Deep Thoughts

Do you think that the fact that the US government popped 105 nukes in the open atmosphere in 1962 - during my formative years - had anything to do with my generation's inability to live up to the feats of the "Greatest Generation"?

Comments

[James]

I blame it all on rock-n-roll. Devil music, that's what it is.

[Russ Wellen]

Yes, I do. I was 12 then and I've long suffered from Leaky Brain Syndrome. How's that Nitze-Kennan book? Looks tempting. Just need some good word of mouth to commit to it.

[J.]

I am coming up to the 100-page mark, almost a third, and it is really good. The author is the grandson of Nitze, and it appears that he has done tremendous amounts of research and has old letters from the two men. I just got up to the 1949 Soviet atomic test that divided the two men into different camps. VERY well written, very engrossing. I'm identifying strongly with Kennan. Both men are written as fascinating movers and shakers. Those were certainly interesting times. At the least, go find it in the bookstore and thumb thru the first chapter, I think you will really like it.

[munro ferguson]

I blame my generation's shortcomings on MTV and the infantilization (is that a word?) of cartoons during the mid 80's.

[Publius]

Actually, Jason, you come later. It's your parents' generation that got hosed by the "greatest generation." It was all just passed on to you.

Think about that whenever you hear how "great" one generation is, and how much worse any following generation might be. Ask yourself why Vietnam veterans aren't out there singing the praises of the "greatest generation."

Life is indeed a continuum.

[Russ Wellen]

Thanks, Jason. Those are two fascinating characters. I'll take it out of the library and give it a try.

[E_L_P]

No. The cause was rock and roll music.

Lou Gossett Jr. has more on this...

"Where you been all your lives,
at an orgy?


Listening to Mick Jagger music and
bad-mouthing your country, I'll bet.

Stop eyeballing me. You're not worthy
to look your superiors in the eye."