I spotted this graffiti the other day at a local park.  Here's my take on it.

The message is a cop out.

It's easy to show up in the dark of night and to spray some cynical message implying our country is in such disrepair that we have regressed close to 1,600 years.

The Dark Ages were not what I studied in college, but still I seem to remember it being a term used to describe the absence of written records more than it was describing the demise of an entire society. 

Either way, it's a cop out.  If you are the cowardly author of that graffiti then you strike first making some ridiculous proclamation about the world around you being dark and dank and depressing.  You make a proclamation and, in one fell swoop, absolve yourself from being part of the solution.

We've seen it a million times.

"Don't blame me, I voted for..."

"Education isn't what it used to be..."

"Management doesn't get it..."

Negativity is an excuse to be complacent.  If you position yourself on the side of the other guy (or in this case, a different and seemingly more prosperous time) then you get the luxury of sitting back and watching others try to make things better.  It's not your problem.  You, after all, saw the writing on the wall.  You knew better.  In fact, you are so much smarter, you (and your graffiti) have been trying to warn us all along.  

Here's my message back to whoever the sad and disenfranchised person is who spray painted his (or her) message at my local park:

Shine Dammit!

Stop conceding that these are the Dark Ages and do something about it.  Save the time, money, and energy you spent on your graffiti and make a contribution that will help Power the Planet with Shine.  According to you, there is plenty to choose from.

Use today's Community Forum (turned graffiti board) to tell me what you think.

Shining off until tomorrow...