Frustrated by the state of world affairs today? Care to return to simpler times, filled with people, and topics that everyone can relate to? Let us climb into the wayback machine to 1976 and reflect on the legend of the oracle Howard Beale.
After a long, successful career as a news anchorman, Beale was given his Two Weeks Notice, due to declining ratings. Angered by this negative Performance Review, and an increasing Hostile Work Environment, and feelings of inadequacy to solve world problems with the economy, the Russians and crime on the street; Howard took to the media to publicly threaten to kill himself on the air with One Shot.
Even though his satirical statement about suicide was intentionally “fake news”, and under the guise of apologizing to his audience for his last outburst, Howard took to the air on another tirade. Kicking up another media Dust Storm in front of all his viewers he aired his frustration with the world around him, asking everyone to declare that we are human beings, and that our lives have value. However, instead of being a leader and inspiring change, he discouraged Action Items like protests or writing to your congressman. Rather, his only direction was for us to get… MAD AS HELL.
Howard’s public rants brought him increased ratings, fueled by everyday people attracted to a point where reality meets entertainment. This story, and its context looking towards 2020, continues to make me mad as [Explicative Deleted], but I guess I’ll take some Paid Time Off, just sit back down, grab a beer and continue taking it…