I think most of us know that after WWII, it all went downhill culturally. Perhaps it was the horror of the war that made everyone from America to Russia hate themselves and their country; I can’t figure it out.
I think it was because we had plenty. No great enemies the threat of nuclear arms and powerful armed forces couldn’t ultimately deter, and no real privations. We thought we could afford to entertain and even implement a lot of bunkum.
I think Lincoln claimed that it is not adversity that tests real character, but affluence.