Rod Serling - the Nostradamus of our time?

The nearly 50 year old episode of Twilight Zone that describes a group of adults terrorized by a 6 year old telekinetic narcissist is on as a part of SYFY's July 4^th weekend Twilight Zone Marathon. I know many of you are familiar with the story, but for the benefit of those who are not, the premise is a small American farm village in Ohio is taken over by a cute but devilish little 6 year old boy who somehow is able to read peoples minds and when their thoughts don't conform to his childish ideals, he disposes of them in the most creative and horrible ways. In one case he mutes his Aunt who particularly enjoys singing, because she dared to discipline him for his bad behavior. In another case, he turned a family friend into a jack-in-the-box (with his original human face) and teleports him into a corn field.

I couldn't help but see the parallels with our society over the last several generations. We've raised millions of immature, politically correct narcissists – who thankfully aren't telekinetics. But go against their idea of approved non-critical thought and see what happens. You may not be turned into a jack-in-the-box and banished to a corn field, but they will do everything to mute you like the 6 years old fiends favorite aunt. You will be marginalized, fired, slandered and your life otherwise destroyed if they can manage it.

My attitude on this Independence Day eve is a conflicted one: I feel great gratitude and sad incredulity - the miracle of the American Independence versus life in the American “Twilight Zone” 235 years later. Who would have thought Rod Serling was a prophet?