What of the Adult World?

(image courtesy of http://www.julianonsoftware.com/, forbes.com, msnbc.com)

So, it has been determined for us when we will stop dreaming, how we will grow up, and what we will become. So, reality or 'real life' per the majority has been unveiled to us, and becomes increasingly dull to us after having survived long enough to take our first legal gulps of alcohol. The right to vote? George W. Bush and a few others have made that a laughingstock. Stocks and bonds, or similarly 'easy' ways of obtaining tangible financial success? Oops! Sorry! The economy's shot, too! It's all downhill from here. Sportscars? Nope, we have energy and pollution crises on our hands (although the larger portion of influential politicians would have you believing otherwise). No high speeds for you.

So, what is it the people who are such great proponents of growing up would have you look forward to, now? Adulthood is a puzzle of financial indebtment that you are taught, through lifelong excruciating programming, to enjoy and want, because your auto or house loan is a step up in gaining more credit, and thereby being taken seriously as a financial being. The news is something we're advised to ignore, so as not to affect our delicate psyches and by proxy, our precious productivity. Materialism is the new god, and everyone must have the latest computer, phone, or similar all-in-one, hand-held-palmtop-office-slash-communication-device (e.g. the Blackberry). Capitalism is its mother, shunting herself forward through time through some alchemy that defies all reason. Honestly, haven't we been here before, in some form or fashion? If one were to look at history, it would not be hard to see that I'm not too far off the mark. Have we learned nothing?

Take your concepts of adulthood and sell them to someone who'll listen. Your words are lost here. Have fun with your debt; I'll be seeking the mountains and sea.