These days it sure seems like there’s a lot of people living in the past. Glory Days. Happier Times. Why? We’ll talk about it in Living-In-The-Past-Bob Davis Podcast 886.

Friends Have A Deep Conversation

One of the great things about friendship are the deeper conversation friends often have. Recently a good friend and I had a talk after dinner. The country is changing. There were regrets, a memories of a world that was maybe simpler and more predictable.

Obsession With The Past

Especially relevant is the question of when in life does this obsession with the past begin?

This Time Is The Best Time

I think we’re living in extraordinary times. Despite the difficulties I wake up every day excited about what’s going to happen next.

Where do you live in time?

Certainly children live in the now. Most adolescents probably live in the future. In contrast it seems like people start mentally residing in the past at some point in middle age.

When does the past become an obsession?

Because this is the time when the days are shortest maybe we have time for more reflection. It’s natural we would yearn for the traditions of a bygone age. But I have recently encountered some evidence that suggests we’re doing more than yearning for traditions. For instance…

Losing Trust

First of all a Pew study was released recently which says most of us don’t trust the media. ‘Conservatives’ are much more likely to distrust the media than their so called ‘liberal’ counterparts.

YouTube Is My Bellwether

Second because I watch a lot of YouTube I come across some pretty weird stuff. Moreover my favorite genre are the people who predict the apocalypse.

Three Days Of Darkness

Recently I ran across a vein of gold when it comes to apocalypse videos on YouTube. The three days of darkness people. I’ll tell you all about it in Living-In-The-Past-Bob Davis Podcast 886. However sometimes I think those predicting the end of the world are really seeing their own world end.

A Preoccupation With Death For Boomers

Most noteworthy? We don’t usually want to talk about death but a preoccupation with it can begin pretty early in life. I wonder if the result of that is an increasing reliance on memories of an easier, simpler time.

Avoiding That Mindset

Finally I try to avoid that mindset. I really do think this is an amazing time. Even though we have many challenges today.

We Remember The Good

In conclusion the one truth about the past is, we generally remember only the good things.

Journey Through Time

Furthermore all of us alive today are on a journey together through time. Like a train trip. Some of us will have to get off the train before others. Also new people will get on as we get off. We all have a role to play on this trip, but eventually it dawns on us…No matter how much we might want to, we’re not driving the train.

Living-In-The-Past-Bob Davis Podcast 886

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:50 — 68.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Bonnie-Clyde-1930s-America-Bob Davis Podcast 830

Nothing Sweeter Than The 1930’s

If you study history you know we all have our favorite periods. These days I turn more and more to 1930’s America. Specifically the story of Bonnie and Clyde. Learn more in Bonnie-Clyde-1930s-America-Bob Davis Podcast 830.

Highwaymen

There’s a new movie on Netflix called ‘Highwaymen‘. The movie details the search for Bonnie and Clyde and their inevitable end and stars Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson. I like this movie because it does a better job telling more of the real story, than other efforts.

The Ford V8

Especially relevant to the story is the automobile and the then new national highway system. For Clyde Barrow there was no equal to the then brand new Ford V-8. This was Barrow’s number one choice to steal. Bonnie Parker died with a map of the old national highway system on her lap.

National Highway System

Most noteworthy Barrow was famous for covering as much as a thousand miles in one day in one of his stolen Ford V-8’s. The duo sped across New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Kansas on those brand new blacktopped two lane interstate highways, and many a dirt road or field during their crime sprees.

Depression and Crime

The height of the depression in the early 1930’s comes down to us in faded black and white photos, and speed graphic newspaper photos taken in tourist camps, abandoned farms and failed banks. Yet the people then, experienced it in color. Find out why this era fascinates me in Bonnie-Clyde-1930s-America-Bob Davis Podcast 830.

Criminal Minds

Finally there is this question of criminal behavior. Bonnie and Clyde have a special place in 1930’s history. To a certain degree their story line is a lie. Foolish young people pushed into a life of crime by life circumstances? Or criminals that terrorized local communities across the rural Midwest?

Mystery and Legend

In conclusion Highwaymen, three books I read before for a podcast I did about the mystery and legend of Texas Ranger Frank Hamer. Those links are here. I did these podcasts because so many inaccuracies and lies have become part of Bonnie and Clyde lore.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating Of Saint Paul

Bonnie-Clyde-1930s-America-Bob Davis Podcast 830

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:01 — 103.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS