Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Looking on the bright side.

Even if you think that modern Western civilization as we know it is fated to collapse into a howling wilderness of savages with colanders strapped to their faces in the near future, there's no denying that there are plenty of upsides to enjoy and be thankful for before it does.

If you find yourself on the Titanic, you might as well sample the champagne, and I hear the prime rib is good, too.Link

14 comments:

Living in Babylon said...

I'm looking forward to the bread & circuses. I can't wait until reality tv becomes fatal human drama instead of just human drama.

I hear those romans put on some good reality tv back in the day...

the pawnbroker said...

To AC's list I would add the freedom to develop and own shit like this...

http://now.msn.com/now/0312-double-barreled-handgun.aspx

...which offers the double-barreled bright side of ensuring the rest of them, plus inspiring headlines like the one there. And check the comments; not quite what the writer expected I'm sure.

Kevin Baker said...

Not to pee in your soup, but I will reiterate R.A. Heinlein's comment: "The worst thing about living in the declining era of a great civilization is knowing that you are."

Tim D said...

I linked a video of that pistol in the last tab clearing post. I wonder what happens if it's not firing both barrels at once?

TimD

staghounds said...

Nit picking

"because you give me the creeps"-

Never explain, to them it's just a new basis to talk to you and inside your own mind it's seeking justification.

Like a breakup, or firing someone, or quitting a job you hate. No good can possibly come to you from explanations.

Just "NO".

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

We live like kings. KINGS!

A king 1000 years ago would kill for the dental care that Tam gets from the baby-Dentists.

Cincinnatus said...

Warm place to crap.

That's all I'm saying.

BobG said...

And who could forget the miracle that is bacon?

Exurbankevin said...

I remember a line from a Billy Crystal special on HBO, where he recounts that Soviet citizens were amazed that Americans could have "May and September on their plate at the same time", i.e. watermelon AND strawberries.

We may suck at a lot of things, but the U.S. is still a great place to live. For now.

And having lived in Ecuador during one of their brief flirtations with military rule, I love, love, LOVE the (mostly) peaceful democratic process we have in the States.

Bubblehead Les. said...

Monty Python's "Life of Brian" Great Song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is now streaming through my conscious.

robl said...

...And there was no lack of ice water on the Titanic.

Stretch said...

And it doesn't even have to be a 3rd World cess-pit. Had British friends over and once the son walked through the produce section of our local supermarket he was ready to move here. Nothing like 5 rows of fresh fruits and veggies to captivate a growing teen. Once he saw the fresh meat display (Buffalo!!) he was ready to renounce the Queen and cricket and take up hot dogs and baseball.

Anonymous said...

Stretch

Much as I winge about what has become of my country (PRUK plc) we have had supermarkets with "5 rows of fresh fruits and veggies" for some years (we've even begun trialling wall-to-wall floors as well - what will they think of next?).

I suspect either said son had never been shopping before (going food shopping with parents is something only girls and dweebs do) or that quintessential British thing 'pretending to be impressed by the decor of a friends new home, even to the point of asking for the price, designer and place of purchase. Complementing the friends taste... and then making snide and facetious remarks about 'Whores Boudoirs' and 'ours are much better' behind their backs'.

Hey, I never said we were nice!

"Even if you think that modern Western civilization as we know it is fated to collapse into a howling wilderness of savages with colanders strapped to their faces in the near future"

Colanders? Oh, please, how uncouth and passe! I have a custom made (by Gaggia) specialist (Tactical, it's even got rails) rice sieve with a coordinating (in tacticool black of course) ceramic scythe for those 'I'm going to hack you to pieces and eat your liver with some pinto beans' moments! (fava give me terrible gas!)

Goober said...

Modern medicine is high on my list of "very good things" that I will miss when if the economic collapse is total. The day my medication shipments stop will be the same day that I start to die painfully and miserably.

My Uncle died of the same condition that i have at age 45, back in the early 80's before they had the medicines that they do now, and when he finally went, he said that it was a sweet mercy and that he was glad to go.

Forgive me if i'm not looking forward to that.