A Culture of the Uncultured

Our admitted sensitivity to living a positive life notwithstanding, we will confidently compare our objectivity with anyone's. But the stimuli we've endured just this week is irrefutable proof that we're wallowing, as a collective culture, in some seriously deep mire. 

1. We held a door for a young lady walking out of a bank when we could have walked in before she left. And we received ZERO acknowledgment. No "Thank You," not even the perfectly acceptable New York "Glance of Gratitude." Nothing.

2. We quite diligently pursued our thrice-weekly exercise routine, and while on the good old elliptical machine, we observed this: a crumpled newspaper had been thrown on the floor between machines; a magazine (someone still reads a magazine??!!) thrown randomly on the other side of the machine; no wipes had been placed in the dispenser, so we needed to track down some papers towels in the far-off locker room to wipe down the machine when we finished; barbells, mats, exercise balls and benches were strewn all over the room, never having been put back into their racks, designated areas, etc.; and while watching a monitor during exercise, we observed Prince Charles and Camilla's car attacked by British students trying to win friends and influence people in their tuition battle.

3. We held another door, undaunted, for a "gentleman" as we exited and he entered Staples. Nothing.

4. We read an excellent Wall Street Journal piece entitled "Why Narcissism Defines Our Time." It tells us that four million American adults list fame as their number-one life goal and 2% of individuals are “consumed” by their desire to be a star. In a 2007 survey, the Pew Research Center found that 51% of 18-to-25-year-olds said their first or second goal in life was to "become famous." Incredible.

5. We overhear a young lady in cell-screaming mode saying " . . .  I was just sort of, like, umm . . . " before the door slams and she mercifully leaves the coffee shop.

6. We've been plowed into—full-on, shoulder-to-shoulder hits the NFL showcases weekly—by men AND women, both in the subway and on the street (yes, we're quite aware this is New York City, thank you). And we have gotten exactly the same feedback from those people. Nothing.

Then we read this quote this morning from a VERY high profile "student"-athlete at one of America's finest universities: "I am a person that has did nothing wrong . . . ". 

We went on to read a The New York Times editorial on the United States Senate blocking consideration of help for tens of thousands of emergency workers and volunteers who became ill from the ground zero cleanup after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Notice they blocked "consideration" of the bill; they won't even consider voting on it. That is almost beyond comprehension. The Times rightfully calls it "callous," "harrowing," and states yesterday's Republican-driven votes resulted in "one of the most shameful days in the modern history of the Senate."

Whew.

Feeling a bit challenged, all you positive thinkers? Well, we here at Positively Writing certainly understand if you are. But inevitably, after observing and enduring another week of self-centered behavior and scary syntax, we feel good about ourselves. If we continue to act as we always do, with consideration for others and general thoughtfulness, we'll be rewarded. Not with fame or money, but with the consideration and respect that will surely come our way. And that's plenty for us, thank you very much.

When someone simply does "the right thing," they stand out as the exception, don't you think? In reality they should be the rule. How did things get flipped on their heads? 

We've had two recent instances when blatant lies—about our own behavior—were thrown in our face as if we were not even in the room. What is happening to our culture when people think nothing of telling another person "no, you did not just do that"? 

I guess we could always say "I has did nothing wrong . . . " But that is a bit cynical, so apologies for that. (Look we just apologized without prompting!) Despite it all, we do hold out some hope that attitudes improve as our economy does likewise, and that people look less in the mirror and more toward the horizon. 

Yes, let's absolutely live in the moment and bring the energy to make every day exceptional. But let's maintain some perspective on where we're all going, and remember we're sailing there in one big boat. If you rock it too much, we'll all go overboard. We're here to help you maintain the balance you need. Are you willing to offer that, as well?