Last May, I returned to the biggest used book sale in the world, held annually in a cavernous building in Raleigh, North Carolina. Pure bibliophile heaven.

Used book sales never fail to inspire enlightenment. One of the books I bought this trip answered a long-held question of mine: Will people ever change?

The book was “Steinbeck, A Life in Letters,” 861 pages of missives from Pulitzer Prize-winning American author John Steinbeck (Grapes of Wrath).

For just one dollar, Steinbeck assured me emphatically from beyond the grave, in words written 80 years ago, that, no, people will never change.

Consider this categorized timeline of homo sapiens’ lack of psychological development from Steinbeck’s time to today:

Crazy people: Steinbeck noted that people were nuts back in 1933: “I notice that a number of reviewers complain that I deal particularly in the subnormal and the psychopathic. If critics would inspect their neighbors within one block, they would find that I deal with the normal and the ordinary.”

The news today confirms that people are still nuts.

Accusations of communism: In 1935, after receiving a rejection letter, Steinbeck wrote to a friend: “Between you and me I suspect a strong communist bias in that office,” and in 1939 complained: “Meanwhile, the Associated Farmers keep up a steady stream of accusations that I am first a liar and second a communist.”

Today’s news headlines still include things like “Accusations of socialism drive GOP’s 2019 (and 2020) playbook,” assuring us that people, amazingly, are still calling each other communists, or socialists, close enough.

Smear campaigns: Back in the 1930s, Steinbeck was told that certain people and organizations were preparing to falsify a rape case against him to discredit his reputation. He was advised to never stay in a hotel room alone.

Nothing new in today’s unsavory political environment.

Telemarketers and scammers: In 1938, Steinbeck complained that “My mail has become a thing of horror. It’s getting worse all the time.” In 1939: “The telephone is a thing of horror.”

Endless uninvited mail solicitations still seek our money and votes, and phones still ring relentlessly with money-bilking scammers.

Religious intolerance: In 1940, the Rev. L.M. Birkhead, national director of the Friends of Democracy, wrote Steinbeck: “I hope you will not think I am impertinent, but our organization has had put to it the problem of your nationality. There is very widespread propaganda, particularly among extreme reactionary religionists that you are Jewish and that Grapes of Wrath is Jewish propaganda.”

Today, intolerant psychopaths burn places of worship and murder innocent congregants.

Tabloid hysterics: In 1941, Steinbeck wrote: “Word comes to me from Hollywood that I am drinking myself to death and indulging in all kinds of vices.” This wasn’t true. He was also falsely accused in a paternity suit. Unfounded lies continue to sell tabloids today.

Political infighting: Steinbeck served as a war reporter. In 1943 while working in North Africa, he complained about visiting U.S. senators: “By now they are fighting among themselves and they are reducing American prestige to an all time low, which is very, very low.” Sound familiar?

Media sensationalism: In 1944, he wrote a friend: “The war news is good but I know how it is warped by the papers.” Media sensationalism lives on. Think “ABC World News Tonight with David Muir.”

In 1939, Steinbeck declared “The world is sick now.” Can’t argue that’s any different today.

Will people ever change? Not according to Steinbeck. But, on the bright side, one dollar was a small price to pay to confirm it.

I know I’ll never change. I’m going back to that book sale every year.

John Steward lives in Waterford and can be reached at tossinglines@gmail.com, or visit www.johnsteward.online.