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Editorial
November 9, 1950
The Prison Mirror
Stillwater, Washington County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
A humorous reflection on how adults romanticize the 'good old days' as they age, arguing that the past was not as superior as remembered, with examples from music, sports, cars, and products.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the age of one to twenty-five most all of us are content to feel that we are living in the best age ever. We laugh at and rib the pleasures that Mom and Dad considered tops.
But from thirty or so on out we begin to compare unfavorably, the present to the past. If we got in our best licks during the jazz era, no music shall ever replace jazz in our books. "The kids today don't have the fun we had."
It's a strange phenomena but it lends weight to the saying, "You're as young as you feel." We'd much rather feel-when we begin to brag about the "good old days," that we are merely "more matured." This is true, of course, and sounds a lot better than, "I'm beginning to slip."
Still, if you're a guy who knows Guy Lombardo or Glenn Miller had the best music ever; know that SMU are not in a class with the Gophers of 1935, you better slow down and take stock, Pop.
When we stop to look at it, the "good old days" weren't so hot at that. Take for instance changing a 30x3 clincher tire on a Model T-kicking the coil box in the rain; dragging one foot to slow her down.
Even the "good old records"-played today they sound pretty rucka-tucka, and the lyrics to "Ja Da Ja Da Jingling Jing" sound just as dumb as "Good Night, Irene."
The "new" cellophane (that Jean Harlow needed an ice pick to tear open); Lucky Strike Green, which went to war and got killed ...
But from thirty or so on out we begin to compare unfavorably, the present to the past. If we got in our best licks during the jazz era, no music shall ever replace jazz in our books. "The kids today don't have the fun we had."
It's a strange phenomena but it lends weight to the saying, "You're as young as you feel." We'd much rather feel-when we begin to brag about the "good old days," that we are merely "more matured." This is true, of course, and sounds a lot better than, "I'm beginning to slip."
Still, if you're a guy who knows Guy Lombardo or Glenn Miller had the best music ever; know that SMU are not in a class with the Gophers of 1935, you better slow down and take stock, Pop.
When we stop to look at it, the "good old days" weren't so hot at that. Take for instance changing a 30x3 clincher tire on a Model T-kicking the coil box in the rain; dragging one foot to slow her down.
Even the "good old records"-played today they sound pretty rucka-tucka, and the lyrics to "Ja Da Ja Da Jingling Jing" sound just as dumb as "Good Night, Irene."
The "new" cellophane (that Jean Harlow needed an ice pick to tear open); Lucky Strike Green, which went to war and got killed ...
What sub-type of article is it?
Nostalgia
Generational Reflection
What keywords are associated?
Nostalgia
Good Old Days
Aging
Past Vs Present
Generational Differences
Music Eras
Daily Life Inconveniences
What entities or persons were involved?
Guy Lombardo
Glenn Miller
Smu
Gophers Of 1935
Model T
Jean Harlow
Lucky Strike Green
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Illusion Of The Good Old Days
Stance / Tone
Humorous Critique Of Nostalgia
Key Figures
Guy Lombardo
Glenn Miller
Smu
Gophers Of 1935
Model T
Jean Harlow
Lucky Strike Green
Key Arguments
People From Age 30+ Compare Present Unfavorably To Past
Nostalgia Makes One Feel Mature Rather Than Declining
Old Music Like Jazz Is Irreplaceable To Its Fans But Kids Today Lack Past Fun
Good Old Days Had Inconveniences Like Changing Model T Tires In Rain
Old Records Sound Scratchy And Lyrics As Silly As Modern Ones
Past Products Like Cellophane And Lucky Strike Green Had Flaws