Posted by
Andrews on Friday, September 18, 2009 5:17:52 PM
I know I have spent more time recently apologizing for not writing than actually writing, but this time I really do have two half-finished posts just waiting for me to complete them. Unfortunately work and home have managed to distract me, so they are not yet ready, but sometime tonight or tomorrow I plan to post the following:
1. Shame, Insularity, Fear, Relativism and Societal Collapse - An examination of the pressures and social changes which took us from the relatively law abiding, orderly society that existed, for the most part, throughout the first half or more of the 20th century, and the crime ridden, sex obsessed, collapsing society we see around us, which accepts random violence and crumbling families as the norm. (I also will look at some of the arguments about the decline of our culture and point out which are real and which exaggerated, such as the "explosion" of stranger abductions of children. While I agree our society has experienced a clear decline, it does not help to base our analysis on bad data, so we should be certain that the measurements we use are correct.)
2. Humor and Nightmare - A look at predictability and why it is essential in both everyday life and in social interactions. Starting with an examination of the role of predictability in ordinary life, I will build up to the argument that our present governmental policies and societal trends create an unacceptable degree of unpredictability, making planning more difficult and generally hampering our development.
I also have the outline of a third post I have been promising for some time:
3. How Green is my Technology - As promised in "Silent Day?" and "Upcoming Posts", a look at "green" technologies, and the real environmental impact, as well as an inquiry into whether it is possible to maintain our present standard of living while complying with the demands of the green crowd, and, if not, what is possible in terms of "green" technology, and whether or not we should even bother.
I would add more tot he list, but as I have been pretty bad at fulfilling my promises concerning upcoming articles, I figure I should set the bar pretty low for now, so I don't have to publish yet another apology.