#359 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Tuesday May 24)
Good morning,
A potpourri of readers’ observations:
PANDEMIC WOES
A couple of weeks ago, I commented on some of the few positives of pandemic isolation, particularly as it sharpened our focus on the best parts of life. The other end of the spectrum is that many people have suffered through serious illness or death, and many people still haven’t recovered from damage to their mental health resulting from the pandemic. But there also were various other “middle grounds” of discomfort and separation—disruptions to routine that caused people to miss out on people and pursuits that in the past few months they have been able to rediscover. Mark DiMaria puts a fine point on this:
“We saw far less of our family.. They all live in distant locations, where they were as hunkered down out of caution as we were... We went well over a year without seeing any of them. Our bubble was just the two of us -- and we were grateful that at least we had each other. Work did not slow down, and leisure time did not increase at all... And there was far less for us to do with our remaining leisure time -- no more travel, plays, concerts, ballgames, dinners out, evenings with friends or family, etc.
Mark’s conclusion, with which I concur, is that the journey—as difficult as it may have been—has resulted in a greater appreciation of our health, our friends, and our favorite pursuits.
THE ROLLING STONES
In yet another example of “where has the time gone,” Bill Johnson noted last week that it was the 50th anniversary of the Stones album “Exile on Main Street.” This was the seminal, experimental Stones album that broke from their more typical American-influenced rock and roll into other genres and sounds (and even featured some lead vocals from Keith Richards). Tempus fugit…
CULTURE DOESN’T NECESSARILY COME FROM BOOKS
After eight decades of “best books,” over these past Mondays, Adam Torson notes, “I know your series is about the best literature of the decade (loving that, by the way), but I think the most iconic cultural voice of the 1990s is The Simpsons, the voice of my generation and the greatest sitcom of all time. I still find myself chuckling to almost 30 year-old jokes from that program on a daily basis.”
I agree. The Simpsons is a classic. The Sonnenbergs (well, the kids and I) view Simpson reruns as the “go to” when it’s getting late, attention spans wane, and we just want 22 minutes of brilliant writing and a few good yuks.
A DOSE OF CONCERN AND A CALL FOR ACTION
Bill Barnett notes: “My sincere belief is that, although we are running our earth into the ground, it will survive sans humanity…The earth has evolved over 4 billion years and has an uncanny way of healing. Man, on the other hand, has taken only six million years to destroy it. Everyday over 150 species are being lost at our hands and yet so many people don’t know that because it doesn’t affect their daily life. We are the smartest and most evolved species in the history of the world, yet the most selfish and ignorant at the same time. If all of our energies and manpower are not shifted towards the sustainability of the earth soon, we will be gone… Maybe the next generation of life will do a better job.
SUMMARIZING THE BOOKS OF THE 2000s
I love getting positive feedback and confirmation of, or disagreement with, my suggestions. Here’s Peter Bain’s perspective on some favorite books:
“One of your best, sir - most likely because I share your views here! What’s that great old phrase: ‘You’re a genius - that’s just what I think!’ But it’s true! I think Erik Larson has picked up the E.L. Doctorow mantle and lifted it even higher! I have read everything he’s written. And Chabon’s “Amazing Adventures…” should be a part of every American Studies syllabus. Such a vivid insight into mid-century Manhattan aspirational experience! And I agree on John Adams. Again, I think McCullough is one of our great historians among what I view as a bit of a golden era (Joseph Ellis, Ron Chernow, Edmund Morris, Michael Beschloss, Stephen Ambrose, Walter Isaacson, and on…), and I think Adams is one of his best! Huzzah to you!!!”
Need I confirm that Peter is right on all counts?!
Have a great day,
Glenn
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