Part A:  

The start of Part A begins with my apology.  The factors that resulted in my not being in the classroom in-person were of a serious nature.  I am hesitant to provide further details other than I bear the responsibility for my 91 yr old aunt. She wants to remain 'independent' but also does not exhibit good judgement for the past several years.  It's complicated but I was concerned for her welfare due to reasons that are not appropriate for this setting.  

Simply know that I meant no insult, nor disrespect for your time.  It is my pleasure to share the learning opportunities with you during the OSHER classes. 

Now, let's get going on your class!  PART 1

• In this section of your course content, I deconstruct some of the causes for this time in American history.  Looking at the foundational import of human values I then pivot to polling data.  (I am a little 'rough around the edges' in delivery as I am getting used to this format.  But as I get more comfortable, the delivery improves!) 
• Providing with you polling data and questions that are intended to surface your own learning, this section concludes with the basis for the political and societal polarization of today's America. 
• Today is Friday, December 2.  Our next meeting is Wednesday December 7, via Zoom. I hope that you will have the time to review this content in the next 6 days to be ready for the next class. 

Part B:

In Part B we continue with additional polling information to provide further insight into the socio-economic pressures which underlie the extreme polarization as well as increasing acceptance for violence. I also shared excerpts from two important texts which I used for my  research. I highly recommend "Evil Geniuses" by Kurt Andersen and "The Changing World Order" by Ray Dalio. Next week we will tidy-up the topics and themes. Be sure to bring your comments and questions.  There will be time for your contribution. I'll see you soon!  - Beth 

What do these images have to do with our course?  You'll have to view the recorded lecture materials to know the answer!  

Part C: A look at how wealth inequality is leading to disruption in America

During this hour we will look at the data for indices which provide causal reasoning for the social dislocation that is contributing to the polarization in society, but even more so in the political system. 

**Due to a 'glitch' with the software, the positioning and size of all the images are disproportionate to what they should be; thereby making the lettering and other enhancements less than ideal.  Nonetheless, I have uploaded the content. To repair the visual size would result in a week's delay and I decided it was more important to provide you with this content.  In the next and final lecture, it is expected that the visual material will be sized correctly and more visually appealing. 

Recorded on 12/7/22

Part D: we finish our look at American Exceptionalism with a few remedies and prescriptions for these times  

In both parts C and D you see new content that was not in the LIVE class.  Did you recognize it in part C?  The 'new content' in part D will allow a familiar character to speak to these disrupting times.  This character might well be the placeholder for the nation at a time when choices of the past led to the disrupting times of today. Will we learn from these times? What choices will we make today? The choices today lead to the results of the future. 

Recorded on 12/7/2022