I found some cool old photos of Fullerton (Junior) College at the Online Archive of California website. CLICK on them to enlarge them.The first photo is of a "music group," practicing (some time in the 30s). The second photo shows the college greenhouse, 1937.
The Kayak Club took advantage of the flood of 1938.
The Kayak Club again, the 1930s.
Student Body officers of 1918-19
Cheerleaders, 1946
Some crazy stunt, the 1950s.
35 comments:
I love how everyone dressed in the 1930s - that girl draped over the piano in the "music group" photo looks down right glamorous...they all do.
ES
They look wonderful! Don't you think, too, that they look *older* than we were at that age? (!) Maybe it's something else I'm noticing, but old-time pictures of (then) youngsters who I know are considerably older than I am always strike me that way. Some kinda cool mystery.
I think maturity was expected and focused upon in the generations up to the war. Afterwards, not so much. -R
That would explain a lot. Isn't it amazing (but plausible), though, that expectations of that sort could affect even the *appearance* of young people?
I dunno. Appearance--clothing, etc.--is easy. But these kids new that they needed to get real but quick. Have a plan; get a job; join the military; find a husband; decide who you are; etc. No one imagined that they could just go back and live with mom and pop, without a job, without a plan.
Starting with the war, awareness of life's difficulties and unfairnesses was much more acute, especially among young adults, many of whom saw the worst or at least were compelled to deal with its reality, its aftereffects. I kind of frivolity set in--as it did after WWI--but no one imagined that society (or anyone) was supposed to provide an eternal bedroom and meals and allowance.
Invevitably, we are carried along by history, and we are placed in circumstances that bring out the best, or the worst, or something in the middle.
I wonder if going to college was still enough of a privilege then that students felt a sense of pride and responsibility in the endeavor and dressed accordingly. As a society, we have all become ALOT more casual in our manners and social customs. In the 1930s it was still part of "good manners" to dress nicely, and indicated a certain respect for the surroundings and events. That kind of thoughtfulness breeds a certain level of maturity.
ES
I'm trying to imagine those people staring blankly at cell phone screens or subjecting the rest of us to inane conversations, like most of our students.
I was thinking the same thing, even as I wrote my post above. I sit next to students in every class who clearly demonstrate that nothing is important enough to command their full attention, even temporarily. Not even the instructor who gives their own full attention and preparation to the class (class after class, and still mustering enthusiasm) is considered worthy of undivided attention! And sadly, what the rest of us "get" and they do not, is that they are really disrespecting themselves and their own education most of all. They have not been taught "self respect" in any true sense of the term. (my two cents)
ES
Really nice points, ES (esp. at 12:21) and the other 12:21 above (RB?) Our place in history is one of those elements of moral luck: putting aside metaphysical and annoying puzzles about how we wouldn't really be "the same person" if we'd been born in another era, it does seem plain that our setting--not just local, but global--can affect who we become. Infinitely humbling, and fascinating.
And though I often genuinely feel sorry for those born into this electronic era of chronic ADD, I find it really hard not to feel contempt for such disrespectful students. Which, given my first paragraph, doesn't make a whole lot of sense! It's just hard....
MAH
i wonder what folks would think if I walked onto campus wearing a barrel?
Probably just chalk it up to the economy (either in that you have no other clothes, or in that you've gone nuts out of worry)....
:)
13 - There's one way to find out - I dare ya...I double donkey dare ya!
MAH - It's hard not to feel contempt for such disrespectful students because there are just enough products(students) of this age who are NOT likewise afflicted that it's hard to believe that there is not SOME choice involved...
ES
For 13 StopLoss,
If youshowed us wearing a barrel... they might bolt you to the sidewalk and make you the new BOSI sculpture.
Soulman
I've gotta go along with Soulman on that one.
that'd make me an artist, then, yeah?
in that case, I could infuse some sort of social statement. maybe something involving desks, and my averted eyes staring into a cell phone? maybe an essay mill essay on the desk...
"mom, if you really love me, and want me to do well on the final, I'll need an iPhone, and some cash to have someone write an essay for me. I'll never get into Berkley without it!"
OMG... ROTFLMAO!
ES
ES, translation, please! (For some of born WELL before the Internet existed). Thank you kindly....
Oldster
Oh my God...rolling on the floor laughing my a** off!
ES
Oh, of course! Thank you, ES. I'm gonna remember that one.
