Does anyone remember the 50's? Dr. Sexson, I know you do. As a later generation, I was taught that the 50's were filled with romanticism, chivalry, and freedom (or that's what Hollywood wants us to think). What was so different 50 years ago? It seems there's a lot of things. There were plenty of factors that created the clash between the rebels and the "leave it to Beavers." The most important factors were the Cold War and the pressure for equal rights for minorities and women. The constant threat of a nuclear attack made people re-think their lives. The image of motorcycle gangs and The Fonz were representations of youngsters living in the moment. There was also the rebellion against the "perfect American image." Television produced nuclear families including mom, junior, and pops, to show the rest of the world they were fighting perfection. So much was going on that helped create an ultimate diverse community. The beat movement was created by the constant battle between the two opposites. Without that clash we would be missing vital parts of history, like Happy Days. Ong says, "Song is the remembrance of song's sung," or in German "Gesang est deseim," song is existence (and if I spelled that wrong it is out of memory that I am writing this...so back off you corrective Nazis). The 50's are an important part of American history, and a time that will never be recreated. Without the rebel there wouldn't be the leather jacket, but seriously, we wouldn't have beat poetry. The beat movement was a transition towards expressionism (I might have made expressionism up). They are called confessional poets, Anne Sexton or Sylvia Plath. Before the popularity of rebellion, depressing poetry that was written about yourself was taboo. All these things add to what we as generation X, Y, and Z know today. Without Anne Sexton the poetry I wrote as a teenager would be in a dumpster, but now I know I can sell it. Without the 50's there wouldn't be the 60's and then Americans would be lost because we would be out an entire decade of drug experimentation. So, what does this have to do with memory? I don't know, I just like the picture.