jazzytakara Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 So many historical documentaries ask how ancient civilizations were so advanced when our own civilization seems so behind. It seems kind of obvious to me, when I look at history their cultures were rich and diverse. History was filled with scientific discovery, artistic wonders, literary masterpieces, etc. What does our civilization have to show for itself; Honey Boo Boo and Jersey Shore (and all other variations). Our civilization is lacking as our culture glorifies stupidity and thrives on excess. Our culture thrives on loose morals (and in some cases no morality whatsoever), death, selfishness, and greed. We live in a world where its every man for themself, and human life is often viewed as an inconvenience. Rather than thriving for intellectual success, younger generations are being taught that success comes from garish attempts at fame via drunken escapades and sex tapes. Basic morality and responsible behaviour is being discouraged. We also have more distractions than those in the past, we have the internet, computers, television, etc. We often seek amusement/entertainment cheaply, rather than deepening our lives with prayer and intellectual pursuits. I could go on some more but I think my frustration has come across in two short paragraphs. Any other thoughts on why our culture seems to be behind those of the past? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiiMichael Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Bachelor of Arts in History here. Let me organize my thoughts and write up a post before any of us get too far into this. I'll be right back with a second post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiiMichael Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 So many historical documentaries ask how ancient civilizations were so advanced when our own civilization seems so behind. It seems kind of obvious to me, when I look at history their cultures were rich and diverse. History was filled with scientific discovery, artistic wonders, literary masterpieces, etc. What does our civilization have to show for itself; Honey Boo Boo and Jersey Shore (and all other variations). Our civilization is lacking as our culture glorifies stupidity and thrives on excess. Our culture thrives on loose morals (and in some cases no morality whatsoever), death, selfishness, and greed. We live in a world where its every man for themself, and human life is often viewed as an inconvenience. Rather than thriving for intellectual success, younger generations are being taught that success comes from garish attempts at fame via drunken escapades and sex tapes. Basic morality and responsible behaviour is being discouraged. We also have more distractions than those in the past, we have the internet, computers, television, etc. We often seek amusement/entertainment cheaply, rather than deepening our lives with prayer and intellectual pursuits. I could go on some more but I think my frustration has come across in two short paragraphs. Any other thoughts on why our culture seems to be behind those of the past? Firstly, let's get rid of this delusional idea of some "golden age" of history. It doesn't matter when you point to, there has never been a golden age, and there won't be until we reach New Creation and that's something entirely different. Second, let's take a look at this "rich and diverse" cultures idea. It's true, I'll give you that. Looking back at history, we see such beautiful art from all over the world depicting various religious icons and scenes. Not to mention the beautifully rendered paintings of people who commissioned them. Yes, the cultures of the past were incredibly beautiful. But so are we in this modern age. We have these beautiful mediums, photography and cinematography, that weren't available to our ancestors. Do you meant to tell me that these things are ugly? That these artists are on the same level as Honey Boo Boo and the Jersey Shore? How dare you. How do you think people like Virgil and Shakespeare would feel to be compared to the barbarism of gladiatorial fights and bear baitings? Senseless entertainment has been around as long as entertainment has, but not only do we have the artistic mediums of our ancestors, but we also have these beautiful and unique artistic outlets that our ancestors couldn't have imagined. Now I won't argue with you about loose morals and a lack of respect for human life. These things are problems, and they have gotten worse in recent decades. But if I have learned anything in my study of history, it is that dark times precede light ones. I can't tell you when the next light time will happen, but I can tell you that it will. Christ assures of that. We don't lack for art or beauty in our society, just like those of ancient Rome did not lack. But just like those ancient Romans, we must look beyond the cheap thrills and loose morals to find them. Don't give up hope, they're there. But don't expect a resurgence of a golden age where everyone desired knowledge and true beauty, because that golden age is a fiction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 There is some pretty epic stuff happening in modern society. Our scientific progress is absolutely mind boggling. If the Renaissance was the age of art, then perhaps looking back we can call this century the age of science. And there really is