If you think we've moved forward all these years, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Let's take a closer look at the strange phenomenon occurring before our eyes where cultural values, political correctness, and a liberal agenda seem to have overshadowed common sense, stifled free speech, and left personal responsibility in the dust. This saga begins with the glorified notion of what's falsely labeled as fairness in society. Fast forward to the present day, where individual excellence seems to be a relic of the past.
The saga of cultural progression is interesting fodder. People clamored for social changes, starting with the baby boomers who raised eyebrows with their long hair and anti-establishment anthems. Fast forward to today, where we witness a paradox—a society so overly focused on 'acceptance' that it's unwilling to acknowledge the value of an opposing viewpoint. We’re trapped in echo chambers, only validating thoughts that reinforce our beliefs, ignoring the diverse beauty of genuine discourse.
Let's consider free speech, for instance. Once the proud backbone of the democratic process, free speech now finds itself looking over its shoulder. All these years, from the rousing speeches of the American Revolution to vibrant town halls, people spoke their minds. But today, universities enforcing 'safe spaces' and 'trigger warnings' have smothered the robust exchange of ideas. Apparently, shielding feelings now trumps fostering understanding. Honor has been replaced by the need to 'feel good,' a hollow victory.
Now we come to the curious case of personal responsibility. Remember the time when meritocracy reigned supreme and a person stood by their choices, good or bad? These days, self-justification and evading blame seem to be the trend. It's all about scapegoating—companies blame society, students blame the education system, and politicians, well, they blame each other. All these years later, we deserve a playback of accountability.
It's time we talk about a favorite modern obsession: virtue signaling pretends to hold value. In the digital age, where outrage can easily be manufactured, social media rewards the facade of righteousness more than the substance of real actions. We've all seen it, the quick tweets or posts proclaiming morality, all the while doing absolutely nothing tangible to solve the issues at hand. All these years, the tangible act of engaging in meaningful efforts has been replaced by the hollow digital 'pat on the back.'
All these years, one would think economic wisdom would improve. Yet, we see yon fantasies of socialist ideas gaining traction, as if creating wealth from a magic hat. Countless historical lessons on the failures of socialism seem to fall on deaf ears. Instead of promoting self-reliance and hard work, these ideas prefer state dependency, effectively trapping people in a cycle of mediocrity and entitlement. Socialism is a siren song with a chorus that promises fairness but delivers stagnation.
Coming to the arts and entertainment industry, once a bastion of creativity and bold storytelling, it has now become battlegrounds of ideological conformity. Hollywood churns out endless remakes or sequels, fueling nostalgia while lacking the courage to create refreshing narratives that challenge mainstream notions. The romance of unique storytelling is replaced by formulaic plots designed to not offend. Art was meant to provoke thought, not sterilize it.
All these years later, public education seems to have transformed from a center of learning into a lab of indoctrination. Instead of teaching students how to think critically, it sometimes feels like an exercise in telling them what to think. Resolution of historical complexities is skipped for simplistic narratives, and enriching debates are exchanged for adherence to group-think tendencies. Critical thinking, once the cornerstone of education, seems abandoned for conformist thought.
It's almost like society has regressed all these years, while clinging to the facade of progress. The sad truth is, it’s not about old versus new, but about truth and oblivion. Our world needs less posturing and more genuine actions that reflect commitment to enduring values. Let’s strip the masks and get back to the core of what makes for authentic progression. Self-discovery, free thought, merit-based achievements, personal accountability, and genuine dialogue are the real markers of progress across all these years.