The author expresses a slight prejudice against students, stating that they should not be treated as ignorant and stupid, but rather as individuals who should be sent home and not receive higher education at public expense. They argue that students should develop a sense of responsibility and be the last to create destructive mobs, reading books instead of burning them.
The author is particularly concerned about the “demonstrations” that appear on TV news, which seem to be more depressed and revolting than the occasional rags. These mobs defy international law, custom, and usage, and may be part of government policy. The author believes that the world is living in a sinister circus, with governments trying to destroy long-accepted forms and civilities that make international relations possible.
The author also mentions that the enthusiasm for destruction and violence among students is not driven by political enthusiasm but by a frenzied delight in destruction. They believe that these students are taking their proper place, giving a lead to youth everywhere. They argue that in countries where young men are most carefully and expensively nurtured, they proceed to knock hell out of everything, even vandalism.
The author notes that towns that would not risk a penny rate for the arts now face a bigger bill every year to restore public property that has been idiotically or malevolently destroyed. A woman who had taught in junior schools for forty years told her that the most recent children were far and away the most destructive she had ever known; they just wanted to smash things.
The author recalls rough times in the North, such as drunken fights and violent games in elementary schools. However, the author cannot recall the malevolent destructiveness and violence of today’s society. The author believes that these issues are not due to energy surplus but rather a neurotic or psychotic heartlessness, cold disregard for others, and hatred of life. He also notes that some people do not belong to the human race and may not admire them. The author is concerned about the future of society, as the world seems to be becoming increasingly dangerous, with young people eager to create rather than destroy. They remain puzzled by the explanations given for this, such as H-bombs, bad homes, irresponsible parents, dead-end jobs, and boring environments.
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