Getting Darker Before The Dawn…

“Adrift:  America In 100 Charts“  (2022©)  —  book review
So last night I completed “Adrift:  America In 100 Charts“, written by Professor Scott Galloway (2022©).  The book is about the current (as of 2022) state / condition of the United States of America written in the form of a page of text with an “issue” and then a supporting “graph / chart” on the facing page.
I have been following Galloway for over a year on YouTube with his various podcasts and interviews as a guest on other vlogs and TV shows I also follow.  He is almost always interesting even when I don’t always agree with his premise or his suggested solution – although, usually I do.
So, what’s the point of this book?  America has lost its way – socially, politically and economically.  Young American males are confused about their role(s) in our society.  They are increasing less educated, isolated socially / emotionally, and they have an increasing tendency towards violence (specifically gun violence).  The wealthiest 1% of the population have taken over (the government and big corporations) and are using their wealth and position of power to increase both (wealth and power) to the detriment of the American “Middle Class”.  Americans spend more on health care and get “poorer / less” good health results.  And, America spends more on national defense than the next ten countries COMBINED and other than complete destruction of the planet, it is not clear our military is better off for the absolute dollar amount or percent of GDP spent.  He then finishes with generic proposals for “solutions”:  increase taxes on the wealthy, lower education costs (particularly higher and continuing education) for everyone, spend better on the military, encourage vocational training, and increase business regulation (particularly on “social” networking companies).  The problem – of course – is the solutions are pretty much “wave your hand” and “make it so”, instead of any concrete proposal of how to pass a law to make any of this happen.
Now, all of these things are theoretically “possible” to correct.  But, individually and collectively they are virtually impossible.  This is partially because we lack the social and political will to make ANY of the changes and partially because to make any of them would also be to risk facing the law of unintended consequences.  You can have a nationwide phone system, but in exchange for cheaper and more convenient communication you’ll surrender a great deal of your privacy.  You can have a mobile phone, but you’ll give corporations and the government the ability to track every step you take when you have it on your person and every statement you or anyone near you makes in conversation.
Galloway’s general suggestions are just that:  general.  Will they work?  Some, probably, partially…  But what are the unintended consequences of doing nothing?  We may find many of those would be worse than the conditions we have now, but we won’t ever know if we don’t make the decision to acknowledge we have problems and then DO something about them.  Are you “really” adrift if your choice was to refuse to acknowledge something is not working (or is harmful to society) and so continue to do nothing?
Bottom line:  This book is an easy read with an interesting presentation of some of the ills facing American society, but it doesn’t offer any practical procedure or steps to address and / or correct any of the issues.
Final recommendation:  High moderate recommendation.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who has lived under a rock for the last thirty years or if you’ve been subject to the lies offered as “news” on the Fox News channel for any period of time exceeding a combined total of twelve months during the last thirty years.  Basically, that’s about 80-85% of the American population.   Unfortunately, for anyone who has made more than the slightest effort to stay informed by facts and real news about current events, this book has very little new to say.  Its value is in the presentation of this information in one place.  I’m not saying other books haven’t done the same or done it better, just that this book is easily readable and the charts are accessible.  There is also a substantial “Notes” section for further investigation.
Final Note:  This book was “current” as of its publication date.  It is no longer.  The Trump (II) Presidential Administration has been in power for almost a full year and they have chosen to implement the opposite of almost every one of Prof. Holloway’s limited suggestions.  They have virtually declared war on immigration to the United States;  they are decreasing taxes on the wealthy and paying for it by increasing taxes on the middle class and poor;  they are increasing the cost of education and decreasing its quality;  they are decreasing the regulation of business in general and social media, insurance industries, and petrochemical companies in particular.  And, the list goes on…
And lest I forget to mention, this is one of a couple of books my wife bought me for Christmas.  Thanks dear, this book brought me a several hours of enjoyable reading and reflective thought!!
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Click here (8 January) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Tell Me: Where Do The Children Play?

“Harold and Maude” (1971) — movie review
Today’s review is for the dark romantic comedy “Harold and Maude” (1971), directed by Hal Ashby and starring Bud Cort as Harold Chasen (a morbid, death-obsessed young man staging elaborate fake suicides to shock his detached mother), Ruth Gordon as Maude (an eccentric, life-embracing octogenarian who teaches Harold joy and spontaneity), Vivian Pickles as Mrs. Chasen (Harold’s controlling mother, intent on arranging his future), Cyril Cusack as Glaucus (a gentle artist friend of Maude), Charles Tyner as the exasperated psychiatrist, and Ellen Geer as one of Harold’s would-be fiancées.  The ensemble is rounded out by Cat Stevens’ music, which functions almost as a character itself, underscoring the film’s existential themes.
Background:  I had heard about this movie back in the day, but have never seen it.  No particular reason, but it doesn’t “sound” like (a “dark, romantic comedy”)  the kind of movie I would have been interest in back then (in my teens).  As (almost) always though, I would have given it positive points for having been filmed in the San Francisco Bay Area.  LoL.  Released in December 1971, “Harold and Maude” was initially a box-office disappointment but grew into a cult classic through midnight screenings and word of mouth.  With a modest budget of about $1.2 million, it eventually became one of Paramount’s most enduring catalog titles.  The film earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor (Bud Cort) and Best Actress (Ruth Gordon) in a Comedy or Musical, and a BAFTA nomination for Cort as Most Promising Newcomer.  In 1974, it won the Golden Spike for Best Film at the Valladolid International Film Festival.  In 1997, it was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry, cementing its historic significance as a daring exploration of taboo romance and existential comedy.
Plot:  Harold Chasen, a wealthy but emotionally stifled young man, spends his days attending funerals and staging mock suicides to provoke his mother.  At one funeral, he meets Maude, a free-spirited 79-year-old woman who lives unconventionally, stealing cars, planting trees, and embracing life with gusto.  Their unlikely friendship blossoms into romance, challenging Harold’s obsession with death and his mother’s rigid expectations.  As Harold learns to embrace life through Maude’s philosophy, the film builds toward a bittersweet climax that underscores the fleeting nature of love and the enduring power of joy.
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes;  quirky and heartfelt;  simple but effective;  a few;  yes.
Any Good?  Yes.  “Harold and Maude” is a bold and very unconventional love story that blends dark humor with existential reflection.  It challenges social norms and offers an thoughtful meditation on mortality and meaning.
Acting:  Bud Cort embodies Harold’s awkward morbidity with deadpan precision, while Ruth Gordon radiates warmth, mischief, and vitality as Maude.  Their chemistry is improbable yet present (and even magnetic), anchoring the film’s emotional core.  Vivian Pickles delivers biting satire as Harold’s mother, and the supporting cast adds texture to Harold’s world.  Gordon’s performance, in particular, elevates the film into something memorable.
Filming / FX:  Hal Ashby’s direction is understated, allowing the eccentric characters to shine.  John Alonzo’s cinematography captures both sterile upper-class interiors and the liberating openness of Maude’s world.  The editing balances gallows humor with tender moments.  Cat Stevens’ soundtrack — including “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out” — provides emotional resonance, becoming inseparable from the film’s identity.
Problems:  A few.  The film’s dark humor and taboo romance may alienate some viewers, particularly in its frank depiction of an age-gap relationship.  The pacing occasionally drags, and Harold’s staged suicides, while satirical, become repetitive.  Yet these quirks are part of the film’s charm.  Note:  This is not a film to view if you have your own issues with suicide or thoughts of “self-harm”.
Did I Enjoy the Film?  Yes.  “Harold and Maude” is funny and poignant, and it will probably linger for some days after viewing.  Its blend of absurdity and sincerity makes it one of the most distinctive romantic comedies I’ve ever seen.
Final Recommendation:  Strong to High recommendation.  “Harold and Maude” is a landmark cult classic, preserved in the National Film Registry and celebrated for its daring exploration of love, death, and freedom.  Rated PG for thematic elements, it remains a film that asks audiences to reconsider what it means to truly live.  Watch it for Gordon’s luminous performance, Cort’s deadpan morbidity, and Cat Stevens’ unforgettable soundtrack.
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Click here (8 January) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Living Within You

What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.
—     Henry David Thoreau
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Click here (8 January) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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