April 13th or Friday the 13th. For some time now I’ve been observing Icelandic teenagers, how they stack up vis-à-vis their American counterparts. I’d say both have more similarities compared with, for example, European ones. A major difference: Icelandic teenagers—certainly not all but all too many, I’m afraid—seem more crude, even barbaric. The major difference is that they aren’t violent as sometimes in the States. I say barbaric as opposed to violent in the sense of acting in a sub-human manner. This is evident by their language, dress and all around comportment. I dislike making this observation yet found it verified by other people here who are concerned about future generations. In sum, secular consumerism in a relatively safe environment such as Icelandic society is in the process of inbreeding this sub-human element. The only way seems to be going further down the scale, at least that’s how it strikes me.

I’ve heard about this controversy over an American talk show host, Don Imus, who supposedly made racial-gender remarks about a sports team. I have only the vaguest of information, but what captured my attention on tv were shots of those offended by Imus’ remarks. There they were sitting there pouting. Not just that but enjoying every minute of having been offended. From my perch in Iceland this seems utterly foreign, from another planet. I haven’t asked anyone about it here but surely would receive some fairly withering.

Yesterday I visited a friend at LIN, the government based student loan association. This lady is, second in charge, a good friend of many years. Yesterday she returned from a day long trip to Akureyrei in the north, a 50 minute flight. She got home 3 hours late and was completely exhausted. While discussing this we talked about how people are enslaved to work and that when you retire, you look back and see little if nothing accomplished. Familiar stuff which came home while glancing at people on the street outside going about their business, i.e., all slaves to their work.