34 Years Ago Today

When people woke up on this day, 34 years ago, after enjoying the previous night’s fireworks, little did they know the comedy genius that was about to be unleashed upon them.

July 05, 1989 – May 14, 1998

48 years ago today.

Remembering the late Rod Serling today, on the anniversary of his death. He was the single greatest influence on my writing.

I may watch a little Twilight Zone tonight in his honor.

Things we did as kids in the 80s.

Oh, how I miss those glorious, golden days of old.

Part two here: https://www.tiktok.com/@recaptured80s/video/7233566217724972334?_t=8ctTPJmJWWc&_r=1

A Fine Example of a Picture Being Worth a Thousand Words.

Quotes: Debating via memes and Twitter.

Amusing ourselves into addiction precedes amusing ourselves to death.

When Neil Postman set out to pen what would be his magnum opus regarding the medium of television, he had no idea that the internet was on the horizon.

Reading Amusing Ourselves to Death several years ago, I couldn’t help but wonder how Postman would have responded to the trappings of our current technology (including the internet and social media). Surely, if he were alive today, readers would be expecting a sequel to that book.

It’s in this vein that I wanted to share the following five-minute video clip with you about how excessive smartphone usage is transforming our minds. This video is not only timely, eye-opening, and convicting, it is downright troubling. I encourage you take five minutes out of your busy day and watch this video with an open mind.

In addition to the internal brain-altering side effects that the above video illustrates, if you have just 27 more minutes, I challenge you to watch the following terrifying video about the external dangers our smartphones present as we find ourselves living in the Brave New World that our nation’s forefathers tried to prevent.*

* For those people out there, or at least that one person (you know who you are) who is/are incapable of understanding that someone can critique the overuse or misuse of certain tools or technologies without being completely against the existence of said tools or technologies, I request you refrain from erecting any further straw man arguments, namely, claiming that if I criticize a negative effect of a tool/technology, then it must mean I’m completely against that tool/technology.

Did you know, I can oppose guns being used in the commission of a crime, and still support the 2nd Amendment? Did you know, I can be opposed to people driving their cars recklessly, causing death and injury to other motorists, but still believe motor vehicles are a great tool?

And I can do all that while simultaneously carrying my gun and driving my car, and this does not make me a hypocrite.

See how this works?

For everyone else, please watch these sobering videos in the spirit they’re intended, and I pray they will be edifying to you. 

___________________________________

Bonus video:

An accurate definition.

If only more of us would rebel.

“Each minute wounds. The last kills.”

Once upon a time, Hollywood had class.

And so did society.

The greatest influence.

Sage advice.

.

The book is always better than the movie.

Do you know of any exceptions?

Quotes: The cost of a kiss and the price of a soul.

Unsolved mysteries.

The genesis of many nightmares for kids in the ’80s. 

Happy Twilight Zone Day

Quotes: Censorship vs willful distraction.

Popularity doesn’t always end well.

 

The TV is my Shepherd.

  

I don’t read.