Alistair Cooke, Adlai Stevenson and Bergen Evans and the moderator, as always is Clifton Fadiman.

It's very interesting to hear the bafflement of these panel members over the concept of a non-conforming American. The speculation that it has something to do with the Cold War and a reaction to fear of nuclear annihilation is somewhat awe inspiring. Although I suspect that's partly true, the idea that "these non-conformists" perplex the likes of Adlai Stevenson and Alistair Cooke is a little worrisome. But given the times and the somewhat puritanical leanings of our society in the 1950's, and well before, I guess it is not all that strange in retrospect. But still, listening to this program you get the unmistakable feeling we were living in a very repressive society at the time.

Further evidence going back isn't all it's cracked up to be.