By my estimation, the Crisis began in 2005, with Hurricane Katrina as a marker if not the Catalyst. That would mean that the oldest a Homelander could be is 10 years old (2012-2005+3). If you think the start was 2008's financial meltdown, the oldest would be 7.
But it seems like young people these days are being seen less as Heroes than they use to be. A college student on trial for "bias intimidation," a 10-year-old girl killed in a fight with another girl - Occupy activists treated less as saviors and more as bums. Overall, it's feeling like the Adaptives are taking the stage, except (as noted above) it's too early for that.
There are periods in life where children have to rebel just to distinguish themselves from their parents. Even though it's natural it's not easy to watch or to be involved with them at those times. Perhaps Millenials are just entering a "difficult stage" between hope for the future and guardians of our way of life.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Feature
The crazy times of the Crisis - of trying to decide which way to zig when the world is zagging, of living in the proverbial "interesting times" - gave this recent insight:
Adaptives and Prophets will look at the world of the First Turning and say "It's boring and safe and every day is the same!"
Reactives and Heroes will reply "Yes! That's the point!"
Adaptives and Prophets will look at the world of the First Turning and say "It's boring and safe and every day is the same!"
Reactives and Heroes will reply "Yes! That's the point!"
Monday, February 13, 2012
Whitney
What can you say: it's not exactly a shock that Whitney Houston died at a relatively early age. Substance abuse does that to a body, and once it gets to a certain point it's just a matter of time. I wonder that people are calling it a "tragedy," even, since that carries the implication that it's unexpected.
Every generation has its burdens to bear. Civics take the brunt of the dying in the Crisis, and Adaptives are overshadowed by it their whole lives. Prophets have grand ideas and a goal of remaking the entire world that, mostly, doesn't quite happen. Reactives end up known for these notable artistes that,well, almost had it all.
Every generation has its burdens to bear. Civics take the brunt of the dying in the Crisis, and Adaptives are overshadowed by it their whole lives. Prophets have grand ideas and a goal of remaking the entire world that, mostly, doesn't quite happen. Reactives end up known for these notable artistes that,well, almost had it all.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Polonius
Polonius, the king's counsellor from Shakespeare's "Hamlet," appears to me to be a Reactive. Among the reasons (which I may come back to) fare:
-- A person of his age at the time the play was written would have been a Reactive, raised during the Reformation.
-- Polonius is often said to be based on William Cecil Burghley, a (Reactive) counsellor to (also Reactive) Queen Elizabeth.
One problem is the traditional portrayal of Polonius as a sycophantic buffoon. This isn't easily squared with the practical attributes associated with the Nomad archetype. There are ways to play him that make this quite reasonable, though, especially when the Act II scene with Reynaldo is included. His surveillance of his son Laertes shows that he is very careful with those close to him, and able to plan an eminently practical method of determining just what is happening in Paris.
Except, of course, that halfway though a sentence he loses his train of though and has to ask Reynaldo to remind him where he was. One could treat this as another bit of trickery on his part, making sure that Reynaldo is paying attention. I might have said so myself ... Until yesterday, when exactly that happened to me while trying to explain How Something Works. So now, I'd have to say that it should be played straight. It's just an example of what sometimes happens when you are Of a Certain Age. As we all are, eventually.
-- A person of his age at the time the play was written would have been a Reactive, raised during the Reformation.
-- Polonius is often said to be based on William Cecil Burghley, a (Reactive) counsellor to (also Reactive) Queen Elizabeth.
One problem is the traditional portrayal of Polonius as a sycophantic buffoon. This isn't easily squared with the practical attributes associated with the Nomad archetype. There are ways to play him that make this quite reasonable, though, especially when the Act II scene with Reynaldo is included. His surveillance of his son Laertes shows that he is very careful with those close to him, and able to plan an eminently practical method of determining just what is happening in Paris.
Except, of course, that halfway though a sentence he loses his train of though and has to ask Reynaldo to remind him where he was. One could treat this as another bit of trickery on his part, making sure that Reynaldo is paying attention. I might have said so myself ... Until yesterday, when exactly that happened to me while trying to explain How Something Works. So now, I'd have to say that it should be played straight. It's just an example of what sometimes happens when you are Of a Certain Age. As we all are, eventually.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Moonbase
A bit late on this but: Sorry Newt, a lunar base is very unlikely in your lifetime.
During the waning days of the Third Turning, it was just barely possible IF a prize (like a MUCH larger X-Prize) had been available. Dr. Pournelle's 30 people / 3 years / $10 billion could have done it. Just imagine trying to suggest an amount like that now. We have larger problems to deal with which will prevent either party from being able to move it forward in that form.
The alternative is a First Turning project comparable to Apollo or the Transcontinental Railroad. Even assuming a 2005 start to the 4T, we're at least 15 years from being able to start that.
"Ah," I hear you say, "The Transcontinental Railroad was built during the American Civil War, so why couldn't it happen now?" Certainly that could happen (although it wasn't finished until several years after) if there's some reason that a lunar base helps in this 4T. The only hypothetical I can imagine for that involves an energy war where Solar Power Satellites become worthwhile. Not saying it couldn't happen, just seems really unlikely. Even that would have to wait until the peak of the Crisis, which might be too late for Mr. Gingrich.
During the waning days of the Third Turning, it was just barely possible IF a prize (like a MUCH larger X-Prize) had been available. Dr. Pournelle's 30 people / 3 years / $10 billion could have done it. Just imagine trying to suggest an amount like that now. We have larger problems to deal with which will prevent either party from being able to move it forward in that form.
The alternative is a First Turning project comparable to Apollo or the Transcontinental Railroad. Even assuming a 2005 start to the 4T, we're at least 15 years from being able to start that.
"Ah," I hear you say, "The Transcontinental Railroad was built during the American Civil War, so why couldn't it happen now?" Certainly that could happen (although it wasn't finished until several years after) if there's some reason that a lunar base helps in this 4T. The only hypothetical I can imagine for that involves an energy war where Solar Power Satellites become worthwhile. Not saying it couldn't happen, just seems really unlikely. Even that would have to wait until the peak of the Crisis, which might be too late for Mr. Gingrich.
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