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.

[imfollowinghim]

You're in a good mood.

[wedonot]

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

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'?

[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.

[19centconstable]

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

[trenchcoatedly]

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

[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.

[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!]

[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.

Video:

[childhood_surgery]

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

[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.

[persuadeyou]

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

...Books are electronic now, though.

[wecanavenge]

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

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.

[zeitgeists]

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

[an_abomination]

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

[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.

[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!

[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?