One of my favorite old tv shows to watch is the original Twilight Zone series. It’s fun to see the corny props and terrible acting. But what isn’t corny is some of the plot lines, and I contribute those to its writer, Rod Serling. The main reason why I adore the Twilight Zone is for him in fact. He was one heck of a guy, for more than just his writing and directing skills. On top of those, he was a boxer, a teacher, and even a war veteran of WWII (earning a purple heart).

Most people who have sat through an episode may brush it off as silly or outdated, but what they may not realize is how revolutionary Serling created the Twilight Zone to be in its time (which spanned 156 episodes in the early 1960’s).

Rod was an extreme protester of the strict censorship in the media and television in those years, so much so that he became known as the “angry young man.” He fought to write and broadcast a show that didn’t glaze over, but explored the controversial and sensitive topics of the time, to get people to think very hard about them, which was many times the sentiment that he left viewers with at the end of an episode.

Though the limits of censorship have changed dramatically since the 60’s, many themes presented in the Twilight Zone are very relevant even today, including prejudice, war, technology, vanity, paranoia, and many others.

In case you’re curious and have an extra 20 minutes, there are many episodes on Netflix to explore, and now you’ll understand why if you hear me humming the iconic notes to the series’ theme song when something strange is going on (:

Good morning Team! I'm just sliding through while Brenda is out for the day. Did you know that this day in 1851 Moby Dick was published by the Harper Brothers of New York? The book's author, Herman Melville had been in the Navy and Merchant Marines himself and began writing during his travels. Even after writing this famous book that I have not actually read (it's apparently about a huge whale), he was largely forgotten by the masses and became a customs agent for 20 years. It was not until the 1920's that literary scholars truly began to praise his work and it became a standard of the high school curriculum. 

This just goes to show you that as long as you follow your dreams and put out the effort you will make an impact larger than yourself at a certain point. Let's get that whale!

Good Morning Crusaders, the SlideBelts' Instagram is something I have enjoyed being a part of and I just wanted to give a big shoutout Olivia, Jess, and Bryan for the amazing job they are doing on the Women’s Instagram! This takes way more thought and work than it may seem and if you are not following this account yet you should be (or at least throw us some double-taps lol) !!!! @slidebeltsforher