Chinese Youth Will Inspire and Inherit the World

Last year at this time the world was watching as China displayed its new image to the world during the Summer Olympics.  I watched most of the coverage and was particularly impressed with some of the feature stories about life in modern China.  This reinforced my opinions about how China has emerged as the world’s leading power – not just economically but socially.  About five years ago I was fortunate to spend a week in China.  This was a life-transforming experience that gave me an awesome appreciation for this values and norms of this ancient society. Since then I have taken many opportunities to talk with Chinese people I encounter on Campus and elsewhere.

In particular, for the past decade I have studied the Millennial Generation  (those born since 1980) as a social movement.  This generation (including my two kids) are going to inherit a world that is a major mess.  Unfortunately, too many American youth have lost much of the passion and power to control the future of the world.  That challenge and opportunity will fall to the youth in other parts of the world (including Asia, Canada and Europe.)  Fortunately, Chinese youth appear ready, willing and able to help pull our world away from the brink of disaster.   Last year I was also fortunate to watch an amazing documentary “Koppel on Discovery: The People’s Republic of Capitalism.” You will find a review of that four-part series, as well as selected Chinese proverbs.

Jim Morrison Urged Us to Break on Through to the Other Side

During his short life, Jim Morrison of the Doors was a role model to men and sex symbol for women.  In this article you will learn about the man, music and messages associated with one of the best Rock bands and political provocateurs we have witnessed. His life was filled with creativity and chaos; along with conflicts and contradictions.   Here you will find a carefully selected set of articles, pix, quotes, lyrics and more.  I hope you will find lessons here and buy some of the MP3 files that are available from the live performances!!  I have had a long random play list going!!  It includes the awesome 2000 Tribute CD entitled “Stoned Immaculate.”

Like many others, he had a major influence on my young life – sparking seeds of rebellion and spirituality that have burned throughout my life.  He tied our generation to that of the beat poets.  He also tied us back to our natural roots and native American heritage.  I also went down the alcohol road between 17 and 24 (1968-1973).  Although I used to pride myself on looking, thinking, and acting like Jim;  I was blessed to not meet his same fate with booze. This marks the third and final volume in my trilogy of tributes (see also my writings on Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.)  I was further blessed to have seen them each perform live in the late sixties around Chicago (their spirits are with me still.)  I hope that you will find encouragement, enchantment and enlightenment from their lives and legacies as I have over the past 40 years!!

Dr. Tom Picks “Office Space”

Time for another review of one of my favorite movies with a message.  This one is particularly relevant given the way the capitalist economy is exploiting workers.  It sure does not seem fair that many workers are baring the brunt of the financial meltdown caused by corporate executives.  Millions stuck in a dead-end and depressing job day-dreams about ways to rip off the corporation.  The movie “Office Space” came out a decade ago and contains inspiration and information to help the alienated workers take back control of their lives and redistribute the wealth.

This wonderful film validates and popularizes key lessons from social science research about work and happiness.  Enforced conformity to meaningless rules and bureaucratic processes breeds alienation – leading to lack of commitment and creativity.  Themes in this movie tie directly back to the writings of  Karl Marx (as I explained in an earlier article.)  This is a very subversive and superb movie that encourages the proletariat to smash their machine and take back control over the means of production.  This radical and revolutionary message is clearly why this movie received an “R” rating.  There is no nudity or violence (except toward technology).  Also the language is very mild.   So clearly this movie is so threatening because it hopefully will make kids hip to the BS involved with most of the jobs in the capitalist system.

Enjoyment and Enlightenment can and will be ours!

Hippest Communities Create the Happiest Citizens

Carrboro, NC July 4, 09

We are all influenced by the people and places where we live. In particular, research shows that the communities we live in shape our ability to pursue and attain real happiness.  My own professional interests have always included a focus on community development and creativity.   After living and traveling to some great places, I am able to identify and describe some real differences that can only be found by experiencing life in different communities.  I hope this will help you gain insights into what are the best and worst places for you to live.

This article represents a renewed emphasis and focus for The HipHappy Times.  From now on, most of my writing will be focused on how to get and stay happy.  I will focus on the role of social institutions on quality of life for individuals and communities.  I hope you enjoy and learn.  My first is a tribute to my relatively new (two years) hometown of Carrboro, NC. Learn about what makes a community cool and creative by reading my entertaining and educational Powerpoint presentation about why as Jim Morrison said  “The West is the Best – Get Here and We will do the Rest.”

Click on this link to view a PDF Version of  a presentation I have shared with community leaders entitled:  C2HC2 (Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Chatham County) as the Creative Corner of the Research Triangle Park.l

Please President Obama: Stop War on Marijuana

One of the first things FDR did when he became president in 1932 was to end the failed prohibition of alcohol. This single act freed up resources for needed public works programs and added lots of new tax revenue.  That  also dramatically improved public mood as promised by his 1932 campaign song “Happy Days are Here Again.”  Another benefit was the dramatic drop in crime  and fewer prisoners.   We will see these and other major benefits once the wasteful weed war ends.

