RE: [pf] we took the wrong track, in the '50s and '60s

by Fitzsimmons, Diane

05 December 2000 19:16 UTC

Molly makes interesting and quite correct points.  Can't discount the
conversion theory.

Thinking more deeply about David and Betsy's comments, here some more my gut
reactions:

The watershed of WW2 must be factored in.  A greater sense of entitlement (I
mean that in the most positive way possible) arose in all who participated
in that: the GIs of all races, the women who took jobs of greater
responsibility, people who sacrificed material goods (not to mention loved
ones) for the war effort.  "I lived through that horror; I want to enjoy the
fruits of my labor." 

The march of technology is another factor.  On the surface, air conditioning
seems like a great idea.  To my mind, it has vastly changed our culture.
Lots of other examples, of course.

I think we all suffer from "I want what I want" syndrome.  Unfortunately,
most Americans' "I wants" have grown to the critical mass where it is
destroying the world.  And once we get what "I want" then we usually are not
satisfied but move onto to another "I want."  I'm not sure we can avoid
that.  Once the belly is full and safe sleep is possible, visions of
sugarplums dance in our heads.

It's hard for people to see how you can separate color television from the
polio vaccine, the Ford Explorer from mammograms, Big Brother computers from
the electronic global village?  In other words, how do you keep the "good"
advancements and do away with the "bad?"

Diane Fitzsimmons
Norman, Okla.