With all the newest
5 months ago
technologies to make life more enjoyable and ways to communicate easier, is society becoming better? Or are people nastier than ever to one another?
Comments:
It is
just that the pendulum swings in a much bigger arc between the two now. I think about the people I have met here, the friendships I have made that I wouldn’t have had an inking of otherwise. These people give me hope that there is still a bit of sanity in the world and that there are little corners where goodness prevails. On the other hand I do think that it has become easier for nastiness to be shown. A work mate of my mum’s had a frantic phone call from her 18 year old daughter a few weeks ago….. she had just received a video message on her mobile showing her 14 year old sister being bashed at school by her supposedly best friend surrounded by kids with their phones out.
They had their
mobiles out like it was a spectator sport…or as witness to violence?
I just think that all these technologies and conveniences should make it easier to stay closer with those you love and meet and keep great friends at great distances…like on 43 Things. But overall I think people are just becoming nastier and more selfish than ever before. I’m out and about for 9-10 hours a day and many of the people I encounter are just out there for what’s-in-it-for-me? It seems like it’s worse than ever…but maybe it’s where I live, too…
Just dunno….
Like a spectator sport
they were cheering away like mad.
I do agree that there is an awful lot of that nastiness and me, me, me syndrome out there. I know that when I ask the kids to do something I am often met with groans, do I have to or only if I can get something out of the prize box. maybe technology has exposed people to more of the world…. and those that have materialistic tendencies become more self-centred as they see things they hadn’t thought about.
I guess it is up to the few of us that remain knowing that none of that counts in the long run, that your value is based on how you treat those around you, and the people who choose to be around you to try and shift the tide a little.
I think
you are spot on when you say it is up to the rest of the sane ones to try and make the world a better place. I certainly try to do the best I can in that regard. But one thing I have a hard time turning my back to is when people want to walk on me. That is when my blood boils and I won’t be walked on. And it seems that there are a great many people who enjoy this. Maybe that’s why I’m the introvert that I am. I’m only talkative and outgoing when I’m with people I trust and enjoy being with.
But yes, the arc has swung quite wide as far as manners and the lack-of is concerned. Sad…
But not
allowing yourself to be walked upon is a great way of standing for decency. There are a great many people who think that the only way they can get ahead is to stomp all over others…. they think this is acceptable because the concept of common courtesy and empathy has all but gone in a lot of places. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with expecting others to be respectful.
I am tired of the
what’s-in-it-for-me attitude. Nothing is in it for you unless you make it work for you. Where I work it was the attitude for a long time, not sure what it is now.
Not sure if it
is nastiness but more like impatiance.
With being able to get information instantly from twitter, news programs and the likes of.
DoubleN is working on surviving till year's end
That
is a really good point. I see it in myself – I consider myself to be a mostly-nice person, but get me behind the wheel of a car, and that impatience kicks in big-time. And technological advances do play into that.
We all have those
thoughts. We want it now, I want to be seen now (by our doctors) and move over I am coming through, it has become the custom for most.
Sometimes I find it sad.
Unless you use
your vehicle as intimidation, I think you can’t be all that bad. C’mon! You’re DoubleN. :)
But my point is about how much I have to concentrate on what my reactions can be if the lady on her Blackberry, or the guy reading the newspaper, or the girl texting, or man on his laptop swerve toward me. People are doing everything but driving and it stresses me out completely. Not only that, but they get irked at me when they barely miss me. Wah! WTF??? No wonder I just want to stay home all weekend without going out the front door.
I need a mountain retreat right about now!
