I walk the mall almost daily as I listen to podcasts. You get a sense for the community over time. I will surely come off as the old man yelling from his lawn here, but nevertheless, here's what I see.

The stupidest tattoos possible: fantasy characters, barbed wire, some sort of Asian saying (unless it just appears that way), and Jesus, with muscles sometimes and a nicely trimmed beard.

I see so many obese folks gulping enormous, sugar laden drinks. Girls who are honestly showing too much skin. God, I sound like such an uptight, conservative dickhead. 

Tee shirts with moronic, sometimes offensive tidings, cartoon characters, and sports teams. Our species just has to have a sports team to worship!

I see many vacancies, and the existing stores sell such...junk! We have piercing parlors that must thrive because their customers are out and about. And the foodcourt? So much fat, sugar, and sodium! 

Needless to say, there's no sign of a book store. Am I being a jerk? Is this because my disillusionment with education has beaten me down some? On average, 38% of students are proficient in math and 46% in reading. 

On the other hand, I'm really enjoying Steven Pinker's "Better Angels of Our Nature", as it details how violence has fallen enormously over the centuries! Hope springs eternal!

Still, school begins next week and I'll be there!

Here's the great, Paul Heaton's take on human progress!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH815yA7oxk

Peter T.