When? When was America Great? They’re probably talking about the 50’s. Things were great for rich and middle class white men, but they weren’t so hot for just about everybody else. Yet, things were simpler back then, for everyone.

World population 1950: 2.5 billion
World population 2025: 8.2 billion
Population of the United States 1950: 151.7 million
Population of the United States 2025: 341.8 million

Most technological advances are due to the rise in population. Back in the day, the list of prescription drugs was a small pamphlet. The pharmacies filled prescriptions with just a piece of paper. The pharmacists were friendly with their customers, knew them by name. Now, it has become a faceless machine. There are too many patients and too many medications for pharmacies to possibly operate without computers.

Into my possession came a boxset of music from the 40’s. Those people were so talented. Someone found the best way for the singers and musicians to be placed in regard to the only microphone. It’s a skill akin to navigating ships by the stars. The studios were run by the big corporations who were only interested in hits. Now, recording technology has evolved to an amazing degree. Many studios are not beholden to the major labels, or the unions. Locally, there’s the Recording Zone. These days, many independent artists are able to record music on their home computers. For about six months, I had a home studio. I got started on a dozen or so songs. This is the only one that came out any good:

Hope

In America these days, big families are uncommon. The average number of children is two, according to the lady on the telephone who answers questions. If two people with no siblings start a family and have just one chid, that child will have no aunts, uncles, or cousins. I am the youngest of six. If having only two children was the norm in the latter part of the last century, I wouldn’t be here.