As time goes on, I’m starting to feel more and more like an ancient relic. The kinds of things I participated in as a child seem incredibly dated and impossible now.
For instance, before my illustrious career in Boy Scouts (Eagle at 13, thank you very much), and before Cub Scouts, I was in this thing called Indian Guides which, had it been allowed to exist until this day, would have been torched as a serious, serious case of unchecked cultural appropriation. I mean, honestly, it was a bunch of white guys wearing headdresses and feathers.
I did a lot of other 1950s type stuff (even though it was the 1970s), such as week-long summer camps, making lousy crafts (leather, wood, etc., usually without severe injury), and even Sunday School Summer camp. Very traditional. Very old fashioned. Really quite charming, as I look back on it.
I was reminded of this because while I was thumbing through the Palo Alto Daily Post, there was a large color ad for a summer camp. However, they weren’t going to teach you orienteering, how to sew together a crappy wallet, or how to create a lean-to shelter for survival. Nope………instead, they have this thing called Money Camp.
And, yes, in the reviews, there’s a quote from a parent who excitedly declares “….our kids are looking forward to becoming millionaires.”
Oh, Vomit.
The print ad featured – – as the video does below – – one of those stock photos of a human being so excited about something that he just has to pump his fist about it, even though such a thing has never happened in the history of the planet, ever. Nonetheless, the innocent children of Palo Alto, starting at age 13, are expected to spend a portion of their summer learning about pay stubs, 401ks, bankruptcy law, and what geographic parts of the country have the most promising career paths. Sweet baby Jesus. George Carlin would have a field day with this one.
I find it amusing, and rather fitting, that they use Pink Floyd’s song Money unironically in their video. Anyone who knows the lyrics of this song recognizes what a verbal pratfall this choice turns out to be.
Money
Get away
You get a good job with more pay and you're okay
Money
It's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash
New car, caviar, four star, daydream
Think I'll buy me a football team
Money
Get back
I'm alright, Jack, keep your hands off of my stack
Money
It's a hit
Don't give me that do goody good bullshit
I'm in the high-fidelity first-class traveling section
And I think I need a Lear jet
Money
It's a crime
Share it fairly, but don't take a slice of my pie
Money
So they say
Is the root of all evil today
