Yes, our school system held a specific day of 'debriefing' which was unsettling and the more so, unconvincing. At 17, my peers and I were rather convinced that adults had no idea what they were doing or were, more simply, evil-doers. And I suppose the resurgence of neo-fascism in Western countries has given the lie to the sense that we survived something in the 1980s - neo-conservatism - and thus could finally imagine a human future. Still in grave doubt to my mind and yet I ask youth, 'where are you?', for when I was still a professor the young people at least on campus seemed blithely unaware of all of the present danger to the world.
Very apt as per usual, Bryan. I definitely do not have a compendia of pulp or popular fiction in my head as to their copyright dates - I have enough trouble trying to recall my own! - but 1983 was my coming of age year, for better or worse, and the only pop culture event that mattered that year was the release of the film 'The Day After'. Real horror, unlike the stories you mention here. And, like your quote from Bradbury, still very much relevant 40 years later.
Glad you liked the post! I almost used 'The Day After' as the issue's Recommendation - even looked through various trailers and clips, etc. But in the end, for some reason, the Bradbury film popped into my head and it seemed to fit better. Nevertheless, 'The Day After' still sticks with me - it was horrifying. I'll never forget the conversations - and the sheer fear - about it at school the next day.
Yes, our school system held a specific day of 'debriefing' which was unsettling and the more so, unconvincing. At 17, my peers and I were rather convinced that adults had no idea what they were doing or were, more simply, evil-doers. And I suppose the resurgence of neo-fascism in Western countries has given the lie to the sense that we survived something in the 1980s - neo-conservatism - and thus could finally imagine a human future. Still in grave doubt to my mind and yet I ask youth, 'where are you?', for when I was still a professor the young people at least on campus seemed blithely unaware of all of the present danger to the world.
Very apt as per usual, Bryan. I definitely do not have a compendia of pulp or popular fiction in my head as to their copyright dates - I have enough trouble trying to recall my own! - but 1983 was my coming of age year, for better or worse, and the only pop culture event that mattered that year was the release of the film 'The Day After'. Real horror, unlike the stories you mention here. And, like your quote from Bradbury, still very much relevant 40 years later.
Glad you liked the post! I almost used 'The Day After' as the issue's Recommendation - even looked through various trailers and clips, etc. But in the end, for some reason, the Bradbury film popped into my head and it seemed to fit better. Nevertheless, 'The Day After' still sticks with me - it was horrifying. I'll never forget the conversations - and the sheer fear - about it at school the next day.