Shared cultural experiences - maybe the NCAA basketball tournament? When I was out yesterday with former work colleagues of various political persuasions, there were sweaters with Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Purdue. We talked mostly, and enthusiastically about the prospects for the team we identified with. No heated political discussion.
I also liked the comment around pets. While it is not my thing, I see often how people of opposite political positions can bond over talk of their dogs and cats.
When "on fleek" had a moment in Philadelphia, I asked a young security guard who used it how she spelled it. She laughed, not only because it was apparently a very unhip thing to think about, but because I imagined it being spelled en flique.
Alas, it would have been so much more interesting spelled my way.
Pets and animals in general are unifying figures. It is a shared affection, shared sense of responsibility and stewardship, and a shared recognition of innocence that join us in a love of animals. Of course, there are exceptions (e.g., poachers and abusers) to this. We need to relearn how to properly manage a society the way people properly handle their pets. Respect, care, and discipline.
Dear Jay, you always give me food for thought, but this message bends my brain:
Trump vs Mueller in the context of common "cultural touchstones" ( Brady Bunch), the international order of "post liberals" (Fascists by another name), and a binary option of Bad Bunny or Kid Rock, that's all. Could it be that THAT option conveys the cultural touchstone: if you follow football, you must be for either the Bunny or the Kid; between those two there is no middle ground? Frankly, I see no value in listening to J.D. Vance or pre-post liberal "Marco" declaim the qualities of any dictator, foreign or domestic. There is something to be said for discretion, discrimination and judgement. I may just be an old horse: when it comes to football half time, I favor marching bands.
I was born in 1952 and grew up with television. Early on, there were only three American TV networks (some towns, like the one I grew up in, had only one, until cable TV made its appearance in the late 60s). News, aside from the farm report, was limited to thirty minutes each, world and local in the evening. Every Fall the new shows would come out, to much anticipation, and everyone talked about them. The most popular were watched by millions, and lines of dialogue from them entered common usage, recognized by all who heard them.
That's all pretty much gone now. Don't get me wrong, on-demand streaming is great! Used to, if you weren't present in front of the TV at a certain time and date, well, maybe you'd catch it in summer reruns. But as a pop-culture touchstone shared by the whole country, TV is not what it was. About the only subjects I hear being peacefully discussed by any substantial number of Americans are pets, sports, and the weather (if you can avoid climate change).
Jay, your use of the verb "curate" today was a deflating blow to my psche and ego. For quite some time I have been pestering my wife and and friends about the overuse of the word and thus the destruction of any nuance. Always thought people collected "junk" (such as baseball cards and beer cans) and curated art. I hereby concede the issue and will remain mum in regard to it. Thanks for reading.
"I ask my readers for help answering these questions."
I have thought about this often. During my education there were courses that required "mandatory reading". How about "mandatory watching". I think that D. W. Griffith's "Intolerance" would be a great place to start.
Shared cultural experiences - maybe the NCAA basketball tournament? When I was out yesterday with former work colleagues of various political persuasions, there were sweaters with Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Purdue. We talked mostly, and enthusiastically about the prospects for the team we identified with. No heated political discussion.
I also liked the comment around pets. While it is not my thing, I see often how people of opposite political positions can bond over talk of their dogs and cats.
Keep the faith and Boiler Up!
"What, if anything, do we still share?" A mutual mistrust of one another. This is what multicultural liberalism hath wrought.
Don't know if there are any unifying cultural features anymore. Maybe Halloween, Thanksgiving, and pizza?
Ha, yes.
When "on fleek" had a moment in Philadelphia, I asked a young security guard who used it how she spelled it. She laughed, not only because it was apparently a very unhip thing to think about, but because I imagined it being spelled en flique.
Alas, it would have been so much more interesting spelled my way.
I agree!
Interesting, as always. Thanks, Jay!
My pleasure!
Pets and animals in general are unifying figures. It is a shared affection, shared sense of responsibility and stewardship, and a shared recognition of innocence that join us in a love of animals. Of course, there are exceptions (e.g., poachers and abusers) to this. We need to relearn how to properly manage a society the way people properly handle their pets. Respect, care, and discipline.
Dear Jay, you always give me food for thought, but this message bends my brain:
Trump vs Mueller in the context of common "cultural touchstones" ( Brady Bunch), the international order of "post liberals" (Fascists by another name), and a binary option of Bad Bunny or Kid Rock, that's all. Could it be that THAT option conveys the cultural touchstone: if you follow football, you must be for either the Bunny or the Kid; between those two there is no middle ground? Frankly, I see no value in listening to J.D. Vance or pre-post liberal "Marco" declaim the qualities of any dictator, foreign or domestic. There is something to be said for discretion, discrimination and judgement. I may just be an old horse: when it comes to football half time, I favor marching bands.
Me too!
I was born in 1952 and grew up with television. Early on, there were only three American TV networks (some towns, like the one I grew up in, had only one, until cable TV made its appearance in the late 60s). News, aside from the farm report, was limited to thirty minutes each, world and local in the evening. Every Fall the new shows would come out, to much anticipation, and everyone talked about them. The most popular were watched by millions, and lines of dialogue from them entered common usage, recognized by all who heard them.
That's all pretty much gone now. Don't get me wrong, on-demand streaming is great! Used to, if you weren't present in front of the TV at a certain time and date, well, maybe you'd catch it in summer reruns. But as a pop-culture touchstone shared by the whole country, TV is not what it was. About the only subjects I hear being peacefully discussed by any substantial number of Americans are pets, sports, and the weather (if you can avoid climate change).
Jay, your use of the verb "curate" today was a deflating blow to my psche and ego. For quite some time I have been pestering my wife and and friends about the overuse of the word and thus the destruction of any nuance. Always thought people collected "junk" (such as baseball cards and beer cans) and curated art. I hereby concede the issue and will remain mum in regard to it. Thanks for reading.
My apologies!
Jay, it just occurred to me, isn’t it “OnwardS & UpwardS”?
Ha -- ee-ther eye-ther.
"I ask my readers for help answering these questions."
I have thought about this often. During my education there were courses that required "mandatory reading". How about "mandatory watching". I think that D. W. Griffith's "Intolerance" would be a great place to start.
John Hauck Jr.
Clinton, MI
P.S. "Go Blue!"
Thanks, John, and Go Blue!