Posted by Dinah on February 22, 2010, at 10:09:25
In reply to Re: It hasn't always been like this?!?!?!?!, posted by 64Bowtie on February 22, 2010, at 2:42:35
It's good to make a conscious effort to change your gripy-grumbly-complainy underwear after a nice satisfying grump. :)
Society doesn't s*ck anymore than it ever has. I've been reading about medieval England and blessing the society we live in. I haven't been to a public hanging... ever. I've never yet seen a head hanging on the city walls. I can complain about my government any time I like and espouse my rather heretical religious beliefs without being afraid of being burned alive. And don't even get me started on medical care and sewer systems. Most of us don't have fleas! If you throw in refrigeration, air conditioning, and the internet, I could get on my knees and cry in gratitude.
People have been grumbling forever that society is circling the drain. (Well, not before there was plumbing. I don't think I want to think what they thought society was doing before then.) But the simple fact is that by objective measures, society ain't doin' half bad. We gripe now about things it wouldn't have even occurred to us to gripe about not all that long ago. We go out of our way to help the less fortunate in ways that only monastics used to do. Groups of people, young and old, came from all over to camp out in churches in New Orleans and help rebuild houses. Can you see that happening in medieval times? Neighbors certainly. But strangers?
Society has improved and is getting better every day. Which is certainly no reason for complacence, but every reason for continuing to strive.
poster:Dinah
thread:936904
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20100119/msgs/937673.html