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[Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic] - C-SPAN Video Library | |
www.c-spanvideo.org/program/169060-12010년 3월 11일 - 57분 Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic. Oct 28, 2001. 0. Gailer School. 57 minutes | 214 Views. View Program ... |
Understand that dependence is different from addiction. Addiction, by definition, is "the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma." (Dictionary.com) There are some symptoms of affluenza that resemble addiction, such as the uncontrollable urges of some men to buy soon-to-be-forgotten power tools, or of many women to splurge on shoes or clothes and their depressed state when prevented from doing so, but the authors address these problems and offer solutions. For example, they speak of "credit card condoms" that would make the average consumer think twice before purchasing a product, and even briefly mention drugs prescribed by psychologists that would give the patient more control over his or her actions. However, in each definition of dependence found, there is one word that makes the two definitions contrast like night and day, and this word is "reliance."
Whether we know it or not, there is little to nothing in our shopping bags after a suddenly-inspired trip to the mall that we would, or rather, should say we rely on. Perhaps this would be more appropriate to the women of the audience, but our well-being really isn't subject to whether we find that cute pair of pants or shoes. Our trains of thoughts that make us think that we absolutely need any product that, in reality, would not be essential for survival (i.e. "If I don't get that top, I might die" doesn't count) are prime indicators that affluenza has infected us, and probably most of America, to a large degree. As Affluenza says, "The more Americans fill their lives with things, the more they tell psychiatrists, pastors, friends, and family members that they feel 'empty' inside." There are several problems that can be seen in this statement, but it's obvious that more stuff does not necessarily improve the quality of one's life. We've just become accustomed over the last 50 years to thinking that we need the next, better accessory along the road to "keep up with Joneses," but what we've failed to realize is that this road is one of addiction, not satisfaction.
Although addiction and dependence are different in this context, they do have similar roots, but only recently has our dependency grown dangerously close to the point of no return. As technology has advanced over the past 50 or so years, we've broadened many of our tools' uses to the point that they've become too important for a simple remedy, such as "going cold turkey." It would be dangerous for most of us to just drop our usage of some of our ways of communication! Because we are all rely on various types of technology to connect with each other, we've created vicious nets of interdependencies that, according to Affluenza, accomplishes just the opposite; we've strayed from being citizens to consumers.
In particular, we'll observe our dependencies on the computer and the telephone, since you can do basically anything on either one nowadays. The telephone, developed initially in 1875 by Alexander Graham Bell, has gradually "advanced" from a device with which to be informed of important happenings (that would take too long to be sent via mail but were more personal than the telegraph) to a "socializing" apparatus that we frequently spend hours at a time using. As our evolution with the telephone has continued, the three authors note that we have ironically become less connected with society by being in our own little worlds with whomever we are talking.
But the trouble, as we now know, doesn't end with just talking. Now we've begun to incorporate dozens of other applications and devices into cell phones. For years now, cell phones have had games, cameras, fancy ringtones, text messaging, and even the technology to automatically use the internet to recognize songs someone else is listening to. Take, for instance, Apple's new iPhone. "iPhone is a revolutionary new product and combines three products into one." The new iPhone is a touch-screen cell phone, Apple's "best iPod [they've] ever created," and has the internet, complete with e-mail, Google Maps, and "16 other amazing applications." There's not much that you can't do with it.
The sad truth here, however, is that we all experience at least a small pang of desire to own one. This has been our nature-to want the newest, best toy out there-for as long as anyone can remember. When we remember that we've been told "more stuff doesn't make you more happy," we think to ourselves "well, this isn't stuff...this is necessary!" And after all, why not add more things you like to something that's necessary? It's convenient to have music and the internet at the press of, as they say nowadays, a screen. We just make excuses for why we need more.
But I digress. By adding all of these features to something that today is considered necessary, we bury ourselves deeper and deeper into our own little worlds that we see in these devices. We're making it more and more difficult to put down our cell phones to be more aware of our environments because we're always distracted by text messaging, e-mails, and now as much music as our hearts can desire. Yes, we rely on our cell-phones to communicate with our friends and family (although I would argue that this somehow needs to change, also), but it wouldn't be a stretch to say that the time spent on the phone out of necessity (not just chatting) has drastically fallen in the last decade, especially with the development of a device that could entertain you for hours with music, friends, games, and the endless opportunities of the world wide web.
