..The End of the World, As We Know It...

And I feel fine. Thank you R.E.M. for heralding in the end of days. Honestly, I thought it would have been someone a little heavier, maybe Cannibal Corpse, Slayer, or even Metallica. I did a reply over at the Jace Hall blog, and I wanted to maybe go a different direction with that the poster there, Paul Nyhart said.

Look at this- if the world were to end today, gone, kaput; would you be happy with where you are, and what you've done to get you there? Also equally as important, would you be happy with the world around you, and what you contributed to it? Now, wait before you jump to an answer. I think a lot of points he made were very similar to the way I think- more people know the finalists in American Idol than who their local county and state representatives are; even their local town mayor. My generation, so dubbed 'Generation X', is a generation of oxymorons and oddities. Vocal yet silent. Aggressive yet passive. Intelligent yet so very, very stupid. I have acquaintances from high school that went in so many directions, if would be like the scattering of roaches when the light is turned on. One is practically living on Capitol Hill, reporting good, witty facts and updates about local and Federal politics. One is a nationally known and awarded body builder. One is out in Cali, living the 'punk out with your junk out' credo. Me? I'm a geek to the bone. I do systems administration for a private South Florida college. One of those 4 has current knowledge of politics, one of health and nutrition, one the music culture, and one the latest technology buzz. Together, we'd be a force to be reckoned with. Separate, not so much. This sounds like a strange description, but, let me tie it all in.

My father, who has passed on some 10 years ago now, had a little of all of those talents, and still was amazingly versed in all current events, whether it be the local candidates running for selectman or the national Olympic team standings. I'm lucky to know when the Olympics are even being held. We now have an information overload, and we glamorize the trivial, and shuffle away that which is truly important. Parts of my generation are finally waking up to this harsh reality, and realizing that we may be too late to change it for ourselves. So, we start change now, and let it trickle down to the next gen, and hope that they see much sooner than we what is truly important in our country, and the world.

As fascinating as it is to know what Lady GaGa is wearing today, I would rather learn something useful.