Changing Times
HILLARY
In your lifetime you have been witness to many paradigm shifts within our country, and civilization as a whole. Do you feel like we're in the midst of another?
JACK
We changed dramatically when we went from a Depression into World War II. Previously, all Americans really thought of themselves and their particular problems. With the attack on Pearl Harbor that attitude changed overnight. Suddenly, we were all in the same boat. We had to shift immediately, not only into a wartime economy, but also into a very patriotic attitude. In all parts of the county Americans had the same feeling of togetherness as only happens when everybody faces a common enemy who is dedicated to destroying your way of life. Men enlisted in great numbers, there were changes in industry – for instance all vehicle production was converted to wartime production.
HILLARY
That was a radical shift, which highlights my question — Do you feel like we're moving towards a radical or revolutionary move in my, or even in your lifetime?
JACK
There is no question about changes coming at lightening speed. High technology and digital have replaced analog, and industries that built whole cities, like our automotive business, have passed away. But, there is no one event that has turned everybody into a different direction with the same mindset.
Much of the confidence that Americans have acquired in the past 70 years is disappearing. Entire industries have been plunged into bad times, and there is no united feeling that will convert that into what can be called a positive American attitude. I have never seen the nation, and its politicians, so badly split where consensus has become an almost impossible goal. It is difficult to predict what's going to happen, but there is no doubt in my mind that our concepts and living conditions are in the process of changing.
What is it that you see happening?
HILLARY
I see a move for a change in our culture, and our instincts. If we are to successfully inhabit the planet in the numbers that we do, and will, then we need to reassess our resources. It seems like a rational discussion to have, but this topic leads to deep emotions regarding rights, privileges and American exceptionalism.
JACK
What exactly do you mean by "exceptionalism"?
HILLARY
Some people believe that America, and therefore Americans, are "exceptional" within the context of the world; that we are more deserving of resources and power simply because we were born in the U.S.
Our Constitution may well be the best-written document on governance ever, but this exceptional document does not grant its citizens ownership of the planet's resources above all others.
JACK
Would you not agree that the American system and its people have produced the highest standard of living ever achieved?
HILLARY
I suppose that depends on your definition of "high standards".
JACK
In comparison with the rest of the world, we have more of everything – food, resources, productive capacity, private automobiles, homes, and all the comforts. We are the inventors of the latest technology and lead the world in entertainment.
It's true that with all this wealth, Americans have acquired and attitude of entitlement. It is very common for even those who have never traveled outside our own boundaries to say we are the "Greatest Country in the World." I am not justifying the attitude, but I'm trying to understand it, and I certainly feel that it needs to be adjusted. It's very difficult when much of our propaganda is dedicated to these principles. The fact that we are changing is true, but at the same time it is difficult when so much of our population is convinced that we don't have a problem and even discount worldwide physical change such as global warming.
HILLARY
I agree, and I would go further and suggest that the "high standards" by which you chose to judge progress here are all measures of material consumption. I think it's sad that you didn't (as many wouldn't) speak of education, or of social justice, or of harmony within a population when defining "high standards". This is where the shift is needed. We need to acknowledge that never-ending consumption, sometimes shockingly procured by the butt of a gun, is unsustainable and doesn't promote the principles of our democracy. Americans would be better served by a consumption pace a little more closely related the way that most people live around the world.
JACK
We have achieved little if anything with the butt of a gun. The high standard that I've referred to has been achieved by our ability to produce more goods that the world needs in an economically sound fashion. However, this statement may not be true as we go forward. We have certainly been guilty in the past of forcing our interests on other people. I am not a futurist and cannot predict what will happen, but I certainly agree with you insofar as I do not as I do not feel comfortable with the direction we are going. I think we are way off base enforcing regime change or empire building. There are many changes that we have to make and I certainly hope that yours and succeeding generations will have the capacity to realistically change our attitude.
But really, can any other country or economy boast our results?
HILLARY
I don't believe that Americans have anything boast about when it comes to material consumption and its impact on the rest of the world.
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