log 010, video

[thestarspangledman]

[Steve's been playing 'let's catch up on seventy years of history' again, slightly augmented by that trip to Risa. By which we mean, he got to experience technology in the future. But here he is, settled down with a pile of books and looking just a tad disconsolate.]

I know it's 2012. I really do. But even here, I -- feel like I'm gonna have to turn on a radio and wait for it to warm up. Or like I could pick up a newspaper and check the next time the Dodgers are gonna play down at Ebbets. Just -- it's enough to know that what we fought for was worth it, but I've been looking at the library again; and it's ....

Let's just say this isn't the future I expected. Kinda figured -- well, hoped -- we'd get over setting differences on people because of the color of their skin, or where they're from, or because of something they can't do a damn thing about. I guess it was too much to hope for, even seventy years later. Sometimes I think that everything's changed, then I realize some things haven't, and I -- don't know how to help it. Wish I could.

Comments

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

Keep doing the work that you do. People need role models.

[Private]

[thestarspangledman]

I don't have any plans on stopping. It's just -- kind of disheartening, I guess.

[imfollowinghim]

You're in a good mood.

[thestarspangledman]

Have a look at these books and you'll be in about the same mood, I figure.

[wedonot]

Just because there's still much that needs improvement doesn't mean we haven't made impressive steps in the right direction.

[thestarspangledman]

Well, yeah, I just ....thought we'd be a little further along.

ivy stop hanging out with magneto

[chlorophylliac]

Human nature doesn't change. It remains subject to the same tribalism and mistrust and fear that it always is and always has been. Why did you think it was something your species could simply 'get over'?

steve might have to dislike you on general principles if that's the case :c

[thestarspangledman]

I just figured people would learn from their mistakes, eventually. Looks like it's not exactly the case.

[scentbombed]

She's right, I'm afraid, Mr. Rogers. But there are good people within that. In my world, I was starting to see a few more as we came into the Century of the Anchovy... so maybe that's true in your 2012 as well.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

Don't put up with it, son. That's all you can do. Don't let it stand when you see it.

[thestarspangledman]

I don't intend to.

[19centconstable]

Perhaps it's due to my being from 114 years earlier, but to me, things seem incredibly changed on that front.

[thestarspangledman]

They've changed a hell of a lot, it's true, but --even so.

[trenchcoatedly]

Humans have had cyclical history for much, much longer than fifty years.

[thestarspangledman]

I know, I just -- haven't had to play catch up on most of it until now.

[buildindreemz]

It seems really easy for people with the fewest scruples to end up in positions of power, too.

Though, I think the human nature argument is a little too simplistic. I mean, maybe it's in our nature to develop prejudices and fight with each other, but... it must also be in our nature to do really good things, too. Otherwise we wouldn't have all the good people we do. And we do have some.

[thestarspangledman]

I know we do, it's just -- a little disappointing, I guess, that we haven't made more progress.

[omar]

2006 seem pretty good to me, but I s'pose that depend on your definition of "good." [Probably most people who dislike crime would not enjoy it, for example!]

[thestarspangledman]

I haven't gotten that far in my reading yet, sorry, pal.

[Private] :| Kay is a strange sort of optimist.

[most_feared]

It's 2010 for me, son.

And like I was telling your inmate, people are dumb, panicky animals. People as a group, that is. But you take a person, one single person, and you have something you can change and make a difference.

Don't worry about all that stuff you're readin'. It's about people. They don't have much about everyday guys like cops or soldiers or waitresses or anyone else in those things- just famous types that screwed up and are one in a million.

We're a far stretch better than we were. Not perfect, but we gotta work at it.

[Private] that's cool, kay, we like you anyway <3

[thestarspangledman]

I -- yeah. You're right. [And there's a little bit of a smile, there.]

Video:

[childhood_surgery]

Even by standard human calendar, it's well past the year 2012.

Video:

[thestarspangledman]

Maybe for you. I'm still catching up on things from 1943 onward.

[timesbureaucrat]

Part of your problem is that you're assuming that seventy years is a long time. It isn't really, not even for humans.

Now, if you were to look at the human species from, say, the year 5400, you'd see some pretty significant changes compared to your time.

[thestarspangledman]

...Even with the serum, sir, I don't think I'll be around long enough to see that.

[persuadeyou]

People are always going to have their prejudices. That won't change.

...Books are electronic now, though.

[thestarspangledman]

...[That gets a bit of a confused squint out of him.]

..Why would anyone want an electronic book? Other than Stark.

[wecanavenge]

That's humanity's way. You ought to realize that, by now.

[thestarspangledman]

I have. It doesn't mean I have to like it.

video;

[notthatfondue]

Changes like that take time, Steve... [A pause, because really? It kind of upsets her too. She presses her lips together thoughtfully and sighs.]

We can only hope to lead by example... To make people understand the change that should happen, and try to knock out that mob mentality people are so quick to adopt.

video;

[thestarspangledman]

It's been seventy years, Peg.

[He just rubs the back of his neck and sighs, nodding.]

Yeah, I know.

[zeitgeists]

Two steps forward, one step back, is in fact a saying. Did they have that one back in days of yore, grandpa?

[thestarspangledman]

I'm not your grandpa, kid. ...And yeah, they did.

[an_abomination]

If humanity had a single greatest flaw, it would be intolerance towards anything they perceive as "different".

[thestarspangledman]

I've noticed that.

[ladyofgotham]

[Barbara regards him with solemn understanding, for a moment, before glancing over the rest of the replies. When she speaks, it's quiet and wry.]

I really do hate to say it, but Isley has a point.

[Her voice takes on a warmer, firmer quality, then.]

Yes, a society may become more accepting of one minority, at least on the surface - only to persecute the next that comes along.

Better to stop focusing on humanity and start focusing on people. They're the ones you can change.

And maybe you change enough to make a difference.

[thestarspangledman]

[There's a little bit of a reflective grin, there.]

You can hope as much, anyway.

[strangehistorian]

Well, to be technical it is not any year here on the Barge! We are outside of time! Your view of what year it is is equally as valid as anyone else's!

[thestarspangledman]

I suppose so, but at home they told me it was 2012.

[video/private] BACKTAGGING BROFEELS BECAUSE I'M A DICK

[aggravating]

[For once, Steve? Tony sounds pretty subdued and serious. No trace of that teasing, joking demeanor.

This is serious shit.]

You reach the Cold War yet, Cap?

[video/private] YES YOU ARE GO SLEEP

[thestarspangledman]

I've started it, I'm at -- civil rights, right now.