Intelligent Discourse?

Where has it gone? Why has the water cooler conversation deteriorated to discussions about reality television, Lady Gaga and hockey fights? What do these things say about the direction our society is headed? Is this the sort of thing that lead to the downfall of the Romans?

I'm not here to endorse this web site but the image really resonates with me. Every time I'm find myself listening to to or involved in an asinine conversation, it makes me feel as though my soul is being stolen. New York City used to be home to interesting people who did interesting things, and clearly there are still people here who embody those characteristics, but it seems as though they are few and far between. I'm not suggesting that in order to live in NYC you need to be a card carrying member of MENSA but I am strongly suggesting you have read a book in the last few weeks, months, or even year. I am strongly suggesting that taking advantage of living in arguably the best city in the world, entails more than pub crawls on the Upper East Side.

NYC I'm begging you to stop dumbing yourself down in order to make yourself more palatable to the masses. In fact, I'm not begging, I'm demanding you find the edge you once had. I'm officially calling for a return to the glory days when the topic of the day had more to do with the art/music/fashion scene exploding out of downtown rather than the Real Housewives of New Jersey. I keep hearing that May 21, 2011 is doomsday. Lets not allow that prophecy to come true. Lets change fate to make May 21st become the day we as a city (as a nation even) bring back INTELLIGENT DISCOURSE!