Doug’s Dime: Halloween Is Losing Steam

A new survey found that people have turned from the Old Ways and are simply not in the spirit of Halloween. Sure, some people will observe the more casual fall activities, with 47 percent saying they plan to watch a scary movie, and 43 percent will display Halloween decorations, but the holiday has been just so commercialized: 46 percent will consume pumpkin-flavored foods or drinks, as if that’s any kind of replacement for confronting the seasonal spectre of mortality or celebrating Samhain at a sylvan bonfire. A pathetically low 18 percent of respondents will play tricks on people, just 13 percent will go on a hayride and only 13 percent will visit a haunted house. Wouldst thou like to live deliciously? Evidently not. Taylor Orth, YouGov