Evan Barker’s detailed description of ‘progressive’ political animals reminded me that I had seen the same critters when campaigning for Gene McCarthy in 1968. And they were already familiar in ’68 after reading a 1943 book by Max Shulman.
I misremembered the title; it was Barefoot Boy with Cheek, not his later Rally Round the Flag, Boys. Ordered Barefoot Boy, started reading it again for the first time since 1963 or so.
Nothing New encompasses all of college life, not just the political types. Shulman also has fun parodying his fellow writers including Steinbeck. The first chapter is Grapes.
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Memes: Every chapter starts with a deep and meaningful quote from a famous writer.
Le livre est brun. — RABELAIS
La crayon est sur la table. — VOLTAIRE
Pommes de terre sont bon. — MOLIERE
Ou est mon chapeau? — ANATOLE FRANCE
Shulman was ahead of the curve here, perhaps because CS Lewis, GK Chesterton, and Einstein weren’t household words yet.
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Curriculum:
Our hero is getting orientation from a college official about the necessity of a well-rounded “liberal education”.
Sociology of every ethnicity, psychology of every ethnicity, literature of every ethnicity. Sounds mighty familiar; only the specific ethnicities have changed.
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Professors and textbooks:
Extremely constant. I’m in the biz so I know! Transcribing the last paragraph: Don’t try to sell them, either. I’m writing a new set right now. You don’t think I live on my salary, do you? Why, the third-string fullback made more than I did last year.
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Speaking of football:
1943: Our hero joins a frat. As part of recruiting they show him their most illustrious member, a musclebound football player. While on display the gorilla reminds the keeper that his monthly paycheck was late.
1968: I took a debate class. The assigned topic was whether college football should be professionalized to clean up under-the-table payments.
2026: Our “senator” Cantwell has proposed a “law” to professionalize college football to clean up under-the-table payments.