President Obama has the same chance to restore a sense of freedom and happiness in our country.  One easy thing to do is end the unethical and ineffective war on medical marijuana.  This will also improve how the rest of the world views the United States.  Read all about what we all can do to persuade and pressure our new president to “Do the Right Thing” for millions of medical patients and recreational users across the country and around the world.  The US is the only country standing in the way of global ganjah legalization.

Young People Rocked Barack Right into White House

Young Americans have started to take control of their collective future by electing Barack Obama president.  Two-out-of-three voters under 30 chose Obama over McCain.  The kids now have their own leader who understands them and will work for them.  It is time for the older generation to leave the major decisions to those who will have to pay the consequences.  The younger generation invested more time and energy in Obama then for any previous politician.  Obama represents a blank slate for youthful hopes, dreams and aspirations.

The polls tended to underestimate the youth vote impact. Young people were able to surprise the pollsters and pundits who have generally ignored this key segment.  The fact is many young people will never be included in standard telephone surveys. Growing numbers of young people only have cell phones (which by law prohibit telemarketing and opinion polling.)   Telephone surveys also miss people who screen calls or are not home at night.  However, Obama was well aware of the potential power of the youth vote. He was able to reach out and tap their hopes for a better future.  Read on to learn how he did it and what that means to the future of our world!!

Michelle Obama Will be Awesome and Admirable First Woman!!

One of the real benefits we will get when we elect Barack Obama next week is that we will get the energy, experience and enthusiasm of his wife Michelle. I have watched her give speeches and grant interviews over the past year.  I have also collected some of the best print articles and interviews for your information and inspiration.  Michelle clearly embodies the modern American woman better than any of the other women in the news (i.e., Cindy McCain and Sarah Palin.)

Read about how she is able to keep their children at the center of her world, while helping here husband stay focused and strong!!  As a sociology professor I am particularly impressed with the original sociological research she conducted to receive her undergraduate degree from Princeton.  You will learn about her family ties and young influences.  We are so lucky to have her by Barack’s side.  Learn how they met, fell in love and got married!!

Karl Marx Would be Marveling at Capitalism’s Colossal Collapse

As the global economy continues to tank, everyone is looking for the reasons we are in this mess. What we have is the predictable and inevitable collapse of the corrupt capitalist system.  Everyone seems to be “whistling in the dark” when they half-jokingly say we are headed for socialism.  By fostering greed and inequality Capitalism is collapsing – just as Karl Marx predicted over 150 years ago.   This could happen within a couple years so get ready.  Realize that like all countries, the US has socialist features (especially with the current fed bank bailout AND auto industry.

Reading this will help you understand what has happened and what we all can do together. As the economy becomes less fair more people will join the underground economy and resist the power of the corporations.  People will increasingly walk away from their debts and stop buying new toys and upgrading technology.  Old McCain is now claiming that he won’t redistribute wealth. According to Marx, he and his rich friends will soon have no choice (they must share the wealth that Bush stole for them.)  The rich have gotten that way by living off the “surplus labor” of the workers.  Now you can learn about Marx’ life, times and lessons for today.  Along the way you will see customized pix along with expert opinion.  Tell your friends and leave comments.

McCain’s Body Language Reveals Hostility, Arrogance and Dishonesty

Most people read a lot more meaning from body language and other non-verbal factors than they gain from the words a person says.  Barack Obama clearly won all three debates with Old McCain in terms of body language and the overall “Vibes” he gave off. During the first televised debate in 1960, Republican Nixon looked awful – sweaty and nervous with a “five-o’clock” shadow.  Kennedy, on the other hand, looked cool, calm and collected.  Sounds a lot like the stark contrasts we saw during the debate in Mississippi. Lesson is to study the candidate’s body language for clues into what they are really thinking.  Trust your intuition and gut reaction.

I must note that this and most of my writing is intimately informed by watching MSNBC news coverage (6-8 hours per day.)  Thanks especially to Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, Mika Brzezinski and Eugene Robinson (also of the Washington Post.) Also, I am increasingly impressed with someone I used to not like because of his political views – Pat Buchanan (oh that we all have could have his energy, enlightenment and enthusiasm in our later years.)  You may want to consult my first article on this BLOG:  MSNBC Makes Most Sense of the World (January 18, 2008).

Todd Palin is a Domestic Terrorist who Hates America

The more we learn about the Palin Klan the more obvious it becomes that they are a bunch of radical rednecks who have little previous connection to the civilized world.  In fact, these extreme domestic terrorists and their posse have shown outright contempt for the United States.  Time to expose the potential “First Dude”  as a vengeful and vindictive vigilante.  He and other Alaskan hillbillies are bitter and dangerous as they cling to their guns, booze, and snowmobiles (Alaskan version of pickup truck.)

However, the problems with Todd Palin are much more serious than just the fact that he is a hillbilly hick.  He was a long-term member of the Alaskan Independence Party (AIP) that openly hates America and wants to secede from the United States.  Make no mistake this group is very dangerous and represents the same mind-set that led to the Oklahoma City bombing. Todd runs his wife’s power posse and campaigns like a gangster thug.  Learn why we can’t let this idiot get anywhere near Washington, DC.