you: "I saw a family at the fair the other day and their 2 year old was drinking coca-cola out of a bottle."
me: "I hope they see Idiocracy. Maybe it will open their eyes. Have you seen idiocracy? you should really see it. it's the realization of the future if we don't do something to stop it!"
you: "Did you hear about the lady who was driving alone in her RV and turned on the cruise control and went into the back to make herself a cup of coffee and died? What a shame."
me: "Actually it's really not such a shame. You know what is? People not seeing idiocracy. Things like this will continue to happen, and at a much more rapid pace stupid people do not STOP pro-creating!!!"
Ok, yes, I fully realize that even if every single person on the planet watched this movie, as critcally as they were capable of doing, it would make the smallest most microscopic difference, if even that. In fact most of the not-so-smart people that I know who have seen it think that the basis of the movie is stupid and ridiculous (gee, I wonder why that is?). It's one of those things that's only beneficial to the people who already think the way the movie wants them to think, and in turn, the benefits are not those they are intended to be.
My most recent Idiocracy-rant was inspired by a plethora of childcare related issues. The catalyst were mine and my boss's constant opposing ideas about right and wrong as far as her son was concerned. As a Nanny of 6 years, with every new family there always comes a time (specifically with new parents) when the sarcastic "well, you are the Nanny, so you must know better than me" comments creep their way into early morning conversations. In my internal monologue response, I'm usually agreeing and ignoring their sass. Out loud, I always try to preform the perfect balance of not sounding offended/not offending their parenting at the same time. But sometimes, that is insanely difficult. The truth is I have no patience for the avoidance of baby proofing so as not to make your house "look tacky and ugly" or buying a properly safe and comfortable high chair because you "can't find one that matches your kitchen." I know. it is ridiculous. More over, it makes my job impossible, when I am running around, arms full of 2 drooling and crying babes, already getting into everything, having to sit their diapered butts on the kitchen counter to feed them and follow their fast crawling legs and arms EVERYWHERE to make sure that 10 pound decorative glass vase (so useful, btw) doesn't topple on to them or that they don't eat some potpourri. C'mon! Give us a break, Mommy!
These are only a few of several examples of the general absurdities I've seen through out my Nanny career. Of course, not all Mommies are crazy (most of the ones I've worked for are not) but who ever writes about sanity anymore? that's no fun.
Work frustrations became a hot topic of conversation with my friends and family and the conversation always seemed to turn back to a fantasy me and my cousin Anna have always had: The idea of approving a person to become a parent. A "Parent Test," if you will. Sure, it has it's very obvious flaws that would make it an impossible American reality (the fine line between opinion and fact, a way to even manage such a testing system, and most obviously, the fact that it would go against basic biological and human rights), but if there were a test, some kind of mandatory schooling at LEAST, then maybe some of these men and women would think a little further into the future before actually procreating, be it accidentally or not. There has to be some way of making people understand that once you have a child, NOTHING ELSE CAN COME FIRST. The commitment is really larger than life.
Maybe it's easy for me to be so judgmental because I dont have children of my own. But I think it's really important to emphasize that I by no means expect perfection from anyone. Even the most perfect of people make mistakes. What I do hope for is the possibility that all parents (or potential parents) could understand that with every move, word, action and decision that they make, they are sculpting and molding the people their children will become.
Just try to wrap your head around that massive responsibility for a second. Because if we don't, the future for our chilren's children's children's children could be extremely grim.
You know, this is reminding me of this great movie I saw once. It's called Idiocracy. Oh, you haven't seen it? You really should.......
Just try to wrap your head around that massive responsibility for a second. Because if we don't, the future for our chilren's children's children's children could be extremely grim.
You know, this is reminding me of this great movie I saw once. It's called Idiocracy. Oh, you haven't seen it? You really should.......