I was in Austin in the late 70s and much of what people say about it now was true back then. Texas Instruments was the tech giant, UT was highly regarded and its campus (and to some extent Texas A&M) and the Capitol dominated upper echelons of cultural life.
It seemed like half of the SF counterculture had decamped to Austin, (and were complaining that subsequent incomers were spoiling the scene) and local heroes like Willie Nelson and Alvin Crow and Dan del Santo were keeping the music going.
I had a ball.
J Bryant
2 years ago
“I met some friends from Portland over the weekend and they couldn’t stop talking about how free they felt, how liberating it was that they didn’t have to wear masks or conceal their opinions for fear of social ostracisation.”
There are now plenty of youtube videos documenting the exodus of disenchanted residents from California. One of the prime destinations for these cultural migrants is Texas because it’s seen as less woke and dysfunctional. But the comments section to these videos are full of people complaining that the California refugees are bringing their politics with them. Somehow they seem to think they can separate their left-wing ideology from the chaos that inevitably follows.
Long may Austin remain weird in a good way and not in the San Francisco way.
Andrew Lale
2 years ago
A friend of mine lives in Austin. He’s a closet communist who runs a high tech consultancy and has millions of dollars. He seems to fit in well. Nothing like those rich commies!
Last edited 2 years ago by Andrew Lale
LCarey Rowland
2 years ago
Two roads diverged in a big red state,
one to Austin, the other to Waco.
I chose the Waco, and that has made all the difference.
Thank God!
Drahcir Nevarc
2 years ago
I spent a few weeks in “Jane” in 1988. I was staying with my sister’s ex, who was doing a degree in film studies, and he got me an extra’s role on the low-budget psycho-thriller he was 2nd assistant director of.
Last edited 2 years ago by Drahcir Nevarc
Lloyd Byler
2 years ago
I see what you did there.. equating ‘free speech’ as crazy and wierd.
I was in Austin in the late 70s and much of what people say about it now was true back then. Texas Instruments was the tech giant, UT was highly regarded and its campus (and to some extent Texas A&M) and the Capitol dominated upper echelons of cultural life.
It seemed like half of the SF counterculture had decamped to Austin, (and were complaining that subsequent incomers were spoiling the scene) and local heroes like Willie Nelson and Alvin Crow and Dan del Santo were keeping the music going.
I had a ball.
“I met some friends from Portland over the weekend and they couldn’t stop talking about how free they felt, how liberating it was that they didn’t have to wear masks or conceal their opinions for fear of social ostracisation.”
There are now plenty of youtube videos documenting the exodus of disenchanted residents from California. One of the prime destinations for these cultural migrants is Texas because it’s seen as less woke and dysfunctional. But the comments section to these videos are full of people complaining that the California refugees are bringing their politics with them. Somehow they seem to think they can separate their left-wing ideology from the chaos that inevitably follows.
Long may Austin remain weird in a good way and not in the San Francisco way.
A friend of mine lives in Austin. He’s a closet communist who runs a high tech consultancy and has millions of dollars. He seems to fit in well. Nothing like those rich commies!
Two roads diverged in a big red state,
one to Austin, the other to Waco.
I chose the Waco, and that has made all the difference.
Thank God!
I spent a few weeks in “Jane” in 1988. I was staying with my sister’s ex, who was doing a degree in film studies, and he got me an extra’s role on the low-budget psycho-thriller he was 2nd assistant director of.
I see what you did there.. equating ‘free speech’ as crazy and wierd.
I’m sure the author doesn’t think that, but, yes, the title of the piece doesn’t match its content….