Philosophy
When the baby boomers arrived, their sheer size allowed them to dominate the nation's demographic. In overthrowing the World War II generation's hold on popular culture, they idealized youth. "Hope I die before I get old," was more than a random lyric. Because they were young and wanted social power, they shaped the social picture of happiness around themselves exulting youth above all else.
But then they got old. Although they aged, the image of perfect humanity remained vibrant and youthful -- gray haired couples rising motorcycles and dancing late into the evening. But living up to that image is not entirely possible. Age is not just a state of mind, it is also a state of body. There is a reason why "Cocoon" came out when it did, but it is a fantasy. To help make that fantasy reality, baby boomers turned to pharmaceuticals. Viagra is the band-aid on the baby boomers' self-inflicted injury. To take power, they created an image that they cannot live up to and now have to consult a physician if they do live up to it for more than four hours at a time.
- Oprah, Bob Dylan, And Middle Class Neuroses
Yesterday was Bob Dylan's 70th birthday and today is Oprah's final show. In a certain sense, the work of both have been about the same exact thing, the neuroses of the American middle class. Dylan's rise to prominence came as a result of...
- Novel Graphics And Graphic Novels
Gwydion asks, "Of late, the trend in superhero comic book art has been a move toward a more painterly style, as expressed best (perhaps) by Alex Ross, rather than the simpler line drawings of our youth. Why is that?"It is a reflection of a change in status...
- File Sharing Killed The Video Star
I was listening to an NPR show this weekend where a guest argued that the age of stadium rock shows was ending. He said that when big room filling acts hang it up, they aren't being replaced. There's U2 and maybe Metallica from the late 80s/early...
- Back To The Garden
With the passing of the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, it seems a good time to ask about the living legacy of the 60s. What appealed so much to many of us who were not there was not only the peace and love that were supposed to serve as guiding principles,...
- Modern Day Peter Pans: Social Retardation Or Ironic Undermining Of Social Constraints?
Crystal, a former student, sent me this article from the Washington Post on the recent trend towards recreating childhood activities and treats for adults. From adult kickball leagues to gourmet cupcakes to companies that arrange recess for corporate...
Philosophy
Viagra as the Ultimate Baby Boomer Irony
When the baby boomers arrived, their sheer size allowed them to dominate the nation's demographic. In overthrowing the World War II generation's hold on popular culture, they idealized youth. "Hope I die before I get old," was more than a random lyric. Because they were young and wanted social power, they shaped the social picture of happiness around themselves exulting youth above all else.
But then they got old. Although they aged, the image of perfect humanity remained vibrant and youthful -- gray haired couples rising motorcycles and dancing late into the evening. But living up to that image is not entirely possible. Age is not just a state of mind, it is also a state of body. There is a reason why "Cocoon" came out when it did, but it is a fantasy. To help make that fantasy reality, baby boomers turned to pharmaceuticals. Viagra is the band-aid on the baby boomers' self-inflicted injury. To take power, they created an image that they cannot live up to and now have to consult a physician if they do live up to it for more than four hours at a time.
- Oprah, Bob Dylan, And Middle Class Neuroses
Yesterday was Bob Dylan's 70th birthday and today is Oprah's final show. In a certain sense, the work of both have been about the same exact thing, the neuroses of the American middle class. Dylan's rise to prominence came as a result of...
- Novel Graphics And Graphic Novels
Gwydion asks, "Of late, the trend in superhero comic book art has been a move toward a more painterly style, as expressed best (perhaps) by Alex Ross, rather than the simpler line drawings of our youth. Why is that?"It is a reflection of a change in status...
- File Sharing Killed The Video Star
I was listening to an NPR show this weekend where a guest argued that the age of stadium rock shows was ending. He said that when big room filling acts hang it up, they aren't being replaced. There's U2 and maybe Metallica from the late 80s/early...
- Back To The Garden
With the passing of the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, it seems a good time to ask about the living legacy of the 60s. What appealed so much to many of us who were not there was not only the peace and love that were supposed to serve as guiding principles,...
- Modern Day Peter Pans: Social Retardation Or Ironic Undermining Of Social Constraints?
Crystal, a former student, sent me this article from the Washington Post on the recent trend towards recreating childhood activities and treats for adults. From adult kickball leagues to gourmet cupcakes to companies that arrange recess for corporate...