Koyaanisqatsi — a Hopi word meaning crazy life, life in turmoil, out of balance; out of sync, the disintegration/dumbing down of Western culture that has spread throughout the world.

How Not to become a Barbie doll or a Borg

Proverbs 4:7 (King James Version)

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

I work as a security officer for a major cultural institution in New York City, visitors to the repository respond rudely and sometimes curse when I ask them politely ask them to abide by the rules, regulations and policies. Most of my troubles come from adults. Kids under 12 obey quickly. Teenagers. Well what can I say? Anyone between the ages of 13 and 19 seems to think that they know it all and don’t have to listen to anyone. This type of behavior in adults, this lack of respect for authority or to the standards of polite society is even more disturbing and troubling.

Seems like now-a-days everyone feels that they can make their own rules. As was said back in the day, “If it feels good, do it”. However they do it at the expense of other human beings. I suppose this is the result of the sound bite generation. What has been called the herd mentality? Some new type of Bohemian?! I’m going to be a rebel, edgy, hip, damn conventions of society that enable us to co-exist without complete anarchy. Shallowness and superficiality rule the day. Accountability, respect and a commitment to excellence and truth seem to have gone by the wayside. We’ve through aside the tried and true traditions of our grandparents just so we can all fit in. We’ve made ourselves into Stepford Americans who think their trying to be different.

Not only can’t people follow directions they seem to have an aversion to any type of rules. In the two years I’ve worked at my cultural institution I’ve seen all kinds of inappropriate behavior. I wonder sometimes. Do these people conduct themselves that way at home or back in their own countries. If I did some of the things they do in a public building in Europe or Asia I probably be arrested and have my hands cut off.

Where are our future W.E.B. Dubois, Booker T. Washington’s, John Henrik Clarke’s, Queen Mother Moore’s?

What also troubles me is that young people, it does not seem to matter whether they are Black, Hispanic or white cannot think for themselves. Young people even those in their 20s cannot critically analyze information nor can they strategize. Students who come to the cultural institution sometimes practically want me to do their homework for them. My attitude is that I don’t mind helping explaining where a particular piece of artwork is but, hey young person, I have my degree. You need to get yours, preferably but hard work and scholarly research not just I’ll run through the place of order and question every security officer I see until I get my assignment done.

Another thing that totally appalls me is that not just the young generation but even older people show a remarkable lack of knowledge of common historical events. Grown people have no concept or very little knowledge of the French or American Revolutions, or even famous historical characters like George Washington. No, that is not his portrait hanging in the British galleries. Adults whether they come from America or Europe cannot seem to tell the difference between the art from African/Oceana from that of the Greek and Roman section.

The many idiocies I deal with on a daily basis speak to the acceptance of the mediocre in Modern Society. Why should you learn to think for yourself or Love Thy neighbor when I can just ask out my most violent hedonistic fantasy that I’ve heard in rap/hip-hop music, seen on YouTube or on TV and in the movies. After all there are no consequences for my behavior, right? Or are there?

Humans may be evolving physically but they’re devolving intellectually and spiritually. The “Me Generation” never left, never grew up just older. Every day in various venues I listen to and observe persons more conversant with Botox, Restalyne, the little pocket dogs carried in their arms, fake nails, fake boobs, fake hair and having the perfect body more than they care for the person right next to them and certainly not for their immortal soul. That might mean they must treat that neighbor, friend, co-worker, fellow human being made in God’s image with respect and love. Sorry that’s too ethical, too righteous for today’s society.

A society that accepts the common and glorifies the fool is ripe ground for the propaganda of the Glenn Beck, O’Reilly, Hannity, Matthews, Oldbermann, Maddow, Sarah Palin and her Tea Partiers.

The Next Harlem Renaisance?

Also the younger generation is prey to what they think is the truths/revelations from these crazy rap/hip-hop artists/gangbangers. Common criminals are all they are. So we have celebrated fools at both ends of the spectrum. This laissez faire attitude allows error to flourish, grow and expand exponentially.

All it takes is a belief or acceptance of error grounded in misinformation instead of scholarly research and carefully looking back into history for extremism to become the norm and all reason cast to the wind.

Come Let Us Reason Together and Seek the Deeper things of Life

I want to recommend a book I’m currently reading to everyone. The name is Father Seraphim Rose, His Life and Works by Hieromonk Damascene. Ivan gave me this book to read. I’m trying to read as much of it as possible before Ivan’s Minister, Father Peter wants the book back. The book is over 1000 pages so it will be a challenge to complete however so far it has been worth the while. Basically it is about one man’s journey from starting off in life as Eugene Rose an American who came of age in the 1950s seeking truth and authenticity first through atheism, nihilism, and elitism; his awakening to Christ and spiritual journey that eventually leads him to becoming an Orthodox priest. Fascinating though a bit labored thus far.

DeBorah on Her Soap Box

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