December, 2005 - Nr. 12
Toronto Connection
I was recently asked the question, if I could change anything in the world, what would it be and why. My first reaction to this question was definitely the pat-beauty queen response of "World Peace". then I decided to take a closer look at how to achieve this, and realized, that world peace is really only an effect of a greater problem. I came to the realization that, especially in this season of glad tidings of peace, comfort, and joy, if I really would change anything about this world, I’d think it’s time for the world to get an attitude adjustment!
We as a society have become so obsessed with everything new, brash, and sassy that we MUST have it. We’ve completely lost the sense of what is really important in the world. We don’t communicate normally anymore, we speak through the language of blips and bleeps on a screen. Now granted, technology is one of the most wonderful and fascinating things to happen to us, and I, for one don’t think I could survive without my Internet, but in a sense that’s just what I mean; we can’t survive without it. Since when has man been so helpless without technology?
As a society, we don’t take the time to appreciate the beauties that are not necessarily man-made. So many people I know find that their most fulfilling relationships happen on one side of a screen, be it computer, television, or movie. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy my dose of pop-culture just like the rest of them, but what makes me wary is the concept of a screen. A screen is like a shield, or a veil. But it protects us from what? From each other? From interacting , and telling stories, and enjoying each others’ company and forming a sense of community? I think technology is an integral part of our world, and rightly so, but it can and should be used as a tool by us; not the other way around!
We
should still take the time to develop a sense of community and togetherness
instead of always being on guard. We should go and see a live show, even
though it is more expensive than a television show. A live show is vibrant.
It adapts to its audience with every performance. It causes you to think and
discuss things. A television show is over in an hour, making way for the
next one, so you don’t have time to process what’s happened. As a result, we
don’t value things anymore. We’re turning into the Attention deficit
Disorder generation.
If we are able to turn off the TV and communicate more, maybe we would find ourselves being much more fulfilled and satisfied individuals. We would not be as influenced by someone else’s standards or ideals; we would be forced to come up with our own! We would find solace in our own creativity, and the arts would mean something to many more people, and regain its importance in our society. It wouldn’t just be something to do to fill up that two hour gap of time on a Saturday night! If the world became more involved in the creative process in general and stopped being as influenced by consumerist ideals, maybe we would learn not to be so greedy; we would learn to use what we need to, or eat what we need to, and we would not put as much of a strain on our natural resources. We would find ourselves being healthier, and therefore happier and more confident in general. Nobody would fight at a department store while trying to grab that last $500 X-box to give our kids as a gift because they are already tired with their $400 model that’s "So last year!"
I think it’s time for the world it put down that remote, and come together as a community to help those who need it (which includes ourselves!). It’s time to stop the isolation that we’ve created for ourselves to stop us from feeling any of the negative emotions that exist. We’ve tried so hard to protect ourselves from anything bad ever happening to us that we no longer really feel anything at all. We don’t value life. We don’t value love, and we don’t value each other. If we cleaned up our acts and started tuning into that little voice at the back of our heads telling us to love life and be a good person, then maybe we would have world peace after all!
I wish you all a very peaceful, wonderful, family- and love-filled Christmas,
Caroline.
Comments to: ckuehn@echoworld.com
