Philosophy is like sit-ups for the mind, and to be honest there are times where we all feel like throwing up, but one day we'll all be grateful for the exercise.
I've been thinking long and hard about this series of blogs, and I am glad to finally post this long awaited chapter.
Today's topic is fast food and the lasting mentality.
Burger, fries and a drink. Pull around to the next window. Pay and leave.
To so many of us time is a rare commodity. We do anything to save time, even if it is admittedly unhealthy for us. Fast food has been a staple and a corner stone for hungry and pressed for time individuals for many years now. There have been countless studies on the physical effects of fast food, but I would venture to say that not many people have waded through the effects of fast food as a behavioral science.
Many of us are familiar with the scientist Pavlov and his dogs he was studying. Every time he fed the dogs he rang a bell, until such a time as when the dogs were so accustomed to the bell signifying food that they would drool/salivate upon hearing the bell alone.
The dogs reacted to the sound of the bell both chemically but also mentally by assuming there would be food.
I don't think we are all that different biologically than the dogs in Pavlov's experiment.
If we go to the drive through at McDonald's why do we get upset if it takes longer than 2 or 3 minutes? Why do we grow impatient when we are asked to hold, when we are on a phone call? Why is it that wherever we are driving and when we get there is more important than the speed limits that have been established for our safety? Why is losing a cell phone a life ending event? Why are we, the people, so impatient as a whole?
I think the answer is simple. It might sound silly, but really honestly think it through and you'll see the truth in what I am saying.
Fast food is one of the reasons that society lacks patience. I am not trying to prove or state any facts, but look at the reasoning.
I think proper phraseology would be "instant gratification". It is something people have come to expect. Could you imagine what the world would be like if every farmer was so mad he he quit working because the corn he planted 5 minutes ago wasn't done growing yet? It's illogical.
It makes me worry when people are so impatient around me. It stresses me out just being around them. Helping an impatient person is a nightmare.
I don't want to come off ungrateful or condescending, because I am very very glad to live in a world that has tasty things like Carl's Jr., but I really feel like people need to sit back and relax a little more. Save yourself the heart attack, eat healthier, and be a little more patient. It certainly won't kill you, but it might save your life.
Instant gratification is like a cancer spreading through society at break neck speed, weakening our morals, strangling our values and smothering the very core of our existence.
Divorce. Let's talk about it. Why is it that divorce rates are higher than they have ever been? Are people worse than they used to be? I would sure hope not. Some people attest divorce rates to be on the rise because society is no longer religious as it once was. I am not so convinced. Divorce rates are just as high among religious groups as they are anywhere.
Don't misunderstand me, the issue I have is far deeper than a failed relationship.
What about information? Text messaging, emails and the internet have conditioned society to an instant access of knowledge, or at least the appearance of knowledge.
Fast food is cheap and easy, it appears to save us time until we eat ourselves to death.
Medicine is a rampant pest among society. We have a cure for almost everything. Cough, itch, pain, depression, anxiety, zits, you name it there is a pill. Why? Why is there a cure for everything? Is it really that simple? Do all your problems go away by taking a simple little pill?
I'm not suggesting that any of these pills are useless, rather that a society so dependent on cure-alls and quick fixes is not headed in the right direction.
Speeding. Yeah I get it you are in a hurry. Who isn't? I would wager that you want to arrive there in one piece as well.
The amount of "get rich quick" scams out there is ridiculous, only more sickening is the number of greedy people who fall for them.
The list goes on and on. Every facet of our lives is encompassed by something that damages our society.
It boggles my mind that instead of utilizing the technology and resources we have to accomplish more and progress as a society towards utopian goals like solving world hunger and establishing world peace, we would rather let the technology do the work for us so we can be a fat lazy society coasting off yesterdays achievements.
I don't want to be that person. It's not that I care about what other people say, or what my ancestors will think of me. Those things don't bother me. What really gets to me, what really itches and nags and screams in my ear is the feeling of knowing I could be better than I am. The thought that I could miss my chance to make something of myself, all because I was too worried about my "favorite" TV show, or whether or not someone else was fixing all my problems.
There isn't a pill or a scam or a magical URL that can cure the rot and disease that threatens our society. There isn't a new world to run away to. This mess is ours. We must fix it.
The road is not easy, but difficult and steep,
to climb to the mountaintop high;
To anchor one's flag, on the mountain peak,
to wave in the bright blue sky.
Beware of the danger, the weather, the sleet,
but be not discouraged to die;
For they who sit safely in their hidden retreat,
Are dead because they don't try.
Divorce. Let's talk about it. Why is it that divorce rates are higher than they have ever been? Are people worse than they used to be? I would sure hope not. Some people attest divorce rates to be on the rise because society is no longer religious as it once was. I am not so convinced. Divorce rates are just as high among religious groups as they are anywhere.
Don't misunderstand me, the issue I have is far deeper than a failed relationship.
What about information? Text messaging, emails and the internet have conditioned society to an instant access of knowledge, or at least the appearance of knowledge.
Fast food is cheap and easy, it appears to save us time until we eat ourselves to death.
Medicine is a rampant pest among society. We have a cure for almost everything. Cough, itch, pain, depression, anxiety, zits, you name it there is a pill. Why? Why is there a cure for everything? Is it really that simple? Do all your problems go away by taking a simple little pill?
I'm not suggesting that any of these pills are useless, rather that a society so dependent on cure-alls and quick fixes is not headed in the right direction.
Speeding. Yeah I get it you are in a hurry. Who isn't? I would wager that you want to arrive there in one piece as well.
The amount of "get rich quick" scams out there is ridiculous, only more sickening is the number of greedy people who fall for them.
The list goes on and on. Every facet of our lives is encompassed by something that damages our society.
It boggles my mind that instead of utilizing the technology and resources we have to accomplish more and progress as a society towards utopian goals like solving world hunger and establishing world peace, we would rather let the technology do the work for us so we can be a fat lazy society coasting off yesterdays achievements.
I don't want to be that person. It's not that I care about what other people say, or what my ancestors will think of me. Those things don't bother me. What really gets to me, what really itches and nags and screams in my ear is the feeling of knowing I could be better than I am. The thought that I could miss my chance to make something of myself, all because I was too worried about my "favorite" TV show, or whether or not someone else was fixing all my problems.
There isn't a pill or a scam or a magical URL that can cure the rot and disease that threatens our society. There isn't a new world to run away to. This mess is ours. We must fix it.
The road is not easy, but difficult and steep,
to climb to the mountaintop high;
To anchor one's flag, on the mountain peak,
to wave in the bright blue sky.
Beware of the danger, the weather, the sleet,
but be not discouraged to die;
For they who sit safely in their hidden retreat,
Are dead because they don't try.
