Cutting Edge Computing

I Love What America Can Become September 22, 2021

Yes, another off-topic post.  But I don’t mind my views and personalities to come out on occasion.

I have had an interesting ride in these 60-odd years.  I have seen much in that time, and my own attitudes have changed as I understand more.  I grew up in a blue collar union household, and railed against it, primarily because I fervently believed that pay and promotions shouldn’t be defined strictly by seniority.

Well, I got educated, and educated some more (three masters degrees and some PhD work), and did reasonably well for myself.  But as I got older, I found my thoughts drifting back toward those blue collar roots.  There was significant upheaval in the world of work; I tell those who serve me that they work for a living, possibly unlike me.

I think we need the fresh ideas and perspectives that immigrants bring.  My own grandparents came through Ellis Island, and while they were largely dirt farmers and coal miners, their children moved on to significant contributors to society and the economy.  I don’t care where they come from; our culture will help them achieve the greatness that is almost certainly within them.

So back to America.  I am unhappy that we can’t treat all men and women equally, and there seems to be a significant faction that wants America to become a redux of the Donna Reed Show, or Leave it to Beaver.  Those times are long gone, and while they reflected society at the time, society has changed.  I think perhaps for the better, because we cannot stay stagnant.  We will continue to change, whether we want to or not.

I sometimes despair that we won’t overcome those 1950s attitudes.  I have good friends, intelligent and thoughtful friends, whose world view is firmly rooted in that era.  There seem to be others who have to be dragged kicking and screaming out of that era.

I look forward to the surprises that the future holds.  I can’t wait.