Since The Reference Room encompasses all things, not just Politics, I ran across this Interview/Q&A with Philosopher/Psychologist B.F. Skinner given as part of the Program On Campus from 1972.

The topic for discussion is Beyond Freedom and Dignity, and Skinner offers some keen insights on the Human condition, circa 1972.

It's always interesting to contemplate what he'd have to say about our current state of affairs, but since he hasn't been with us for a while, we can only guess.

Here is that interview, followed by the Question and Answer period, as it was broadcast on June 17, 1972.

One thing I suppose you can say in favor of the Cold War Era is that it forced people to talk about issues they probably would have avoided like the plague any other time. Issues of mortality, morality, and democracy were all very much on peoples minds in that decade. Much of it was under the guise of paranoia which, as we all know is a given because our culture is fear-based anyway. So living in dread fear of "the bomb", "the retribution" or "the act of God" is just sort of The American Way.

These days it's distraction at any cost, which explains why mainstream media is twisting itself in knots in order not to let you look at the 700 pound Gorilla in the living room, namely - Occupy Wall Street.

But in 1959 was all about Totalitarian states and the easily identifiable "bad guys" and what sort of people were we, anyway? So the airwaves (both radio and Television) were filled with panel shows, talk shows, interview shows, documentaries, News Specials - all about our place in the World; What Direction Democracy - What Fresh Hell Is This?

This particular radio program, called appropriately enough, The Great Challenge, was a product of CBS Radio News. And it, like many programs of the day, sought to raise questions and find answers for this rapidly complicating society of ours. The topic for discussion was "Can Democracy Meet The Space Age Challenge?"

On the panel were Senator John F. Kennedy, Dr. Merle Fainsod of Harvard as well as Arthur Larson of Duke University and Clinton Rossiter. The program was moderated by veteran news reporter and anchor Eric Severeid. And typical of the tone of the program was this answer to the above question from Senator Kennedy.

Sen. John F. Kennedy: “ I would say that the basic problem is how a free society with its freedom of choice and breadth of opportunity, how that society can meet successfully the challenge of a totalitarian system which is able to devote all of the energies, both human and material, to the advancement of the interest of the state. And that is particularly pressing at a time when we’re moving into a new age and a new scientific age where the discovery of new weapons, with long range examinations of the outer limits of the universe as well as the most minute particle of electrical energy. So that I would say the basic issue is whether a democracy faced, I would think, with the most critical peril since the time of Lincoln. Whether that democracy can find a leadership to sustain itself and still maintain the freedom of that society over a long range period, I believe it can.”

Ironically, a little less than a year after this broadcast, Senator Kennedy made his intentions known for the White House - and that Era began.

But at the time, that March 24th in 1959, the attention was driven by the uncertain world, the looming obliteration and the terrifying new technology, lurking in the wings.

But like everything else - it came - it went - and life trudged on.

Here is The Great Challenge, as broadcast on March 24, 1959 .

As the Spring of 1970 turned quickly and decidedly violent, the nature of student protest to the Vietnam War escalated to a dramatic new level. Peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins were co-opted by bloody clashes between police, National Guard and students. Gone were the mere threats of armed retaliation, instead (as was disclosed in hearings after the Kent State shootings), live ammunition and buckshot became standard issue in quelling disturbances, replacing blanks and salt pellets. And since teargas was a fait acompli since the first Anti-War Protests in the early 60's, wet towels and handkerchiefs were already standard demonstration garb.

As Spring groaned on, fears mounted that, once the Summer break for most college campuses was over, the violence would escalate even further. And fears that the Autumn of 1970 would boil over into anarchy got many in the mainstream media concerned. It was just one more thing to worry about while you were carrying a sign.

So shortly after the Kent and Jackson State shootings, NBC did a special program on the changes in student protest and assembled a group of student leaders from various campuses on the East coast to discuss it.

Hosted by noted NBC reporter Edwin Newman, the panel, which consisted of Student leaders from Hunter College, Lehman College, Harvard, Long Island University and a representative of student activists in New York High Schools, answered questions and gave views on what the (then) current climate in Student protest was.

It's doubtful any lightning rod solutions came out of it - but as mainstream media went at the time, asking questions and getting points of view was a way of attempting to get at the core of some issues.

Something mainstream media seems loathed to do now - opting instead for a sort of "ready, fire, aim" approach to information gathering.

Maybe it's a good thing mainstream media hasn't been paying much attention to OWS. I don't think the cause of the Vietnam Anti-War Movement would have been well served if everyone protesting were characterized by the mainstream as a load of "bongo-playing weed heads".

Here is the NBC Special Program from May 17, 1970 featuring Edwin Newman and a panel of College Students.