January 2012. The Durant’s, Will and Ariel (both dead), wrote the magnificent “The Story of Civilization” series, one of which was “The Age of Reason Begins.” The world and America have seen many ages, and now the world is witness to America’s Age of Just Being and Nothingness, which, sadly, is not an extension of the Age of Reason. And after considering this Age of Just Being and Nothingness one must ask: Is that all there is? Is America’s Age of Just Being and Nothingness the final stamp on over 200 years of American history? After all, Rome had its last act before the barbarians came on stage. Is our Age of Just Being and Nothingness our final act?
But what precisely is this Age of Just Being and Nothingness?
Recently I read a piece about a new start-up called Klout (You know, Clout with a “K.” Klever, yes?). This Klout measures one’s appeal derived from one’s popularity based on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. At any rate, we are told that Lady Gaga has one of the highest, if not the highest, Klout rating. Gaga has a 93 or so, and her Klout is higher than the President. Of course! After all, why follow substance when one can follow a celebrity? Consider New York City’s annoying mayor, Emperor Bonaparte Bloomberg. On New Year’s Eve last Emperor Bonberg chose the annoying Lady Nuisance to push the button to drop the ball. In New York City, with all its accomplished individuals, Bloomy chose an annoying celeb. Such is the Age of Just Being and Nothingness-worship the shallow.
America’s Age of Just Being and Nothingness is an age driven largely by celebrity, by gadgets, and by social media. It is an age which places a high premium on being seen. Being seen on some screen or other. Being seen and going viral. Klout. Nothing but just being; just nothingness and more nothingness...
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