Reply #286: Accountability. [View All]

[Gregorian]

I've got to edit this post. I was sitting here criticizing myself for sounding like I have an answer. And realizing that even the most intelligent kids in my high school were the ones doing the most damage around the community. Hell, even I broke and entered once. But I was so good at it, I didn't damage a thing, and even broke and entered to return the item when I was done. One of my friends told me recently that he believes he did a million dollars of damage in our town. I was totally blown away. Now he's a renowned musician and recording studio owner in San Francisco.

After saying all of that, I see an answer. Accountability. It's not something you get with big communities. Most of my problem answering posts come back to size. In smaller communities you don't do something without everyone knowing about it. I think that is what we're seeing. Fast paced, large communities. Kids can hide their damage and get away with it. The rest of my post I think also plays a part in keeping this under control.






Yes, these kids are assholes. Kids are full of energy, time, need to experience. And on and on. And yes, these kids are assholes. Just like the kids I grew up with. Just like George Bush.

I even did a little damage in my day. Very little. I was busy. I grew up in an intelligent neighborhood. People had goals and values. Not rules. We were guided, not caged.

I was far from perfect. But like these kids, I was angry with this society. And I was bored. But I was pushed to participate in a lot more than these kids are. Hospital volunteering, musical groups, boy scouts. I hardly had a moment of free time. All of my summers were volunteering at the local vets hospital. Once in a while I think of what I missed. Those beach parties. Bonding with my peers. And you know what? I didn't miss anything. I ended up watching open heart and autopsies. Not for everyone. But better than driving around drunk.

There is an answer. But the first step is to ask questions. It's not something we do in this society. Nobody asks. They just open a jail cell door.

I know Socaldem knows better. My first thought when I read her subject was almost her photo. My second thought was "why?".

We've put very little into this society that isn't profit driven. Yes, kids are kids. But that's only at first glance.