When you start to think like that, it is time to put on boots and jacket and go out into the woods. The real world goes on there.

Almost seems like we are truly becoming an IDIOCRACY, doesn't it?

The media has much to do with it, I think. We have fewer and fewer real news reporters and journalists of the caliber of 10, 20, or 30 years ago; most of the people spewing "news" on the major networks are readers, and most commentators, it seems, have biased agendas. The news reporters, themselves, are all too often the story. Whatever made them conclude that we care about them?

Much too much reportage nowadays is distraction. And, perhaps that's what people (some people) want. I don't know. There seems to be little serious, informed dialogue anywhere but on shows like Face The Nation, and (occasionally) 60 Minutes, here in the U.S., anyway.

However, as I have mentioned before, and they are only a small sample in my small experience; when I'm around my daughter and son-in-law, and their friends, I hear smart, responsible, and informed opinions about the world, and it gives me hope. And when you see some of the pushback going on as in the womens' and youth movements, and even in the non-believer community, at least it seems as though there is a conscious will to make things better, and that too gives me hope.

I’m not in opposition to your commentss, but I have found making generalizing statements about a whole class of people or in this case a whole world will get me into trouble by clouding my reality lens. I find interesting people wherever I am because I start with that world view; we are all interesting in different ways.

Read the dune novels

I do spend more time on-line than my community in the winter but as soon as it warms up I'm going to get politically and socially active again.

I think it has ALWAYS been that way, it's just now with enabling technology everyone is within reach of having an asinine and banal conversation.

Indeed but no point worrying