of the road and have a picnic under some trees. They would break out their grill, have a few refreshments and just relax. There is now a miniture golf facility in this location. Depressing.
There may be noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made sure good factors in options also.