Crunchy Cons, post #3

A discussion of the book Crunchy Cons by Rod Dreher.

(from page 42)

I don’t know anybody who doesn’t yearn for the more orderly, cohesive world that existed prior to the tumult of the 1960s. Nobody wants to go back to the bad old days of segregation, lack of career opportunities for women, and suchlike. But among my older friends, baby boomers now becoming grandparents, there’s a real sense that despite valuable progress, something important was discarded along the way…Lots of us would like to get the good old fifties back, this time without the social strictures, especially racial and gender discrimination that made “the fifties” a byword for conformity and repression. Alas, you can’t have that kind of community cohesion without discarding the consumerist values that have become second nature to modern Americans.

Back when I was more active on online discussion forums, back when swing was our life and I chatted with dancers from all over, there was a regular recurring theme of “oh, man, wouldn’t it be great to return to the 40s?” which was usually followed by a lengthy round of “but the war!” “blacks were discriminated against” “women didn’t have the same opportunities they have now” “it was so oppressive” etc.

I was always on the side of thinking it would be great. Social order, manners, more traditional values regarding homemaking and child rearing, a sense of community, chatting with the neighbors over tea or lemonade on the porch, men opening doors, women wearing dresses.

Of course, you can’t have the 40s or 50s back without the bad things, too, because it’s the combination of the good and the bad that made those eras what they were. It wouldn’t be the 40s without WWII. The war defined the era, made it what it was. The war defined the 50s, as well, really.

But perhaps it’s not a matter of wanting the whole package, but just a matter of somehow finding a way to hang on to the good parts of those eras through the tumult of the 60s and 70s and the materialism of the 80s and 90s. Or of bringing back those parts, those values and lifestyle choices, in the 2000s.

 

Children’s Movie Reviews: Toy Story

Wally and I usually watch a movie most days. I’m not proud of it, but I have to work, and popping in a movie keeps him happy after he’s bored with playing by himself and buys me, on average, 100 minutes. So here’s the first in a series of short posts about movies.

Toy Story.

What I like: I like the story. It deals with jealousy, friendship, and dedication to purpose, as well as an attitude of servanthood. There are also several good one-liners in the movie (“I think the word you’re searching for is ‘space ranger.'” “The word I’m searching for…I can’t say, because there are preschool toys present!”).

What I don’t like: Andy’s mom. She irritates me. On the one hand, she’s pretty reasonable. Andy asks to leave his birthday decorations up until they move, and she says sure. On the other hand, she’s so typically Parent-like. Andy finds his lost toys, who have been traipsing around town, and says “see, right where you left them” in this complete know-it-all voice. argh.

Willing Suspension of Disbelief Becomes Challenging: two times.
1. Molly, Andy’s younger sister who we see taking her first steps in TS2, rides in the front seat of the family van without a carseat.
2. Buzz doesn’t believe he’s a toy. Sometimes he acts like a toy (flopping down when humans approach) but other times, he completely ignores this toy mandate. Which one is it, already?

What Wally could learn: Friendship and purpose.

What Wally probably is learning: How to jump off a stair railing.

Other thoughts: Wally likes to imitate Buzz when he jumps off the stair railing. He’ll climb up on something, pretend to jump off, then lay down on the floor with his legs bent back awkwardly, in exactly the same position in which Buzz lands.