It was the conformist I Like Ike 1950s. After the carnage of World War II and the beginning of what looked like an economic boom, people in the know knew not to rock the boat.
Then MAD magazine broke through the status quo. That was 1952. Incidentally, U.S. president Donald Trump came across as "old" when he alluded in public to MAD.
MAD's business was satire.
Its mascot was Alfred E. Neuman whose meme was not worrying.
Yes, the culture was riddled with worry.
Our parents, guidance counselor, and homeroom teacher warned us we had to go to college or else, we had to learn to play tennis to pass for middle class, and we females had to stay model-slim to catch a husband.
We were to become The First Therapy Generation and embraced the freedom of the counterculture.
But while in high school (the holding pattern for launching into college), we pushed MAD between the covers of American History. In study hall we disappeared into it. That might have been the Baby Boomer's first act of rebellion. The rest was cultural history.
However, times change.
MAD couldn't keep up with them. It had folded.
When it attempted a comeback several years ago, it was half-hearted. Publication was only going to be every two months.
It attempted to join in the political humor, mostly at Trump's expense. Two problems: The competition was too stiff. That strategy alienated conservative readers.
But most importantly, Neuman couldn't find his niche.
There seems no place for a Neuman type in this era when worry is code for success. Not to worry is to send the message that somehow somewhere the success train left the station without you or derailed. Yes, worry is good.
According to ComicBook.com, sources say MAD had two more issues, then it's a wrap. That will be the end of a whole era in the life of some Baby Boomers. Despite being hammered about the need to chase after extreme success, our souls yearned for the lightness of being. Neuman flipped that switch for us. No, we didn't have to worry.
Full Disclosure: During the brutal early 1980s recession I was laid off. My parents and siblings who never ventured out of the I Like Ike box were frantic for me. My quip: What, Me Worry. They were horrified. The next job resulted in a $20k bounce in salary.
No, you don't have to worry either. Use the communications strategies and hands-on content-creation services of Jane Genova. Complimentary consultation janegenova374@gmail.com. I'm here to help, not sell.
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