I recently shared a commentary on my Facebook profile regarding an observation when seeing the movie 'Taking Woodstock' - I had found the word of mouth sharing of the event fascinating given the timeframe: the lack of Internet, email, Twitter, no social networking tools of any kind. Yet the sheer numbers and passion of the people who gathered for Woodstock was a sight to behold.
I had asked the question "why is it so hard in today's world to garner that same type of mobilization and passion?" We have as many passionate people today as back then and God knows there are a ton of heart wrenching causes. A friend of mine answered that questions in a few simple words:
"It's because we no longer have a sense of community." and she is right.
This piece I saw in the Sept 21 issue of Time hit a nerve, while the focus of the article speaks towards consumerism it would seem that this particular action of consumerism has brought people together. When the Time poll concluded that 68% of Americans "think they do not live up to their responsibilities as citizens" - I had to wonder, what does that mean?
Perhaps we are not passionate about our responsibilities or is it we are afraid to speak out for fear we won't be perceived well or not "politically correct". I'm not sure what that means anymore and maybe that's part of the problem, what is bringing us together? What is galvanizing us? What is keeping us from being stronger?
I recently saw Gallagher on his "Stuck in the 60's" tour http://www.gallaghersmash.com/ at 63 he is as witty and bright as ever and exercising freedom of speech to a brand new generation. So in the words of the "smartest man alive" : Freedom of speech includes volume.
That's right my bald headed friend: Crank it up, and let's get responsible in style!
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