James Nowlan
Stop the world, I want to get off
By Jim Nowlan
Even though we are overall much better off than our grandparents in wealth, health and lifespan, many of us are unsettled, deeply concerned and even jittery about how the movie of life is playing out. Stop the world, I say, I want to get off.
First, some context. From reptiles to humans, we animals are continually scanning the horizon for threats and opportunities. We absolutely crave information. That is why, according to research firm Statista, Americans on average spend four or more hours a day on our smartphones. Underneath, it’s a survival thing.
When television came into our homes post-World War II, the world shrank. Prior to that, we lived our lives largely confined, somewhat comfortably, to our own communities. By printed, rather impersonal newspapers we heard about earth-shaking events such as Krakatoa (1883) and recurrent wars in Europe.
Today, thousands of satellites beam happenings worldwide to our pockets and wrists almost simultaneously, overloading our brains with mayhem and scary possibilities. Unsettling.
Second, the rate of change in society has been accelerating lickety-split (a technical term). For most of human history, nothing, or very little, changed in the life span of most humans. Then, with the Renaissance in the 14-15th centuries, the Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, flight, and radio-TV, change took off. Personal computers are only a few decades old (remember the Apple computer of the 1980s?), and Facebook has been with us less than 20 years.
Third, the nano-world of science is incomprehensible to me, and thus unsettling. One thousand cells can sit side by side on a gossamer hair on the back of your hand, and within each cell is six miles of spooled DNA! And scientists can now, with some precision, snip into that coil of DNA, take out and replace defective genes. Magic.
Fourth, information sells. After all, social media and advertisers are in the eyeball business. So, the social media platforms suck us into scrolling through our devices even more of the time.
When it comes to information, fear trumps nice every time. Again, it’s a survival thing. For social media, this means, for reassurance, that on social media we tend to retreat into echo chambers of like-minded people. We come to fear and loathe those who don’t agree with us. We call it polarization.
Stop the world, I want to get off. But we can’t. So, what to do? What might calm the waters (and relieve my jitters)?
Many of us retreat to Florida and try to forget about all this. We love our grandchildren, we declare, yet leave what we have wrought for them to wrestle with.
We could use, and might follow, a charismatic leader who would take us out of this scary morass. Yet, such captivating leaders can be either good or evil, as we have seen through history.
Or we could use a secular Great Awakening, such as the two, broad, religious revivals of spirit in early American history.
Until recent years, I had hoped that Colin Powell might be that leader who would awaken the better angels of our nature. But it wasn’t to be, and I can’t think of anyone else of that reassuring, dignified and calm stature.
So, the opposite of giving up is “pitching in” to address our problems. We could start a new political party, which would be radical in the sense that its mantra would be, simply, “settle down, we can handle this, together.”
My cynical, practical friends who think they know much about politics would say that musings such as these are pure fantasy, yet they have nothing to offer in rejoinder, other than more cynicism.
I keep wrestling with this. We can’t step off the world, and we can’t give up.
James Nowlan is a retired professor of political science and former Illinois state legislator, agency director and aide to three un-indicted Illinois governors. He lives in Princeton, Ill.
Local News
Palos Heights recognizes volunteers
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights handed out awards last week recognizing the services provided by volunteers through the years. The proclamations, which were read aloud during the city council meeting April 16, were a testament to the city’s volunteers and were handed out as part of Volunteer Recognition Week. Volunteers were cited for…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
SD218 puts on annual Arts Extravaganza
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The arts have become a major portion of the curriculum Community High School District 218. Showcasing those many talents, the Friends of CHSD 218’s Education Foundation proudly hosted its 15th annual Arts Extravaganza on April 5 at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. “The Arts Extravaganza is a great event…
Gaming licenses to be tougher to get in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva It’s going to take longer to receive gaming licenses in Orland Park. The village board passed an ordinance April 15 that would allow table service businesses open at least 36 consecutive months to apply rather than the previous 18 months, and extended the probationary period to 18 months instead of…
Palos Park passes $16 million budget
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Palos Park Village Council approved the 2024-25 budget, which totals a little more than $16.3 million at the April 22 village council meeting. According to village documents, it represented an increase of a shade over $603,000 from last year. The village is expecting $13.4 million in revenue and $1.86…
Fire damages Al Bahaar Restaurant in Orland Park
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Orland Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a fire Monday evening at the Al Bahaar Restaurant, 39 Orland Square Dr. At first, restaurant owners suspected the fire alarm was triggered by a malfunction, but as firefighters inspected the restaurant to reset the fire alarm, they detected a burning smell. “What…
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
‘Brazen and cowardly’: Police, community outraged by officer’s slaying
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Police and others across the Southwest Side reacted with outrage this week over the slaying of a Chicago Police officer in the early morning hours on Sunday. Officer Luis M. Huesca was shot to death on the street in the 3100 block of West 56th Street at 2:53 a.m.…
Neighbors
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Pickleball courts coming to Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There will finally be outdoor pickleball in Palos Park. In a process that went longer than anticipated, the Palos Park Village Council was able give the green light to get a pickleball project started on the Village Green. The council voted April 8 to award the contract to U.S. Tennis…
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Boy Scouts collecting tattered flags for disposal
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Goodbye April, hello May. Our American Flag, the symbol of our country, should always be treated with respect. But after bearing Chicago’s brutal winters and hot blazing summers along with being in the…
Oak Lawn trustee says village needs state grocery tax
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An Oak Lawn trustee said that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate the state’s grocery tax will be costly for the village. Trustee William “Bud” Stalker (5th), accompanied by Mayor Terry Vorderer, recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Springfield where they learned more about the governor’s proposal to eliminate…