The Fall of LEFTern Civilization

-V- · 07/29/04, 03:28 am

Once upon a time, raging against the corporate machine, flashing the peace sign, liking the French, and respecting the UN was "in". Then the "we" generation bought stock in the company, the "me" generation was born, and there was cable, video rentals, and a TV in every room to amplify the influences of pop culture and commercial profits on political ideology. The results are in:

Values Changed: The moral at the end of every story became the pot of gold at the end of every game/reality show. Today, when kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, they are much more likely to say Donald Trump's next "Apprentice" or the next "American Idol" than the next American President. Once, owning a Volkswagon Beetle was a cool "anti establishment" symbol. Now owning a Hummer is the cool "I'm at the top of the establishment" symbol.
Heroes Changed: The "Justice League of America" became "The Boyz In The Hood". Few people know what ACLU stands for but everyone knows that J'Lo is code for Jennifer Lopez.
Our Address Changed: Americans moved from the innocence of Mayberry RFD to the decadence of Beverly hills 90120
The Music Changed: In 1971 John Lennon inspired us to "Imagine" a world undivided by countries or religions and Coca-Cola pledged to "teach the world to sing in perfect harmony". The 80's began with the question "War, What Is It Good For?" Edwin Starr answered "absolutely nothin", dared to "say it again" and people danced. However, before the decade was over we were left wondering, "What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding?" And by the time the 90's kicked in it was becoming clear that "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". Sadly, in 2004 when Linda Ronstadt was tossed out of her hotel for singing a "Desperado" tribute to Michael Moore we faced the hard reality that "freedom, well freedom, that's just some people talking".

One of the goals of Progressives Online is to promote progressive people and liberal arts wherever we find them. Check out the Liberal Arts forum for examples and reviews of political ideology in pop culture.

zinister · 08/25/04, 09:01 pm

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is from the 80's and if I remember correctly, during the Reagen era.

-V- · 08/26/04, 04:56 am

You're probably right. I should substitute "All I Want To Do Is Have Some Fun", Sheryl Crow.

07/29/04, 03:28 am	#1
-V- POL Founder - Administrator Political Alignment: Independent - very Liberal Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 1,834 Reputation = 186	The Fall of LEFTern Civilization Once upon a time, raging against the corporate machine, flashing the peace sign, liking the French, and respecting the UN was "in". Then the "we" generation bought stock in the company, the "me" generation was born, and there was cable, video rentals, and a TV in every room to amplify the influences of pop culture and commercial profits on political ideology. The results are in: Values Changed: The moral at the end of every story became the pot of gold at the end of every game/reality show. Today, when kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, they are much more likely to say Donald Trump's next "Apprentice" or the next "American Idol" than the next American President. Once, owning a Volkswagon Beetle was a cool "anti establishment" symbol. Now owning a Hummer is the cool "I'm at the top of the establishment" symbol. Heroes Changed: The "Justice League of America" became "The Boyz In The Hood". Few people know what ACLU stands for but everyone knows that J'Lo is code for Jennifer Lopez. Our Address Changed: Americans moved from the innocence of Mayberry RFD to the decadence of Beverly hills 90120 The Music Changed: In 1971 John Lennon inspired us to "Imagine" a world undivided by countries or religions and Coca-Cola pledged to "teach the world to sing in perfect harmony". The 80's began with the question "War, What Is It Good For?" Edwin Starr answered "absolutely nothin", dared to "say it again" and people danced. However, before the decade was over we were left wondering, "What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding?" And by the time the 90's kicked in it was becoming clear that "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". Sadly, in 2004 when Linda Ronstadt was tossed out of her hotel for singing a "Desperado" tribute to Michael Moore we faced the hard reality that "freedom, well freedom, that's just some people talking". One of the goals of Progressives Online is to promote progressive people and liberal arts wherever we find them. Check out the Liberal Arts forum for examples and reviews of political ideology in pop culture. __________________ "To surrender dreams -- this may be madness... And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be" - edited by -V-: 09/27/06 at 09:44 am.

08/25/04, 09:01 pm	#2
zinister POL Visitor Political Alignment: - Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2 Reputation = 10	Re: The Fall of LEFTern Civilization "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is from the 80's and if I remember correctly, during the Reagen era.

08/26/04, 04:56 am	#3
-V- POL Founder - Administrator Political Alignment: Independent - very Liberal Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 1,834 Reputation = 186	Re: The Fall of LEFTern Civilization You're probably right. I should substitute "All I Want To Do Is Have Some Fun", Sheryl Crow. __________________ "To surrender dreams -- this may be madness... And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be"

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