Date:  Thu, 23 Oct 1997 14:03:18 -0500
From:  Greg Pulliam <gpulliam[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]CHARLIE.CNS.IIT.EDU>
Subject: Re: the world is going to the currs

I think what a lot of folks see as a politeness decline has more to do with
a change in so-called "developed" societies. With the information age so
much upon us (cable/satellite tv, internet, etc.), we are more and more
able to be 'alone' in our homes and yet not feel out of touch. On our
overcrowded highways and streets, we are 'alone' in our cars.

It is not really surprising that conventions which developed over many
years to help us negotiate interpersonally with each other might atrophy
somewhat in our current situtation.

I'm with Ron,though, in refusing to see change as decline. Things are
changing, and we can grow older and more resentful and crotchety because of
it, or we can be more like those "cool" "older" folks all of us knew when
we were very young--the ones who didn't automatically reject our speech,
ways, and interests just because ours were different from theirs--and (no
apologies to Nissan) enjoy the ride.


Gregory J. Pulliam
Illinois Institute of Technology
Lewis Department of Humanities
Chicago, IL  60616
gpulliam[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]charlie.cns.iit.edu