I Like’m

In “the Day the Earth Stood Still”, the undercover alien played by a Chinese actor told Keanu Reeves that “they (human species) have a capacity for self-destruct…but I won’t be going back. I like”m, and glad to have lived at all (as human)”. BTW, they chose McDonald to evade FBI manhunt, and McCafe as a beverage of choice. Alien undercover in the form of a Chinese American to stay “invisible”, under the radar.  Quite a commentary on our social scene!

Paradoxical?

Most science fiction films take on this theme (In Centennial Man, Robin Williams wishes to be destroyed, because to live on would be too painful: he can’t cry).

Back in the days of Silent Spring, people thought only the rads would go and live in the woods, planting organic foods. Nowadays, it’s hip, it’s wise, it’s politically correct to be green and lean. California and China both are on the same side on this (war against emission and energy depletion).

California University system is also teetering on the brink, bleeding from the “budget cut” knife wound.

I only attended a few Extension classes from UCLA back in the 90’s while holding down a sales job.

The UCLA is very different from Penn State, where I used to attend: nice weather year round (even for evening classes), and a lot more cars (in Happy Valley, 30,000 students mostly walk).

At UCLA, I sat among professional people who just want to supplement their knowledge (work-enhancing courses).

At PSU, we partied, went to the gym and studied last (capacity for self-destruct).

But I Like’m. Glad to have attended Penn State. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I remember working on a TV segment as a class project. The topic was “energy conservation”. It was slightly hip back then due to the lingering effect of the Oil Embargo by OPEC countries.

Then oil became cheap, so cheap that people who drove Explorers began to trade up to Hummers: look at me!

Now, they wish they are qualified for Cash-for-Clunkers program. Capacity for self-destruct all right!

But it’s the only life we know. And we will make a go at it, hopefully for the better. I like’m.