In Nothing We Trust 910
Hugh Pickens writes "Ron Fournier and Sophie Quinton write in the National Journal that seven in 10 Americans believe that the country is on the wrong track; eight in 10 are dissatisfied with the way the nation is being governed, only 23 percent have confidence in banks, and just 19 percent have confidence in big business. Less than half the population expresses "a great deal" of confidence in the public-school system or organized religion. 'We have lost our gods,' says Laura Hansen. 'We've lost it—that basic sense of trust and confidence—in everything.' Humans are coded to create communities, and communities beget institutions. What if, in the future, they don't? People could disconnect, refocus inward, and turn away from their social contract. Already, many are losing trust. If society can't promise benefits for joining it, its members may no longer feel bound to follow its rules. But history reminds us that America's leaders can draw the nation together to solve problems. At a moment of gaping income inequality, when the country was turbulently transitioning from a farm economy to a factory one, President Theodore Roosevelt reminded Americans, 'To us, as a people, it has been granted to lay the foundations of our national life.' At the height of the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt chastised the business and political leaders who had led the country into ruin. 'These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men,' said FDR. 'Restoration calls, however, not for changes in ethics alone. This Nation asks for action, and action now.'"
I believe every word of this ... (Score:5, Funny)
... after all, if I can't trust Slashdot, who can I trust?
Re:Not natural (Score:5, Funny)
Pray do tell good sir, whom doth inherit this sinister title?
The Spanish Inquisition!
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.
Re:I believe every word of this ... (Score:5, Funny)
Ask not what Slashdot can do for you, but what you can do for Slashdot.
Answer :) Re:Why is this here? (Score:5, Funny)
Why is this article here?
It's here because the robot grader gave it an A+.
"... Journal ... wrong ... big ... public-school ... disconnect ... solve problems ... ruin ... worth all they cost ... action ..."
Yup, with those keywords it's definitely /. material.
And now, ladies and gentlebeings, we now have an answer to the age old question, How good are robo-graders? [slashdot.org]
Re:Sixty-nine percent (Score:5, Funny)
Yea. Given the choice of Lovecraftian horrors, I vote for Narlyhotep over Cthulhu every time. I know they say Narlyhotep is a dirty african socialist, but he just wants society to exist so we can worship at his yellow robed feet. And Cthulhu is basically running on the platform of "vote for me and I will eat you all". And don't even get me started on Azathoth, sure it claims to be a viable alternative, but then madness and all you can do is chant "vote Azathoth 2012!" whenever anyone expresses the slightest dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Re:Thanks, media (Score:3, Funny)
It is a mark of maturity to know that the only way to win such a game is to not play it at all.
Whoops, I thought we were supposed to sell both sides inflammatory talking points with anecdotal evidence so we can steal from them while they're distracted :x
Re:The Fourth Turning (Score:5, Funny)
Discuss.
This is a tech site. It's spelled Forth [forth.org].
Re:Why is this here? (Score:5, Funny)
Hey, does anybody remember when there used to be tech stories on slashdot?
Yes, I do, but that's what brought us an endless stream of articles about bitcoin. Give me the topic in TFA over that any day.
Re:I believe every word of this ... (Score:5, Funny)
For Slashdot so loved us that he gave his one and only Slashdot, that whoever believes in Slashdot shall not perish but have eternal life.