[Looking at history and why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.]

If you listen to legacy media, bureaucrats, and some quasi-environmentalists, you would think the world is going to pieces in a handbasket. First, I listen to no traditional media. Their stories do not match the real-world. I do look through three alternative media news sites to determine what is happening.

The promoted perception is societal disruption, environmental disaster, and reduction in lifestyle for future generations. A trip to Oklahoma State University on Sunday dispelled all these myths in one afternoon. Yes, it is one of my Alma Maters and I was a professor there. But I attended all the major universities in the state, so I am only slightly prejudiced.

First, we attended a musical ensemble performance in the fabulous McKnight Performance Hall. This is one of the many new or refurbished buildings on campus. Interestingly, the performers were either music majors or engineering disciplines. Music is a precise mathematical process, so the two fit together.

Then we went to dinner, which started us down the road that the human race is in good hands. The party included our oldest grandson with his cute and charming girlfriend, his sister, our oldest son and his wife, my co-author bride of over five decades and me.

These were real students in the real world. Our grandson is studying electrical engineering, his girlfriend is accounting, and our granddaughter is in architectural engineering. Besides siblings, the young adults are actually friends on campus, running in similar circles, knowing each other’s friends. Why is that important? Accountability.

As an emeritus professor, keep your collegiate children close to home and connected.

Why does their major matter? These are contributing disciplines, which makes society’s lifestyle better. They are not disrupting but building more and better. With this background, they will not be dependent but will be providers.

The attitude was a phenomenal thing. The grandson, his dad, and a younger sister are all competitive weightlifters, all with state champion titles. What is obvious from the conversations is discipline and a positive mental attitude. I can do it.

The conversation was fascinating. Three generations carried on a civilized discourse with no profanity or put-downs. It was adults to adults although across decades of experience. Well, there was one negative, with a reference by a 22-year-old to a 30-year-old colleague as being old.

Oh, as we ventured around campus, they were still college students, but we did not see trouble-makers. Although collegiate attire, there was little radical. Hair was pretty much the color nature made it. Boys were boys, still attracted to girls and vice-versa. They knew who they were, without erratic gender identity. They were competitive in their arena without denigrating themselves and bulldozing their way into sports with those of different physiques.

Then we had a distinct opportunity to see the architectural studio. If you are unfamiliar, the architecture branches are the transition between the arts and the technical, physical engineering field. As such, the students pretty much live in the studio. Yes, even on Sunday evening, the place was abuzz with activity.

Even first year students had produced utterly amazing models and mock-ups. The bridges, buildings, and landscaping (think moving mountains, streams, and trees) assured us that impressive structures are ahead for the world to enjoy.

If you listen to comments from people on the coasts and the cities, it is about overpopulation, environmental destruction, and running out of energy. If they would venture outside the city, they would have a different perspective.

The grand-land around Stillwater still is almost as open as when the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee, and Seminole were forced into this amazing place almost 200 years ago. Rather than overpopulating, many cultures in the world are not reproducing sustainable populations. They are in net decline.

A little fundamental biology and understanding landscape shows that the promoted, impending environmental disaster is not. Carbon dioxide is the nutrient for trees, vegetables, and other plants. These in turn produce oxygen for humans, land animals, and birds. Nature is self-sustaining, and corrective to whatever comes along. Trees are a renewable crop.

As for energy, Oklahoma is one of the top six energy exporting states. I challenge any alternative system to be as clean as the oil and gas industry. Our state has lived with and produced the fuels and raw materials for 130 years and our land and streams are as pretty as any.

What has produced this excelling next generation? Their value system. They believe the oldest, continually used history. They live by the Ten Commandments. They value family, take personal responsibility, and know how to live from the land.

Dads take the younger kids to school, not because they have to but so they can spend time with the kids. Dads and moms spend time developing the kids’ interests and gently guiding their course of study. When the kids are old enough to have a phone, they are added to the family group chat. Everyone knows what is going on with the others, since posts are a regular event. Although scattered, grandchildren, parents, and grandparents are connected. And that is very cool.

Think about your perception of society. Is there hope or despair? What are you doing about it? We all made mistakes growing up and raising children. But there is redemption by changing. Connect or re-connect with your family. Keep it going. The wisest man in history affirmed, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Where do you obtain such good, practical advice? That child relationship never goes away. To your good health and our society’s.

Send us your histories, stories, and traditions including memories or twists. We would like to bring them along.