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We live in times when stupidity, superficiality and mediocrity are idolized while people boast about how hard they work, how big is their salary, and how much taxes they pay. People competing about having material things... no matter at the expense of what in many cases... even if it's selling illegal drugs.
The worst that can happen to a society is when people become wealthy, but still mediocre because having money is the only standard to determine success. There are many examples in Hollywood. Justin Bieber, which has become a role model for many youths, is another example. Food for thought!
That's why I hope China and Japan continue to buy more U.S. Treasury securities to pile on top of the $5 trillion they already own. They will conquer the USA without a single shot being fired.
All these superficial "rich" Americans won't be smiling or bragging too much after they're made into sweatshop peasants earning $5/day like the average Chinese worker.
In general, we as a society no longer value intellectual pursuits. 100 years ago Latin and Greek were taught in high school. Now we teach remedial math and reading in college.
You can watch the local evening news and it is 50% celebrity gossip and reports on the newest fast food options. We are a dumbed-down society and most people don't care. As long as we have the latest phone, biggest gas-guzzling vehicle, sexiest clothes. We are walking zombies who can't even write a correct sentence. We know nothing.
We don't think. We want everything done for us.
People worship talentless media figures and listen to talk show hosts for advice.
We are our biggest enemy and we don't even know it.
Every society has always revered that which is superficial.
Pomp and pageantry of all sorts is inherently superficial.
The Pyramids at Giza (and beyond) were enormous exercises in superficiality. The elaborate rituals of nobility, the gaudy dress of priests, the idolization of actors in films and on the Elizabethan stage and those who were court jesters. In reality, a great many trappings of culture are simply superficial manifestations. Consider ornate gravestones that go beyond mere marking and recording. Or waxing ones car? Please. Aside from basic rust-prevention, most car cleaning is so it looks nice and shiny, not so it lasts longer. Our attire is largely superficial. Our silly bright-green, watered and fertilized and landscaped yards are superficial.
So? It's normal human behavior. And it's certainly nothing new.
In general, we as a society no longer value intellectual pursuits. 100 years ago Latin and Greek were taught in high school. Now we teach remedial math and reading in college.
Nowadays, copy and paste is rampant in colleges as well academic dishonesty both from students and professors. When I was completing my Master's Degree there was a professor who used the ideas of one of the students for his doctoral dissertation without giving credit to the student. There is no ethics anymore, but survival instinct no matter what.
That's why I hope China and Japan continue to buy more U.S. Treasury securities to pile on top of the $5 trillion they already own. They will conquer the USA without a single shot being fired.
All these superficial "rich" Americans won't be smiling or bragging too much after they're made into sweatshop peasants earning $5/day like the average Chinese worker.
And all the US has to say to china is we wont pay you.
Of course that would destroy US governmant credit.....but its a good ladt ploy
OP, learn a new word: nouveau riche. Also, parvenu. It very well matches what you referring to. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouveau_riche
In Russia, it's a "new Russian". Epitome of Russian style parvenu.
But it's the same type of people. Also, they are the same everywhere.
Not sure why you surprised though. Idolatry of Mammon always lead to only this outcome.
We live in times when stupidity, superficiality and mediocrity are idolized while people boast about how hard they work, how big is their salary, and how much taxes they pay. People competing about having material things... no matter at the expense of what in many cases... even if it's selling illegal drugs.
The worst that can happen to a society is when people become wealthy, but still mediocre because having money is the only standard to determine success. There are many examples in Hollywood. Justin Bieber, which has become a role model for many youths, is another example. Food for thought!
I disagree, I know lots of people who do NOT idolize stupidity and superficiality..money is the "standard to determine success" only by those who strive to have more of it, and can't (and probably never will be) content with what they have.
It's up to the parents to teach by example rights from wrongs, not some star on T.V.
I don't know a Justin Beiber...I gather he's just another one of many actors...if teens had a parent or mentor in their lives they wouldn't be looking to the T.V. for their role model.
For many people wealth is not a prerequisite for health and happiness.
People who feel the need to flaunt or boast about the money they make are usually (in my opinion) hiding other insecurities...and it's their way of making themselves feel better.
Idiocracy was a so-so movie but a brilliant social commentary.
I don't think we're all that far from true Roman-style "bread and circuses" where reality shows will feature actual deaths.
This morning I was reading an article on whether Tom Cruise was still a "movie star". I am not a Tom Cruise fan, but the article was interesting in that it showed that box office trends favor "unoriginal" scripts. Sequels of comic book fiction and movies based on old TV shows do far better box office than something original. People just do not want to have to think anymore.
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There is no ethics anymore, but survival instinct no matter what.