Good point at 5:10, ES. Of course, if you have studied the free will issue with RB, you will know that there's a response to that point: that differences among individuals doesn't necessarily mean (free) choice. Genetics and individual background are part of the story. But at the level of everyday life, I'm right there with you. And there still *are* lovely students/persons coming out of this era, whom one cannot help but love. Sometimes it seems like a miracle!
MAH
MAH -
You are absolutely correct, and I do personally think that environment has a great deal to do with those exceptional students, much more than genetics, in this case. But I was referring to how *hard* it is NOT to feel contempt for them. But you already understand what I meant, I know that. I just felt like clarifying.
ES
You don't really roll on the floor, do you? It's an amusing little usage, but why not something more accurate?
shsal (sitting here smiling a little) or gabossa (grinning a bit over something slightly amusing), etc.
I don't actually use *ROTFLMAO* in my *real* life at all - I was inspired to express my amusement at 13's post in that way because of his reference to "averted eyes, staring into a cell phone". *ROTFLMAO* would more likely be used in a text message by one of those students "staring into a cell phone".
Also, for those that use such acronyms, it wouldn't be effective to make up new and accurate ones all the time, as those receiving the communication (text or email) would have to constantly attempt to decipher them.
ES
Regarding the above post:
I think that my sense of humor does not always translate well to these columns. In my head, we are all having a conversation as I write, and I do think that some of my comments would *work* better if we really were all standing around talking to each other. (what an idea - can you imagine the fun we'd have if we got all the regulars here together for some wine and conversation!)
ES
Gabossa. That's a good one.
I remember back when the internet was still cracking out of its shell in '94-'96 (aw man, I was like ten years old) people used to use gestures like:
*smile*
or they'd just say, "That made me chuckle."
Then it went to 'hehe', then 'haha', then LOL (laughing out loud), and now ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing), or ROTFLMAO (etc.) if you really find it funny.
Oh, how the times have changed.
Gabossa IS a good one. Sounds like an Italian word. I might start using it at home!
ES
What Bohrstein said, but I'll add, for ES, that when these kids are standing around, their actual language now reflects, verbally, "LOL," and "ROFL."
So, someone says funny joke, and those listening actually reply, "ROFFLE," or "LALLL."
Also, to add into the mix, I now hear "ROFLCOASTER," or "LOLZERS," etc.
Be on the lookout...
I have four children ages eleven to seventeen, so believe me, I know!
ES
What 13 said is TRUE - The Girl's roommate once said to me "smiley face," in response to something I said. I was mildly offended she couldn't just move the appropriate mouth muscles.
It did lead me to this though:
I imagined a scenario in which the room mate ran out of cheese one night. There she stood in the kitchen, alone, eyes averted to the hard floor, examining the tiles; contemplating her next move.
"Sad face," she'll say to herself.
LOLsters!
ES
I second ES's suggestion about wine and conversation, and especially the wine.
I have to admit that I, too, have fantasized about ES's excellent idea a of wine and out-loud conversation. Great little community here, as Bohrstein put it in another thread.
Oh, god, 13 Stoploss, say it ain't so (about the youngsters adopting email acronyms in actual speech). I thought myself beyond shock, but this is a new one on me; and I am flat-out HORRIFIED. Very glad you enlightened me about the darkness surrounding us, though.
And you are hilarious, by the way, Bohrstein, with your "sad face" (out of cheese) scenario.
Okay: so what can we do save civilization, fellow posters?
I should probably not post while drinking beer on Friday nights.
MAH
MAH,
I'll allow Mike Judge to summarize the atrocious new forms our speech has taken, from his movie (greatest movie ever) Idiocracy:
"Narrator: As the 21st century began, human evolution was at a turning point. Natural selection, the process by which the strongest, the smartest, the fastest, reproduced in greater numbers than the rest, a process which had once favored the noblest traits of man, now began to favor different traits. Most science fiction of the day predicted a future that was more civilized and more intelligent. But as time went on, things seemed to be heading in the opposite direction. A dumbing down. How did this happen? Evolution does not necessarily reward intelligence. With no natural predators to thin the herd, it began to simply reward those who reproduced the most, and left the intelligent to become an endangered species."
and
"Narrator: Unaware of what year it was, Joe wandered the streets desperate for help. But the English language had deteriorated into a hybrid of hillbilly, valleygirl, inner-city slang and various grunts. Joe was able to understand them, but when he spoke in an ordinary voice he sounded pompous and faggy to them."
I laughed like hell at that last sentence, 13 s., even as I wanted to cry.
I have to get hold of that movie.
MAH
I agree that the cheese anecdote is delightful.
Post a Comment