A topic of conversation, up for your interpretation and comments
Hypothesis: The way individualism is expressed in the United States is toxic, extreme and in the long run, will contribute to the downfall of this country.
Citizens of the USA are bombarded by the media constantly, being told they deserve the best, the fastest, the biggest of everything. We are told that we shouldn't have to tolerate waiting for anything. We should never be uncomfortable in any way. We should never have to work for anything or earn anything - we have the "right" to anything we want, right now. Commercials for everything from high-speed internet to cars emphasize these "rights" as the natural consequence of living in this country. The one commercial that sticks out in my mind is one run by Comcast, claiming to offer the best service for people who just don't want to wait; another commercial [if anyone has a clue what business it's for, please let me know, I can't remember] that features a guy who is so impatient that fast food isn't "fast enough" and a one-hour photo developing center is "too slow!" "I want it now!" isn't just the cry of a spoiled child, it is the mantra of the USA citizen!
I believe that this poisonous attitude is already showing up in multiple ways throughout the country. It appears in our driving habits (as discussed by many of us in our livejournals in the past few weeks), our cell phone use, our interactions with telemarketers and customer service agencies (especially on the phone), our interactions with retail & salespeople, and in a hundred other ways.
This impatience is also infecting our children, told from birth by parents, teachers and the media that they don't have to wait, they will be immediately gratified, whatever their whim. I believe that their impatience with society and each other will eventually sow so much ill feeling between people that the society is pulled apart entirely. I know that's an extreme position to take, but I believe that unless there are major forces in the country that oppose this extreme individualism, the country will be torn apart by it.
Please keep in mind that I have just voiced my own opinion, and that I am not taking into account the amazing and noble things that individualism has brought to me personally and to our country (for example, our many freedoms). I am, however, worried by the things I see, and worried about raising children in an atmosphere of "me me me!" I fear that we will be helpless against the hundreds of other influences on our children's lives, and that all David and I can hope for is to do our best to teach our children to value other people's opinions, beliefs and humanity.
Citizens of the USA are bombarded by the media constantly, being told they deserve the best, the fastest, the biggest of everything. We are told that we shouldn't have to tolerate waiting for anything. We should never be uncomfortable in any way. We should never have to work for anything or earn anything - we have the "right" to anything we want, right now. Commercials for everything from high-speed internet to cars emphasize these "rights" as the natural consequence of living in this country. The one commercial that sticks out in my mind is one run by Comcast, claiming to offer the best service for people who just don't want to wait; another commercial [if anyone has a clue what business it's for, please let me know, I can't remember] that features a guy who is so impatient that fast food isn't "fast enough" and a one-hour photo developing center is "too slow!" "I want it now!" isn't just the cry of a spoiled child, it is the mantra of the USA citizen!
I believe that this poisonous attitude is already showing up in multiple ways throughout the country. It appears in our driving habits (as discussed by many of us in our livejournals in the past few weeks), our cell phone use, our interactions with telemarketers and customer service agencies (especially on the phone), our interactions with retail & salespeople, and in a hundred other ways.
This impatience is also infecting our children, told from birth by parents, teachers and the media that they don't have to wait, they will be immediately gratified, whatever their whim. I believe that their impatience with society and each other will eventually sow so much ill feeling between people that the society is pulled apart entirely. I know that's an extreme position to take, but I believe that unless there are major forces in the country that oppose this extreme individualism, the country will be torn apart by it.
Please keep in mind that I have just voiced my own opinion, and that I am not taking into account the amazing and noble things that individualism has brought to me personally and to our country (for example, our many freedoms). I am, however, worried by the things I see, and worried about raising children in an atmosphere of "me me me!" I fear that we will be helpless against the hundreds of other influences on our children's lives, and that all David and I can hope for is to do our best to teach our children to value other people's opinions, beliefs and humanity.