O Tempora!

Please forgive my raspy voice. I am currently battling a seasonal affliction, but the afflictions I wish to address today are the peoples' shortsightedness; their ability to forget recent lessons; and critical thinking.

Is technology to blame? Perhaps, as many say, the problem lies with the administration behind us, though as often as the blame is laid upon it the tit for tat seems to be a memory. Yes, a memory for a blame, "It'll cost you a buck" they say (though I suspect in this age that a "buck" is more like a billion). My memory is far less affected by what some call a madness, and I recall frequent outcries that we were forced into accepting a bill simply because something needs to be done soon. And what, if you can recall, was the consequence of that previous bill? A deepening recession. I listen to the rhetoric coming from the new administration (I am not fawning) and it sounds much like that of its predecessor. "We need to pass this bill as soon as possible, to uphold and reignite the failing economy (true this is not a verbatim quote, but rather close I suspect)."
The previous administration proposed a bill of unprecedented amounts, then some earmarks were attached, then it was passed without really knowing what it would do. Sure, some thought it would lift the banking system and cause a miraculous recovery. The same is true now, except the aim is creating jobs, but the bill is filled with earmarks that don't really create jobs. I heard the Press Secretary say that people were complaining about 2 hundreths of one percent, but went on to say, effectively that 550 billion of this 850 billion dollar bill was aimed at creating jobs. "What is the other 300 billion for? You know, that 2 hundreths of one percent that actually equates to 35%.

Side note: I remember, during the election, at a particular debate (the third as I recall), both candidates being asked if they thought that the econimic crises would get worse before it got better. Sadly, both said no, knowing full well that it would (If myself and many of my fellow commonman could see it, they had to also). Now, he says, it will get worse before it gets better, and uses the enormity of the task, and plays upon the fears (sound familiar) to pass spending that is not needed and is not warranted- all of which comes at your expense, and your childrens' expense, and the expense of your privacy (the latter being connected to the medical records database portion of the bill). Please open your eyes and see what is being done.

Now, to critical thinking: I read today, on one of my favorite scientific sites (physorg.com) that a recent study out of UCLA states that " our skills in critical thinking and analysis have declined..." This is attributed to the rise in technology and visual communication. I have to agree that I concur with the results of this study, and can see its unfortunate affects on society. If only people would think critically and use their skill of analysis, perhaps we would be in a better place. I highly suggest this article to anyone who would read it. Here is the link:

http://www.physorg.com/news152360207.html