The decay of society (Huckabee, Simpson, crime, military)

[in_newengland]

It's too complicated to really understand.

One issue could be that after WWII more people enjoyed a prosperous lifestyle. Materialism became important. Before that, only the rich could enjoy a decadent lifestyle but now the middle class could buy big cars, nice houses, take trips--and when you start thinking more about objects than people, you get what we have now.

The commercialism and materialism have been spread by radio, then tv, then social media so that these days mostly all some people think about is phones and what other items they should buy. People are secondary. Sticking together and helping each other out? Forget it.

TV and movies haven't helped. They didn't used to be so bad but now it's all about violence and crime because that's what they think people want to see. Too many people are out of touch with what life should be about and obsessed with material objects and a world that they see in the media. We've stopped caring about one another.

(Examples are everywhere--even on CD you find people complaining that someone got something for free or that poor people shouldn't be able to go to school, or people don't need health insurance. If someone suffers a misfortune, it's their own fault and just too bad. That's how rotten it's become. The bad manners and inconsiderate behavior are just examples of these attitudes.)

[xray731]

Originally Posted by survivingearth

All of old movies are racist?? a bit of exaggeration

Moderator cut: off topic Although their were problems years back - I'm sorry but people respected each other more. Kids were given limits and punishments if they exceeded those limits. Kids were as afraid of a neighbor catching them doing something bad as they were of their parents finding out.

There are a lot of great people still out there but too many good people are believing all the BS about how they should feel ashamed for what they are or what they have. Liberal ideas of a Shangri-La where everyone is equal are as factitious as those movies in the 50's but there was more truth in the movies of the 50's than left leaning ideas.

[Two boys]

I think about this all the time. It saddens me to think about what the future may be for the youth of today. The values of yesteryear are almost non-existent. The values you try to teach children in the home conflict with what they experience in the outside world. I continue to teach these values with the hope that at least half of them will penetrate.

And yes, Hollywood, in my opinion has not been a positive influence. There are some who I admire and respect, however, the superficial lifestyles most lead and behavior are at times disgraceful.
Moderator cut: off topic

[Old Gringo]

Originally Posted by survivingearth

I am big fan on old movies and can help to notice the difference in behavior btw the old society vs the new one. What in your opinion has caused that?

Behavior in many aspects has improved over the decades, not decayed. We just don't see lynchings these days. Jim Crow is trying real hard to make a comeback, but so far he's still in chains.

Old movies tend to be much more "fairy tale" oriented, with sugar coated plots where the good guys are wearing white hats and everyone lives happily ever after. Bad behavior wasn't the theme in most films before 1960 or so.

Contemporary films like that tend to animated and aimed at juvenile audiences.

Today's films for adult audiences are more realistic, is all. Well, except for the constant fiery car crashes and bogus marksmanship.

The past wasn't as bright, cheery and positive as old movies would lead you to believe.

But lots of old movies are really good, anyway.

[branDcalf]

Over the years the entertainment industry looked to get people's attention, and dollars. They introduced increasing amounts of base behavior. Some folks lapped it up. Entertainment industry saw there was a market for the more outrageous. Discussions became more common place among viewers. The trash became less shocking and more accepted, and even imitated.

Long ago, when average people peeked into the seedier side of society it was called "slumming."

[augiedogie]

My answer. Christianity and the Bible used to have much more influence on people. 50 yrs ago half of Americans went to church on Sunday. Most churches were conservative, and warned about Gods wrath on judgement day. Thats all changed, and today is what happens.

[Dockside]

Originally Posted by No_Recess

When the Beatles came along with their relatively long hair. Damn hippies and their rock n roll!

Lol. I blamed rap. My parents blamed the Rolling Stones. My grandmother blamed jazz. My great-grandmother would just hit me with her cane and tell me to go away.

[Freak80]

It used to be socially acceptable to murder vast numbers of people in an organized fashion with bombs and bullets. Now people are willing to question the morality of doing that.

I’d say we’ve made moral progress.

[rstevens62]

Originally Posted by Two boys

I think about this all the time. It saddens me to think about what the future may be for the youth of today. The values of yesteryear are almost non-existent. The values you try to teach children in the home conflict with what they experience in the outside world. I continue to teach these values with the hope that at least half of them will penetrate.

And yes, Hollywood, in my opinion has not been a positive influence. There are some who I admire and respect, however, the superficial lifestyles most lead and behavior are at times disgraceful.

Those critical of President Trump on this thread cannot deny he raised respectful children who seem to have traditional family values and a very strong work ethic. Yes, they were privileged and had opportunities most of us cannot identify with, however, they embraced the opportunities, worked hard and became successful.

50-100 yrs in the future, people will be doing the exact same thing we are today...talking about how so much has changed in such a short amount of time.

I suspect all this is done on purpose.

[thelogo]

I agree that movies are not good markers for reality. Like Old Gringo said old movies were more "fairy tale", new movies are too realistic that I don't even watch them. There was a 2006 movie called "Children of Man" and liked it because it has a lot of art and imagination.

As for the decline in society it has been long and gradual. Many of the atrocities of the past were in the name of god. They thought the outcome was decided by god. All the atrocities against indigenous and black people had an religious excuse. What is the excuse now? MONEY. In the third world for millions of people who can't find work, the only way to survive is to join a gang, terrorist groups, etc. It pays well to destroy human life, but can't survive from farming or low paying jobs.

There is no hope of things getting better because there is scarcely any one who understand that a person's wage is not like a computer, cellphone, etc. that is to be sold in the "market". The whole livelihood of humankind depends on realizing it is a right. I doubt that if everyone were to vote on it, people will think it is ok for a person (Bezos) to have $100 billions, while the great majority of people can barely get $2 to survive the day.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10

Edit: Some people will probably misrepresent what I said. It is not that every one should be paid the same. anyone can see that a fruit keeper shouldn't be paid as much as a engineer; however, the growing inequality is self destructive.