Wednesday, November 5, 2008

After the election

Today, a tired, election-battered community and country wake to find a brand-new future, even though almost everything is the same as it was 48 hours ago. A little encouragement to get through the day...


"I read that scientsits are trying to make computers that think. Isn't that weird?? If computers can think, what will people be better at than machines?" "Irrational behavior." "Maybe they'll invent a phsychotic computer."

"Mom and dad say I should make my life an example of the principles I believe in. But every time I do, they tell me to stop it." "I'm not sure that total self-indulgence is really a principle."

"Our lives are filled with machines designed to reduce work and increase leisure. We have more leisure than man has ever had. And what do we do with this leisure? Educate ourselves? Take up new interests? Explore? Invent? Create?" "...Dad, I can't hear this commercial."

"Why do I get the feeling that society is trying to make us discontented with everything we do and insecure about who we are?" "I suppose if people thought about real issues and needs instead of manufactured desires, the economy would collapse and we'd have total anarchy."

"Everything is so darn hard! I wish I could just take a pill to be perfect and I wish I could just push a button to have anything I want." "The American Dream lives on." "Why should I have to work for everything?! It's like saying I don't deserve it!"

1 comment:

Dr. Mike McLellan said...

Jon:
Up late again, I see. I went to bed expecting the Tracy Press staff to be on duty so I could see how things turned out. In that area I was not disappointed, although a little saddened. We are patting ourselves on the back for electing a man of color -- whatever color he was the best candidate. Some are thrilled that Gay and lesbian folks will not be able to be married and that at the City Hall things will likely go along the same as usual. We haven'e come a long way there. I am glad that "S" won. elections are tough and in some ways so is the morning after.