I started writing Les Pages aux Folles in the Year of Their Lord 1985. (I’m Jewish – waddya gonna do?) Over 15 years later, I find myself, older and wider, taking up the cudgel once more. Had I known then what I know now (like, what a cudgel is), I would have been astonished at how much the world changes in such a short time.
For instance, in the 1980s, the United States harassed Canada for its exports of cedar shakes and shingle. Today, the United States harasses Canada for its exports of softwood lumber. Not the same at all.
In the 1980s, an intellectually challenged Republican President consolidated his power by exploiting Americans’ fear of Communism. No more. Today, an intellectually challenged Republican President consolidates his power by exploiting Americans’ fear of terrorism.
The difference is also reflected in our entertainment. In the 1980s, a TV show called Amerika soothed American anxiety about its place in the world by portraying the country repelling an invasion. Today, a movie called Independence Day soothes American insecurity about its place in the world by portraying the country repelling an invasion.
In the 1980s, America’s most wanted man was Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Today, America’s most wanted man is Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Hmm…okay, that may not seem like much of a difference. But, in the 1980s, America’s main objective in international politics was to ensure the free flow of oil. Today, America’s main objective in international politics is to ensure the free flow of oil. You see? Subtle differences can lead to major changes.
In the 1980s, Wall Street was rocked by a scandal involving Michael Milken. Today, Wall Street is rocked by a scandal involving Kenneth Lay. And, Bernard Ebbers. And, John Rigas. And Dennis Kozlowski…
In the 1980s, the Kent Commission reported that concentration in the ownership of newspapers was a threat to their editorial integrity. How far we’ve come since then! Today, moves by CanWest Global to stifle dissent at its newspapers have sparked calls for a study of the effects of media concentration on editorial integrity.
In the 1980s, a scandal-ridden Conservative government pushed for free trade with the United States. Today, a scandal-ridden Liberal government is pushing for free trade with Latin America. Of course, one would expect politics to adapt to the changing needs of the people.
In the 1980s, First World nations urged Third World nations to practice greater free trade while protecting their own key industries. Today, developed nations urge developing nations to practice greater free trade while protecting their own key industries. Okay, that doesn’t seem like such a great shift. How about this? In the 1980s, more money flowed to First World nations from Third World nations than went the other way, while, today more money flows to developed – okay. Try this: In the 1980s, the International Monetary Fund imposed severe structural programmes on Third World debtor nations that forced them to cut social to help their poorest people, while, today – no, that hasn’t changed much, either. Threat of default? No, that’s still there. Uhh…
Okay, maybe the politics of aid for developing nations hasn’t really changed that much.
But, other things certainly have changed a lot. In the 1980s, the press fretted over the future of Joe Clark, Conservative Party leader. Today, the press frets over the future of Joe Clark, Conservative Party leader.
In the 1980s, environmental scientists began to warn about global warming, but politicians demanded concrete proof before taking serious action to combat it. Today, environmental scientists have reached a broad consensus that global warming is a threat to life on the planet, but politicians are demanding concrete proof before taking serious action. Isn’t it amazing how science advances?
In 1984, everybody was relieved that George Orwell’s vision had not come to pass. In 2001, everybody was disappointed that Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke’s vision had not come to pass.
Time makes its mysterious way through our lives. No point in looking for patterns – all is change. However, what may scare those who would clutch the past tightly to their bosoms exhilarates those of us who are prepared to surf the tides of time.
After all, change ensures that there’s always something to make fun of.