Where Extraordinary and Unconventional Topics Take Center Stage!
S For Statistics
The Great American Divide: New Poll Reveals Shift in Core Values and Beliefs Across Generations and Political Parties
A recent Wall Street Journal-NORC poll has shed light on the generational and political divides that are reshaping the core values of our nation. The combined toll of political division, COVID, and low economic confidence has caused a startling effect on our priorities.
According to the poll, patriotism, religious faith, having children, and other priorities that helped define the national character for generations are receding in importance to Americans. Tolerance for others, which was deemed very important by 80% of Americans just four years ago, has fallen to 58%.
The poll surveyed 1,019 adults and found that only 1% described the state of the nation's economy as "excellent." Additionally, 56% believe that a four-year college degree is not worth the cost because people often graduate without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt. And 33% said they have very little or no confidence in public schools.
Comparing the findings to a Journal/NBC poll from 25 years ago in 1998, there have been tectonic shifts in our priorities. Patriotism has dropped from 70% to 38%, religion from 62% to 39%, having children from 59% to 30%, community involvement from 47% to 27%, and money from 31% to 43%.
These changes quantify a generational and political divide that is causing a rot at the very soul of our nation. As we continue to grapple with these issues, it's important to remember the core values that make us who we are and strive to build a better future for all.
U For Unique
A Grave New World: Human Composting Takes Root as an Earth-Friendly Afterlife Option
Well, it seems that even in death, we can be environmentally conscious. Six states in the US have legalized human composting, turning it into a new industry targeting the climate-conscious set. Who knew that we could become soil for gardening or forests?
Seattle-based startup Recompose is leading the charge in this afterlife care, with over 250 individuals transformed so far and more than 1,300 people signed up for composting when they die. They're even looking to raise $5 million in a crowdfunding round, having already raised $16.75 million through traditional venture capital funding rounds.
Sure, it may be more expensive than cremation, but it's cheaper than burial, with Recompose charging $7,000 for pickup, composting, and soil donation. And according to Recompose founder and CEO Katrina Spade, human composting saves about 1.2 metric tons of carbon compared to traditional burial or cremation.
Who knows, maybe in the future, we'll have entire forests made up of people. It's a strange thought, but it's an innovative solution to an environmental problem. So, let's embrace this new industry and compost ourselves to a better future.
E For Explore
Afrofuturism Takes Center Stage
The National Museum of African American History and Culture's latest exhibit on Afrofuturism just opened last Friday, and it couldn't be more timely. Afrofuturism, a genre that imagines Black people thriving in futuristic worlds, is having a moment in popular culture, with recent movies, literature, and even the food scene embracing the concept.
The exhibit showcases more than 100 objects from music, television, comics, and more, highlighting the genre's roots in the writings of W.E.B. DuBois in the 1800s and its recent popularity in American pop culture. The "History of Black Futures" area explores how enslaved people imagined their futures, while "The New Black Futures" looks at Afrofuturism in the modern era. "Infinite Possibilities" connects Afrofuturism to space, technology, digital activism, and popular media.
The exhibit features several noteworthy items, including Chadwick Boseman's "Black Panther" costume, Octavia Butler's typewriter, George Clinton's wig from Parliament-Funkadelic, and Vernon Reid's guitar. The director of the museum, Kevin Young, describes Afrofuturism as "a mix of celebration and resistance, musicality and theatricality, achievement, and survival."
The genre has become a revolutionary thought in American culture, imagining a world where Black cultures thrive among evolving technology, social practices, and values. Afrofuturism celebrates Black excellence and has long been a mix of celebration and resistance. It is a very exciting time for this genre as American pop culture embraces it in recent years, including Colson Whitehead's Afrofuturist novel, "The Underground Railroad," which won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
In conclusion, if you're looking for an exciting and thought-provoking experience, make sure to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture's Afrofuturism exhibit. The exhibition will be open for a year, and timed passes are required to visit the museum.
‘S For small peeps
Newsies Jr: The Musical
So don’t miss Newsies, Jr. at All Saints! You’ll be doing flips for the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of young newsies in Manhattan. When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsies’ expense, Jack rallies young workers from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right! Adapted especially for young performers, this musical features a Tony Award®-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award®-winner Harvey Fierstein, and includes rousing songs like “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “King of New York.” Newsies JR. is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message perfect for the whole family and every audience.
Friday, March 31 at 7pm and Saturday April 1 at 2pm.
All Saints Catholic School, 139 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851
Thank you for reading the entire list.
See you next Tuesday- Sue