not anything wrong with that. Also I would be willing to argue that some examples of modern media, like certain movies, animation, photography, perhaps even some video games, will be seen as artistically significant some time down the road. It is more difficult to notice now, because we take it for granted, and because the passage of time has not yet discarded the banal and cheap creations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzytakara Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 I know there are bad things in the past too, as there are good things in our time. I'm just getting so frustrated with how much interest is given to awful things. Kids today seem to care more about becoming reality television stars than advancing medicine for instance. That's more so what's bothering me. Everywhere I look within my own generation is people wasting their talents in efforts to become famous for something that fifty years ago was shameless to bring up in polite conversation. There is a lot our society has offered, medical advances, electrical/technical advances, its just a shame that more news coverage is given to the Kardashians than is given to a doctor in Canada who may have discovered a cancer fighting virus (it kills the tumours, and prevents new ones from forming in short), yes its still a clinical trial, but its a lot more important than which celebrity had an affair with who. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amppax Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Firstly, let's get rid of this delusional idea of some "golden age" of history. It doesn't matter when you point to, there has never been a golden age, and there won't be until we reach New Creation and that's something entirely different. Second, let's take a look at this "rich and diverse" cultures idea. It's true, I'll give you that. Looking back at history, we see such beautiful art from all over the world depicting various religious icons and scenes. Not to mention the beautifully rendered paintings of people who commissioned them. Yes, the cultures of the past were incredibly beautiful. But so are we in this modern age. We have these beautiful mediums, photography and cinematography, that weren't available to our ancestors. Do you meant to tell me that these things are ugly? That these artists are on the same level as Honey Boo Boo and the Jersey Shore? How dare you. How do you think people like Virgil and Shakespeare would feel to be compared to the barbarism of gladiatorial fights and bear baitings? Senseless entertainment has been around as long as entertainment has, but not only do we have the artistic mediums of our ancestors, but we also have these beautiful and unique artistic outlets that our ancestors couldn't have imagined. Now I won't argue with you about loose morals and a lack of respect for human life. These things are problems, and they have gotten worse in recent decades. But if I have learned anything in my study of history, it is that dark times precede light ones. I can't tell you when the next light time will happen, but I can tell you that it will. Christ assures of that. We don't lack for art or beauty in our society, just like those of ancient Rome did not lack. But just like those ancient Romans, we must look beyond the cheap thrills and loose morals to find them. Don't give up hope, they're there. But don't expect a resurgence of a golden age where everyone desired knowledge and true beauty, because that golden age is a fiction. This. I read the first post, and was about to post the exact same things. History Majors ftw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiiMichael Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 But when the history books are written, it will be that Doctor who is remembered, not these banal celebrities in the tabloids. Take heart in that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzytakara Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 But when the history books are written, it will be that Doctor who is remembered, not these banal celebrities in the tabloids. Take heart in that. I'd prop this if I could. I guess my rant was a little uncalled for, and more frustration induced than it needed to be. I was forced to watch some 2012 documentary on the History Channel, and it annoyed me so much how ridiculous all those theories were and how many bought into them all. And so I became a bit bitter and disillusioned with society again. Thanks for the replies and patience, they renewed my hope a bit. Sorry if I seemed naive and disrespectful earlier, its been a long week. Also maybe you could suggest some good examples from our culture for me to enjoy? Mainstream media has failed to provide lately... