Fiddling my happy things

[gwendally]

So I've been contemplating the death pains of a great empire, seeing how it cracks along its fissure lines under pressure.  I'm not enjoying this.  So time to do another Happy Things Post!

Comments

[bill_sheehan]

You know, I wonder if the "end of an empire" language is useful. I hear it, and think of toppling civilizations and looming dark ages. We're clearly not there. We're changing, but then, we're always changing.

I've got to toss this one around in my brain for a bit and see if there's anything there.

Which Bogle are you reading?

[jette]

I agree with this - the only constant is change. I don't think there was ever a happy, peaceful sorted Western society. When would it have been? When we had bank panics? Slavery? The period of time when we had a large middle class and a majority culture was also very short, and marked by major turmoil on both ends. The headlines we read today sound like those headlines in Heinlein books to indicate "crazy years" but I think a generation ago was crazier. Jim Jones? Patty Hearst?

[gwendally]

That's why one of my mantras is "misery comes from clinging to that which is changing". That's what the "I am a leaf on the wind" is about, too.

But it's okay to mourn the death of something great, and I think I'm going to see the death of the United States in my life-time. I don't know what will come next: possibly something better. As you point out, change isn't necessarily bad.

But change is hard and I think we're in for some hard times.

[rev_mac]

"I don't think there was ever a happy, peaceful sorted Western society."

You might just be right about that... "The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave." Jefferson.

[seidhr]

I'm not convinced being a leaf on the wind is a happy thing, since it results in a massive post being driven through your chest.

Just sayin'.

[gwendally]

We all die. The trick appears to be happy about being alive.

[seidhr]

Oh, I don't think death is sad/bad/whatever. I just thought that particular movie death was.

[liddle_oldman]

Wash?
He's not coming.