I have got to stop watching day-time television and cable news channels. (I SO need a job!) I saw a story yesterday that lead to a discussion that had me going "What in the green Earth has gotten into people?!" Violent shopping incidents seem to be on the rise. Holiday shopping this year involved pepper spray, and fist fights. Over the last 2 days, there have been fights and a person was stabbed over a pair of SHOES! There was a brawl in the Mall of America over a supposed appearance of a rapper. In the 80's there were near riots over toys, people were trampled and there have been instances of this in recent years on Black Friday, with workers getting killed over THINGS for crying out loud.
Our society, it seems to me, is un-evolving. We are going back to our animal roots because we are spending too much time away from each other. We are social creatures at heart, but having 3,000 "friends" you've never met on Faceplant are not a replacement for face to face contact. The generations that are being raised now, have no concept of privacy. They tell all on their twits, hoots, and with "here I am" programs on their phones (way easier for stalkers to find you!) Big Brother has trained us to watch ourselves.
Businesses are not helping this situation by making it harder for customers to find a human to talk to, or see for help. Banks are charging for paper statements, seeing a teller, and other things to force you to use the computer which is cheaper for them, and removing you one more step away from a human being. More and more companies are creating more and more elaborate automated mazes for you to go through before you may talk to a human (the worst offender is the phone company). More stores referring you to on-line options, while you are in the brick and mortar store, again shoving you away from other humans.
Video games on our phones, and other devices fill time while with others,that used to be filled with conversation. (How many of you are guilty of texting, taking calls and other things while out with a friend or on a date?) Violent video games, with ratings that many parents ignore, are played by children with no business playing them, who then in turn, go out and commit unspeakable acts "just because." We are shocked by this and wonder how this could happen.
Adults and kids spend WAY too much time on computer screens. Even e-readers are no longer just e-readers, they have to do everything and then some now. The expert that was the discussion partner for the shoe story blamed the fact that we are on top of each other too much, with us clustered too closely. He did later blame stores for creating the "limited quantities rage" meaning that stores create the in demand culture we are seeing.
I think we have the power to control this. Protest when companies take away human contact. Speak politely to sales clerks at stores. Use your manners. Hang up your flipping phone when you are ordering food, coffee or in a restaurant. (Not every one wants to hear about your sex life!) When out with friends or on a date, turn off your phone or device (yes, they do turn off!) Protest automated mazes! (I curse at the ones that you talk to. Either they hang up on me, or put me through to a person because it can't understand me.) Be polite to the rep when you get one. Write a letter instead of an email. Put down the Kindle and pick up the real book, this will mean a trip to the big building full of books called a library, which will mean you will have to actually see other people. Do not use automated check outs. Use a person.
Our society, it seems to me, is un-evolving. We are going back to our animal roots because we are spending too much time away from each other. We are social creatures at heart, but having 3,000 "friends" you've never met on Faceplant are not a replacement for face to face contact. The generations that are being raised now, have no concept of privacy. They tell all on their twits, hoots, and with "here I am" programs on their phones (way easier for stalkers to find you!) Big Brother has trained us to watch ourselves.
Businesses are not helping this situation by making it harder for customers to find a human to talk to, or see for help. Banks are charging for paper statements, seeing a teller, and other things to force you to use the computer which is cheaper for them, and removing you one more step away from a human being. More and more companies are creating more and more elaborate automated mazes for you to go through before you may talk to a human (the worst offender is the phone company). More stores referring you to on-line options, while you are in the brick and mortar store, again shoving you away from other humans.
Video games on our phones, and other devices fill time while with others,that used to be filled with conversation. (How many of you are guilty of texting, taking calls and other things while out with a friend or on a date?) Violent video games, with ratings that many parents ignore, are played by children with no business playing them, who then in turn, go out and commit unspeakable acts "just because." We are shocked by this and wonder how this could happen.
Adults and kids spend WAY too much time on computer screens. Even e-readers are no longer just e-readers, they have to do everything and then some now. The expert that was the discussion partner for the shoe story blamed the fact that we are on top of each other too much, with us clustered too closely. He did later blame stores for creating the "limited quantities rage" meaning that stores create the in demand culture we are seeing.
I think we have the power to control this. Protest when companies take away human contact. Speak politely to sales clerks at stores. Use your manners. Hang up your flipping phone when you are ordering food, coffee or in a restaurant. (Not every one wants to hear about your sex life!) When out with friends or on a date, turn off your phone or device (yes, they do turn off!) Protest automated mazes! (I curse at the ones that you talk to. Either they hang up on me, or put me through to a person because it can't understand me.) Be polite to the rep when you get one. Write a letter instead of an email. Put down the Kindle and pick up the real book, this will mean a trip to the big building full of books called a library, which will mean you will have to actually see other people. Do not use automated check outs. Use a person.
If we all band together, we can save ourselves.
I just wonder if it's worth it?