We've all heard the old adage, "Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: You find the present tense, but the past perfect." Some snarl -- head in the sand! Others smile -- head in the stars! So who's right?
Well of course the question makes no sense, for it has no answer. Our yesterdays are whatever each of us chooses to make of them. For some, they are little tombs housing our disappointments and failures. To these realists, the past is best left in the past. And who can argue with such edgy pragmatism.
But to the nostalgics, the past is a catechism of remembrances too sweet not to re-read. It catalogs the joys of youth and innocence and hope and love and victory back when. Why would anyone wish to banish these from the kingdom of our memory. And while this kingdom isn't for dwelling, it is for visiting. So why seal it up under the lock and key of today's expediencies?
That question is not unlike asking the tourist why he or she is re-visiting the same London and Paris enjoyed so many times before. In the place of places, let me suggest a particular place in time. A time in mid-century America when radio was king of the kingdom. Not high art, but the highest rated form of pop culture during the 30s,40s, and 50s.
Nostalgics like to call it the Golden Age of Radio, for back then it was much more than today's cacophony of fast-talking deejays, breathless news-breaks and under-enuciated traffic reports. It was live music performances ...daily dramas (soaps) and romps (kid shows).... home-waking advice....comedy.... on-location, in-depth news. Not all of the highest quality perhaps, but all of the highest effort and ratings. So high, in fact, that virtually half a nation was listening in all at the same bonding times.
Lest this sound like pointless nostalgia turned to useless sentimentality, let it be known that this age of radio was actually our national morals meter! It helped energize the listeners and the land with a common sense of right and wrong. A lot more mythological than theological, yet a moral energy nevertheless.
And what exactly was that...? Collectively speaking, it included the nationwide conviction that there was good and evil in the world, good eventually prevailed over evil, comedy could be clean, leaders could be respected, governments were more solution than problem, the American work ethic made sense, talent and achievement were worthwhile...honor was not foolish...and foolishness was not honorable.
I've heard some Carpe Diem realists call the energy that was radio back then "corn for the ill-educated!" That, I submit, comes from listening to those old programs with today's ears. Today's more cynical ears which like to call themselves part of a more sophisticated age. Still, I can't help wonder if those nostalgics who collect and play these old radio programs haven't found a wavelength to American morals that today's Wall Street and Washington greed and graft could learn from....
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A couple of things Jack. First I see 10 followers listed and many more blog watchers out there reading your blogs, nodding their heads and leaving. The purpose of a blog is give and take. If we don't respond to you then you might think we don't care. Maybe intimidation enters into the equation for fear we might say something stupid. Well that never stopped me and I hope more of you speak up.
ReplyDeleteSecondly The media, being a tool for the moneymakers, moved right along with the quote uneducated. The listeners got smarter and the media kept pace so nothing changed only names.
Keith, you obviously understand what blogging is supposed to be all about. Interaction! True, it's better in the flesh...but the internet gives folks a chance to do the next best thing. In the process, it not only shortens the distance between us, but also the time. Like you and me -- now here talking almost 50 years later.
ReplyDeletelistening with today's ears can be a mistake made in all sorts of post-hoc judgments about the actions taken by our forebears. you are right: wise to remember the great caution to be had when doing this.
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