06/22/05

Every generation reaches a point where it starts grousing about 'these kids today' and how much better things were in the good old days. Having reached my ripe old 30s, I guess it's my turn. ... But it isn't just the kids today that disturb me; it's also their parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The general coarsening of society seems to be creeping upon us. Modern car culture has brought along with it a host of unpleasant behavior that didn't always come with the territory. Everyone enjoys turning up the car stereo and singing along to their favorite tunes, but the ear-drum-shattering volumes emanating from today's vehicles are beyond the pale. It doesn't matter if it's 7 am on Sunday or 11 pm on Tuesday; stereo speakers must be pounding at all times of day and night. ... The only saving grace is that a whole generation will soon go deaf...

http://tinyurl.com/95uhn

from San Francisco Chronicle, by Cinnamon Stillwell


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp