05-06-2016, 11:09 AM
People who went through the Great Depression and the Second World War (meaning generations before Boomers) often came to recognize that strong beliefs themselves could be dangerous. The fascists really believed in what they did -- even their mass murders, pseudo-medical experiments, and of course racial supremacy. Communists certainly believed strongly in the 'need ' for world (Socialist) revolution. People who believed nothing strongly would not drift too far from the American Dream circa 1950 -- doing one's job, getting well paid for it, and finding meaning in life solely in material gain and indulgence. Even family life was predicated upon uncritical acceptance of unfulfilling jobs that put food on the table and a car in the garage.
Boomers took this all for granted and saw the faults. Not knowing the Crisis of 1940 they could be more reckless in their views of the world.
Boomers took this all for granted and saw the faults. Not knowing the Crisis of 1940 they could be more reckless in their views of the world.
The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated Communist but instead the people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists -- Hannah Arendt.