MuseVision

Here is a bit of pure balderdash that is not really an idea at all. Please be patient with your dedicated moderator. This has been a rough week.

When Rene Descartes came up with “I think, therefore I am”, he certainly created an easy way to stimulate conversation. All you have to do is mention the subject and the evening livens up, and why not? People can let off a little steam about it and no one gets hurt. Of course, along the way a little meaning gets added and a little gets taken away. I mean, what was he thinking, anyway? He was a professional thinker so there should have been no problem for him to think such a thing. Caruso was a professional singer. Does that mean Caruso could have stated “I sing, therefore I am”. Could be, I suppose. When you really get down to it, the whole of history could be expressed as an I_________, therefore I am. Just fill in the blank with a new word or phrase depending on in what era you find yourself. With that in mind, I have decided to re- write Twentieth Century history (a very popular thing nowadays) using the Descartes saying as a model. Savor the changes can be noticed in each decade. Thanks.

The 00’s

I have confidence in my Class and Nation, my King ‘n Country, therefore I am.

The 10’s

I remember the Lusitania and cuss the Kaiser, therefore I am.

The 20’s

I drive my Model “T” to the Speakeasy, dance the “Charleston”, read Fitzgerald, and I am oh, so modern, therefore I am.

The 30’s

I struggle, starve, and die, therefore I am.

The 40’s

I fight like hell, therefore I am.

The 50’s

I buy, sell, consume, and Rock ‘n Roll, therefore I am.

The 60’s

I “liberate” everything I can, while at the same time giving everybody “the finger” and puffin’ the magic dragon, therefore I am, man.

The 70’s

I have feelings (woe, woe, woe), therefore I am

The 80’s

I love myself and hope to be happy with the outcome, therefore I am.

The 90’s

I make a killing on the Stock Market and live with a sense of resigned angst, therefore I am.

What can be said for the new century? Of course, it’s too early to tell yet, but so far, it looks like it could be something like “I scream, therefore I am”.