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Also maybe you could suggest some good examples from our culture for me to enjoy? Mainstream media has failed to provide lately... Serial Experiments Lain. Masterpiece of postmodern cyberpunk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9kYAEyVjEY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 I'd prop this if I could. I guess my rant was a little uncalled for, and more frustration induced than it needed to be. I was forced to watch some 2012 documentary on the History Channel, and it annoyed me so much how ridiculous all those theories were and how many bought into them all. And so I became a bit bitter and disillusioned with society again. Thanks for the replies and patience, they renewed my hope a bit. Sorry if I seemed naive and disrespectful earlier, its been a long week. Also maybe you could suggest some good examples from our culture for me to enjoy? Mainstream media has failed to provide lately... When it comes to art, The Hobbit is so visually stunning. Beyond that, the music is masterful and the acting superb. But the question is, what are you looking for specifically? There are so many amazing things going on right now no matter what you are interested in (Unless of course you are like me and like philosophy, in which there is nothing holding you back from crying until you run out of tears). There are amazing things going on in science, for instance. Do you like astronomy? Look at up some recent developments. Scishow on Youtube usually has videos on brand new scientific discoveries, which range from astronomy to biology to zoology. Do you like music? Some great things are happening with music, too. Beautiful works of art are coming out and being composed as I type. Are you a fan of psychology like I am? We are figuring out so many amazing things when it comes to psychology, and the credit for this is of course due to the amazing scientific facts we are discovering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 So many historical documentaries ask how ancient civilizations were so advanced when our own civilization seems so behind. It seems kind of obvious to me, when I look at history their cultures were rich and diverse. History was filled with scientific discovery, artistic wonders, literary masterpieces, etc. What does our civilization have to show for itself; Honey Boo Boo and Jersey Shore (and all other variations). Our civilization is lacking as our culture glorifies stupidity and thrives on excess. Our culture thrives on loose morals (and in some cases no morality whatsoever), death, selfishness, and greed. We live in a world where its every man for themself, and human life is often viewed as an inconvenience. Rather than thriving for intellectual success, younger generations are being taught that success comes from garish attempts at fame via drunken escapades and sex tapes. Basic morality and responsible behaviour is being discouraged. We also have more distractions than those in the past, we have the internet, computers, television, etc. We often seek amusement/entertainment cheaply, rather than deepening our lives with prayer and intellectual pursuits. I could go on some more but I think my frustration has come across in two short paragraphs. Any other thoughts on why our culture seems to be behind those of the past? Looking into history, I honestly can't say I agree with you. I am not saying we are angels, but just as cultural evolution is hogwash, the opposite is likewise. No generation was every radically better or worse than any other. There have been Honey Boo Boos and Jersey Shores from the beginning of civilization and there will continue to be. It may be true that sexual morality is looser, but not more so than 40 years ago - if anything, statistics show the opposite is true, we are becoming more chaste after the initial hedonism of the Sexual Revolution. Also, this generation has less racism and less bigotry than 50 years ago - people of different backgrounds are more able to see each other as human, even if they disagree. There are more chances for upward mobility than there were in the past, though it is still not enough. As for distractions - they are only distractions if you let them be, the internet, television, and computers can be positive forces for good. Without technology, the revolutions in the Muslim world, which whatever their difficulties in the short term, I believe to be a definite good, would be impossible. In general, I really disagree with what you say about young people. I teach an introductory Composition course at a major state university, and I can tell you that the essays my students wrote, while not perfect, reflect a desire for justice and goodness in this world just as strong as any other. I know there is a tendency to take the worst examples as the norm, but I think if you look a little closer you will see things are not as bad as they seem. Serial Experiments Lain. Masterpiece of postmodern cyberpunk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9kYAEyVjEY Lain is Japanese culture. Also GiTS>Lain Have you seen Madoka? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Been meaning to get to Madoka for a while. Unfortunately my schedule has not allowed for it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJon16 Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Is this anime? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 (edited) Been meaning to get to Madoka for a while. Unfortunately my schedule has not allowed for it yet. Actually, even though Madoka was great, I think this series called Mawaru Penguindrum is actually even better. It's a bit, um, weird, but I unlike Madoka, it is concerned with distinctly spiritual or existential questions. It's also very funny. You should definitely consider watching it if you watch any recent anime. Edited December 21, 2012 by Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Is this anime? Sure is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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