Yesterday and today... How did we ever make it?

[Werewolf]

I truly wish the idealized 50s of movies and TV had really existed. Stuff like this leaves out the harsh realities of segregation and the mind numbing levels of racism, homophobia and sexism. For a lot of people, the 50s weren't all that great.

[Boshek]

1958* 2,945,263,533* People

2012* 6,991,800,919* People

[MIB41]

I hate this kind of b.s. email pass-around exaggerated pablum. What part of "no politics or religion" is that hard to understand?

Social Satire: Satire aimed specifically at the general foibles of society rather than an attack on an individual. See discussion under satire...

[MegoSteve]

I hate this kind of b.s. email pass-around exaggerated pablum. What part of "no politics or religion" is that hard to understand?

Yeah, the fifties were fantastic because parents beat their kids (because we all know that any kind of behavioral problem can be solved with violence), everyone had unlimited access to guns and explosives, there were no safety regulations, and people could freely use overtly racist and homophobic language without fear of being ostracized.

[Iron Mego]

Exaggerated hypotheticals don't sway me much. Factual history shows there was a lot of horrible things going on in 1958 - and people were not more innocent than they are today.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Hector]

Exaggerated hypotheticals don't sway me much. Factual history shows there was a lot of horrible things going on in 1958 - and people were not more innocent than they are today.

Exactly.

[Brazoo]

Exaggerated hypotheticals don't sway me much. Factual history shows there was a lot of horrible things going on in 1958 - and people were not more innocent than they are today.

[emeraldknight47]

I think the world, and society, has become much, much more cynical, bitter and less innocent since 1958. In some ways, the internet has improved the world, but in other ways, it makes everything that happens in the world available to everybody RIGHT NOW, which probably only adds to the air of cynicism...

[Hector]

Sorry, as a minority...I'd rather be in 2012 than in 1958, lol.

[Merlyn1976]

The population was also about half of what it was today...not that is an excuse or anything...just another factor...

[CrimsonGhost]

1958?! How old ARE you guys?!

[Mikey]

Scenario 2:

Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1958 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2012 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

The 1958 version is only on classic TV shows.

The 2012 version is a bit over-the-top ... more like somebody films the fight on their phone and posts it on youtube.

[jimsmegos]

the saddest part is I can't see it turning around short of a total collapse.

Damn it.

[wayne foundation 07]

How sad times have changed, how very sad

[MIB41]

You know by today's standards none of us were supposed to ever make it.

HIGH SCHOOL -- 1958 vs. 2012



Scenario 1:

Jack goes duck hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.

1958 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2012 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counsellors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2:

Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1958 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2012 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3:

Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.

1958 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2012 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4:

Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1958 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.

2012- Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse, Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5:

Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1958 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock.

2012- The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6:

Pedro fails high school English.

1958 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.

2012 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario 7:

Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.

1958 - Ants die.

2012 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents - and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8:

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1958 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2012 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

Yes... times were simpler.