The laptop, although less mobile and convenient, has us hooked, too. The internet is great to have on a cell phone, but a lap-top makes it so much easier to surf. We rely on computers for drafting documents, making presentations, researching, e-mailing, and any several other ways of keeping in touch with our friends and family. Why use up minutes on your cell phone when you can use e-mail? Many of these great conveniences on the computer have developed relatively recently-it used to be that we used computers for actually computing important information and for storing files to minimize on physical storage space in the cubicle. The invention of e-mail was an important land-mark as well, but was used solely to conduct business efficiently. We do indeed rely on the computer for these important uses, but like the cell phone, the computer has gradually been equipped with the technology to keep us seated for hours, playing computer games, browsing the internet, listening to music, and chatting with our friends. We would rather socialize from a desk than hang out in the park or at the mall, face-to-face. In a way, we rely on computers to shield our ever-growing laziness and as excuses for not wanting to make the effort to connect with the world.
Suppose we suddenly realized that we were spending way too much time with the cell phone/laptop (or just got fed-up with them), and we just decided to go a week or so without. Sadly enough, if we went for a day without access to either, we would become anxious. Yet, within a few days, the need to get on the computer or call someone up for leisure lessens to the point of not even thinking about it. It becomes easier to "just say no." We might even be able to enjoy ourselves on a vacation without our "bff" (best friend forever, in text-speak) constantly texting us. Is this the solution? No. Unfortunately, with the possession of these devices comes a word that has been forced upon us: Responsibility.
That's right, responsibility. If anything, that's one of the main things that cell phones and laptops have given us. Having a shiny, new cell phone with everything short of the kitchen sink comes with the burden of having no excuse for not calling your grandma, not calling your friend back (or at least texting him/her why you couldn't), or not getting the memo via e-mail about the meeting at work an hour ago. Similarly, having a brand-new, top-of-the-line laptop disables you from not taking notes in class, not knowing what's going on in the world, and not completing your online homework or getting the message that there was homework. The world expects you to keep up and compete to advance, but the amount of responsibility per generation has been increasing at a dangerous rate. It's not uncommon now to see a six-year-old carrying around a cell phone or being given a laptop for a birthday, and these kids can't even grasp the basic concept of responsibility. Yet, they are already being chained by it at such an early age.
So, what would really happen if we took a relatively short break from the fast-paced world of the cell phone and computer to enjoy ourselves and temporarily free our minds of these responsibilities? As a consequence, this reprieve would come back and hit us ten-fold with a solid week's or month's worth of angry e-mails, text messages, missed calls, and voicemails from our friends, family, and employers asking us where we've been and why we've been neglecting our responsibilities. It would take us an exhausting amount of time to dig ourselves out, bottom up, and then tackle the present chaos! Nevertheless, there is no excuse (at least, not one that can satisfy an angry boss or girlfriend/boyfriend) for not keeping up with our battery-powered lives.
Whether purposely or not, the authors of Affluenza avoided including a solution for this problem. Is there really a way out of it? Not an easy one. There are only a few ways that, after much contemplation, come to mind as still-imperfect solutions. The idea of inventing some new device to handle all of our problems is laughable and completely counterproductive-we're trying to decrease our dependency on devices! However, the only two logical ways to decrease dependence on cell phones and laptops would make the average American laugh at their seemingly nonsensicality.
The first method to step to independence could involve getting rid of our cell phones and laptops entirely. This could only work on a small scale, and would only work if introduced to those that don't absolutely need them. Perhaps an age should be set for obtaining a cell phone or laptop, much like an age for becoming "legal." However, there are too many problems involved here-cell phones have become an ideal means of alerting others of events and emergencies. If there were a way to limit the kinds of calls made by America's youth, then this could indeed become a possible solution. It's understandable that there is a point where we really do rely on cell phones and computers to keep up in the business world, but setting an age or mandating other requirements to be met concerning involvement in business should not be a problem.
One other possible solution that would require much more time and effort would be to gradually slow the buzzing business world down. This would decrease the need for companies to be in contact with their employees so often, and men and women would have time to "smell the roses" once relieved of the constant obligation to check their e-mail and keep their phones on them at all times. Maybe we would connect with our societies more as a result of having more spare time. If we really wanted to connect with our friends and families afar, maybe we could get back into the habit of writing letters, a more personal, genuine way of communication. Either way, it is obvious that we need to rid America of its dependence on technology.
Published by Peter Robertson
Currently a graduate student in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Purdue University. I enjoy writing and sharing my opinion with others, as well as discussing many subjects. View profile
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Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic
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