SO
BUSY WE HAVEN'T TIME TO THINK?
SHOULD WE THINK ABOUT THAT??!
By: Joan E. Battey
Down through years of our history, we've often adopted phrases that seemed to
universally describe many situations. The phrases were popular because the wording cut
across most divides in cultures and interests. One phrase in particular might explain
today's many quagmires and unpleasant situations now seeming to grow faster than ever
before. It was: "I'm so busy, I don't have time to think."
Is it time to make concerted efforts to "TAKE time to think"? Think about how
and why many messy quagmires are alive, well, and dominating news and views everywhere.
Or, is it already too late,? Real news, real information, real inspiration and motivation
are already leaving by the express lanes of "poke 'debit' and sign". Hurry up!
Pick up your yard-long slip of debt of the moment, plus teasers for planning your next
trip to the "five items or less" check-out line.
No, it's not a joke. It's been steadily happening, as more and more aspects of our
lives are based on fast-changing activities, and the excitement of changes infused into a
fast-changing activities-focus. Have we, in this run-up to Christmas, aided by evaporation
of enjoyment of Thanksgiving, all but lost our way? Have we completely lost any possible
exit from the Pied Piper fast-lane trip over the cliffs? Did we, long ago, exchange the
old "baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet," for the power ball promises
of a life of ease, little effort and great rewards? Did we completely lose a possible exit
from the Pied Piper fast trip over the cliffs?
We've become not only too busy to think; but, more important, too busy to stop aiding
that rush over the cliffs. These thoughts were already germinating, before some scary
possible proof of its being almost too late for hope of any change-of-focus thinking. Many
of us have long been informed by the formerly mostly-informative Fox and Friends
assortment of news topics and commentary. It, almost the last bastion of overview of
topics and news, has now apparently joined the cadence-calling, speeded-up, mindless
quick-step march to the edge of the proverbial cliff. |
In fact, one of the features this morning featured a prankster mom's
involvement in a prankster daughter's plan to appear to be falling off a high rocky cliff,
supported by her elbows, yelling over the "top" for help ! A ledge supporting
her was not at first noted. The supposed family prank vaulted into huge amounts of
attention on national TV, overbalancing ominous other news in need of serious attention.
Also, came a featured argument among the three regular "friends" on the program;
two to one against retaining any teaching of "cursive writing" in schools. It
seems that today young children are already into designing apps, as part of their projects
at school, and now have no need of ability to "write cursive." Then, came the
news/promotion segment of a gorgeous long-haired cheerleader and her successful
fame-seeking project to raise thousands of dollars for a health charity, with the high
dollar goal pledge to have her head shaved on the field, during the half-time performance
at whatever football game du jour she cheers at today. Priceless?? Or in aid of likely
follow-on rewards?
In between segments, the news briefly reported on the growing mayhem in the Middle
East, with on-scene photos of fires and massive rioting. Those who thought they had
voted-in "good change" are having a very bad morning-after with edicts issued by
their "successful" candidate.Our own news is filled with maniacal overnight
shopping activities in aid of getting overpriced-on-sale fad items for Christmas bargains.
The shopping mania news focus included many out-of-control criminal actions, and lavish
displays of excessive greed, and behaviors. Merry Christmas? Little time to absorb the
implications of lesser-publicized news here could put "finish" to future
shopping for other than basic necessities?
What are we Number One in today? Long ago a successful ad encouraged people to
"take the bus and leave the driving to us." How many aspects of daily lives
expanded on that idea, and focused on the ride? What are the intended destinations now
emerging into view everywhere? Even the news that is still eagerly read or watched, has
steadily changed. In earlier times it provided needed information; but now it's so
steadily changing as to be almost void of real news. Especially if it's available only
with added fees and restricted access.
Are we almost back to the days of Pony Express riders carrying what communication and
news would fit in their saddlebags, across rough and often dangerous routes? We've
willingly jumped onto the bandwagon of being too busy to think. Will we soon have endless
time with nothing to do but think -- about how we used to be able to be "too busy to
think"??
"Published originally at EtherZone.com :
republication allowed with this notice and hyperlink intact."
Joan
E. Battey is a freelance political writer from Apalachin, NY. Her
love of logical dot connecting and writing developed over many years of typesetting
and proof reading in small daily newspapers; ad agency and manufacturing office
secretarial work, and volunteer work in libraries, animal welfare, political campaigns,
and networks of people keeping abreast of the steady "reforms" in education. She
is a regular columnist for Ether Zone.
Joan E. Battey can be reached at:
jedithb@stny.rr.com
Published in
the November 27, 2012 issue of
Ether Zone.
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