Well, you win, it's your show now
So what's it gonna be?
'Cause people will tune in
How many train wrecks do we need to see
Before we lose track of
We thought this was low
It's bad, getting worse, so
Where'd all the good people go?
I've been changing channels
I don't see them on the TV shows
Where'd all the good people go?
We got heaps and heaps of what we sow
They got this and that with a rattle of tat
Testing, one, two
Man, what you gonna do?
Bad news, mis-used
Got too much to lose
Gimme some truth
Now whose side are we on?
Whatever you say, turn on the boob tube
I'm in the mood to obey
So lead me astray, and by the way, now
Where'd all the good people go?
I've been changing channels
I don't see them on the TV shows
Where'd all the good people go?
We got heaps and heaps of what we sow
Sitting around feeling far away
So far away, but I can feel the debris
Can you feel it?
You interrupt me from a friendly conversation
To tell me how great it's gonna be
You might notice some hesitation
It's important to you; it's not important to me
But way down by the edge of your reason
Well, it's beginning to show
And all I really want to know is
Where'd all the good people go?
I've been changing channels
I don't see them on the TV shows
Where'd all the good people go?
We got heaps and heaps of what we sow
They got this and that . . .
Station through station
Desensitizing the nation
Where'd all the good people go?
Going, going, gone
~ Jack Johnson
I have long thought that the "dumbing down of America" began with Reality TV. I do remember being excited about the 2000 premiere of Survivor, one of the first reality TV shows, but that was because I was teaching Lord of the Flies, and the theme of survival was so timely. In my opinion, it didn't take long for that show to go down the tubes, accompanied by all sorts of horrors, like The Bachelor and Keeping up with the Whoevers and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. (I must make it clear here . . . I never saw any of these shows.) I suspect that Jack Johnson had the same remorse as I did, as evidenced by the release of this song on In Between Dreams in 2005.
While I understand how Hillary offended people with her "basket of deplorables" comment in the 2016 election campaign, the truth is that our culture has directed its attention to the bottom-feeders, something which I can only assume was designed to get votes and sell product. Surely, the demographic that wants to watch Toddlers and Tiaras or Dating Naked or The Pick-up Artist (again, never saw these shows) is not in a position to make huge campaign donations. But they do have a vote in our democracy. And they do shop, especially if they become convinced that the product being hawked will lead to happiness. They got this and that . . .
But the dearth of good people is not limited to any categorization of the populace. Lately, we have witnessed the outing of celebrities, athletes, and politicians as molesters, pedophiles, and just downright creepy people. This onslaught of breaking news begs the question: Where'd all the good people go?
Yes, I know that there are a gazillion good people out there. I want to believe that they (we) far outnumber the train wrecks. But as long as Media remains the God of America, we will continue to be victimized by a culture that tries to lead us astray. And all for the sake of profit.
Station through station
Desensitizing the nation
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