Time Like No Other-Bob Davis Podcast 826

Time Like No Other-Bob Davis Podcast 826

We’re living through a time like no other. Talking heads constantly compare our time to other times. Does that make sense these days? We’ll talk about it in Time Like No Other-Bob Davis Podcast 826.

Fall Of Rome Anyone?

We’re living through an era ‘like’ the end of the Roman Empire, the foundation of the American Republic, the Civil War, even the 1920’s, say pundits.

Civil War?

Our political divisions are ‘just like‘ those before the Civil War. Is this valid? We’ll talk about it in Time Like No Other-Bob Davis Podcast 826.

World War One On The Menu?

In addition our time is supposedly just like the time before World War One because we face trouble in Eastern Europe and the Middle East and there is a backlash to free trade. Does this make sense?

Trump and Hayes

Hapless political figures are compared to President Trump. Andrew Jackson. James Buchanan. Even Abe Lincoln, Andrew Jackson and Richard Nixon. Rutherford B. Hates and George Wallace. These comparisons are inaccurate. Comparisons suggest an outcome. Also inaccurate.

Ours Is A Unique Era

Finally these comparisons hide the fact that we are living through a unique time. Institutions that have existed for hundreds and even thousands of years appear to be in rapid decline today. At the same time scientific and technological advancements promise even more disruption in the days to come.

Borders, Drones, Social Media As A Weapon and AI

From Border issues to Artificial Intelligence to the rise of Social Media as a weapon. New companies and new products generate unprecedented profits. People seem to be losing faith in their governments. How will we handle these issues?

This Is Not A Movie

Above all comparing our population and technology to ancient and bygone times might make great movies, but bad reality.

In conclusion, we don’t address critical challenges when we look to the past.

By all means let’s learn from history but history isn’t a simple template you can apply to the present time. We’re making it up as we go. Maybe it’s time to accept this really is a new and unique age and act accordingly.

(Editor’s Note: This is a complex podcast. When I do these kinds of podcasts I rush a little to get through necessary details, so I can get to the conclusions. And of course, when rush I can misspeak. The most glaring example in this podcast? I confused President Andrew Jackson with President Andrew Johnson. Seconds before speaking about Jackson, I jumped ahead to the 1860’s when Johnson, not Jackson was impeached.)

Sponsored by John D Scott Personal Injury Lawyer and Reliafund Payment Processors

Time Like No Other-Bob Davis Podcast 826

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Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

The Boy Scouts of America recently changed its name. The reason? Scouts USA will admit girls. These days a decision like that can kick off a firestorm of criticism. There’s even a new Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts. For my best friends and I, BSA was all about camping. We’ll talk about it in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Best Friends Like None Other

I had two best friends growing up. Both of them invited me into the Boy Scouts. The other day one of them texted me, concerned that the Boy Scouts would not admit girls. “Are you gonna do a podcast about that?”, he wondered. I said I didn’t think so. The idea of a podcast about changes in our social institutions though, stuck with me.

Summer Memories

Especially relevant is how summer brings back memories. It’s warm already in Minnesota and that makes me think about my best friends, camp outs, summer camp and fun. For us, that’s what the Boy Scouts were. So I’ll share some stories about our campouts in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Nonconformist Scoutmaster

What’s more, as I researched and thought about this podcast I realized how important our scoutmaster was to all of us. It’s not what you’d expect. Our scoutmaster and the men who watched over us were anything but conformists.

No Patience For Rules and Regulations in 1970’s America

As world war two vets, our scoutmasters weren’t about to take crap from anyone. Moreover, they didn’t have much patience for bureaucracy, rules and regulations. What they did was make sure we were safe, had a good time, and took care of each other. They also stood up for us, celebrated us and had our back. In Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Changing Institutions

Most noteworthy to this podcast is the idea that institutions like the Boy Scouts are changing. Crumbling even. There’s no shortage of criticism for ‘Scouts USA’ from commentators who make sure to tell the reader they were Eagle Scouts and went on to Explorers. We didn’t. In fact we thought ‘Super Scouts’ were kind of weird.

Friends For Life

For us it was all about camping and the kind of friendship none of us will have again. I think it was that way with our scoutmasters and the fathers of the kids who came to the campouts too. For me, I don’t mind leaving it all behind and keeping those times as memories. As Stephen King once wrote, “I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus. Does anyone?”

My sentiments exactly.

Was it the Boy Scouts? Or was it us?

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating Of Saint Paul

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

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New Nostalgia-Really Want A Throwback To Fifties-Pros and Cons-Podcast 710

New Nostalgia-Really Want A Throwback To Fifties-Pros and Cons-Podcast 710

Lots of talk these days about the fifties. The 1950’s that is. A time when we made stuff. When men were men and, you know. Was it so great? We’ll talk about it in New Nostalgia-Really Want A Throwback To Fifties-Pros and Cons-Podcast 710.

A Podcast Subscriber Suggestion

One of my subscribers recently suggested I take a moment or a time in history and talk about it. As it relates to the president, part of the populist political theme these days is getting back to a simpler time when America Was Great.

Back In The Day We Were Happy and America was Great

During the time of poodle skirts and Buddy Holly, Marilyn Monroe and amber fields of grain, lots of people worked in manufacturing. Americans ‘made stuff’. Prices were low compared to today. People were happy. Families were important. Sundays was for church. Cars were big and cool. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

Seeing Life Through The Gauze of Nostalgia

Nostalgia. A sentimental longing a past. Going back to a place or time with happy personal associations. Surprisingly people are sometimes nostalgic for the time just before they were born, or going back to when they were children. We see nostalgia for the 1980’s from millennials who weren’t even born until the 90’s or 2000’s. We’ll talk about it in New Nostalgia-Really Want A Throwback To Fifties-Pros and Cons-Podcast 710.

Politicians Want Your Vote So They Love The 1950s Too

Especially relevant are politicians who evoke these halcyon times. Movers and shakers who want to associate their name and image with a time that is thought to be idyllically peaceful and happy. While we all would love to experience such a time, by some measurements the 1950’s in the United States wasn’t necessarily the jazz age.

Things Were Simpler In Part Because Populations Were Smaller

In New Nostalgia-Really Want A Throwback To Fifties-Pros and Cons-Podcast 710 we’ll take a close look at the 1950‘s including some memories and stories about the early days of the suburbs and the vast differences in the size and makeup of cities and towns.

How Do You Build A Better Future Dreaming Of The Past?

In conclusion if we are always thinking about a time in the distant past that really wasn’t how we remember or think about it, we’re not thinking about the future. Is it so bad people can be themselves these days? What about being able to communicate. Share vast amounts of data easily? Build highly productive factories that make things better, that last longer and do more? Are things better today than in the 1950’s?

You be the judge in New Nostalgia-Really Want A Throwback To Fifties-Pros and Cons-Podcast 710.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Reliafund

New Nostalgia-Really Want A Throwback To Fifties-Pros and Cons-Podcast 710

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