I am quite taken by the changes in my lifetime.  I guess it is a part of getting old.  Please don’t call me a cynic, but I really don’t think it is much better.  My current mindset is about the society, our culture, the world itself seems to be more and more demanding of the individual to become less and the grandiose total is becoming more and more.  This attitude of public perfection is the greatest goal for man, is just taking over.  If we think like everyone else it will eliminate all conflict, pain, and want.  If the common politically demanded correctness is achieved, we will all “get along”. Every decision, act, purchase, relationship, in this new group think environment must be evaluated by the current wind of public opinion or popular cause.

Our current culture has no regulation or mandates.  All there is are options, attractions, temptations, seductions.  Duty is seen as an option, not a requirement.  Why should someone have to stand when the national anthem is played?  Don’t we have free speech? Shouldn’t it be an option?

An American philosopher Richard Rorty characterized this new society as, “Maximum material property for all, combined with an anesthetized culture of self-created individuals.”  It is a sheltered and inoculated society walking a zombie walk without worry and angst once bitten by the next big thing.  Let the next film be all that is talked about.  Let the digital death at the hand of a binary sniper remove all the queasiness of accountability.  All the great new things solve little. This beautiful promised world with its own pitfalls and dangers constantly pitch new and fulfilling choices.  And these choices are nothing more than a distraction.

From the lyrics of a song by Steven Curtis Chapman

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still Oh restless heart of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change

Be still

Be still and know that He is God.

Comments are welcome.