Third Sunday in Greentime
The M-Syndrome (Part Two)
Last weekend, we asked the question if Western Civilization were operating with Collective Attention Deficit Disorder . CADD might be also symptomatic of a culture that is still male-dominated. Granted, more women are enrolled in higher education than man today. Granted as well, more women than men are enrolled in traditionally male programs such as medicine and law. Still, many women leaders (not all) frequently adopt male mores in achieving goals.
CADD might be symptomatic of a culture that is mass-market oriented. Because we are part of such a mass of humanity (over 300 million in the USA and even more in the European Community), we find that we tend to locate ourselves in an environment that is dominated by “group-think”. So much happens to so many that we need others to interpret it all for us. Others tell us what is important to us; in the process, they might tell us what is actually important to them. If their values and ideologies are askew, why does that leave the public, panting after the latest oracle?
CADD might be symptomatic of a culture that is dominated by “mass consciousness”. As Fr Thomas Merton remarked years ago, one cannot expect much original thought from mass consciousness. The burden of proof is on those who “think outside the box.”
CADD might be symptomatic of a culture that is strictly “middle class”, viz., those who have funds left over after they pay their bills. For years in society, the middle appeared to be growing. Now, people comment on the fact that the middle class is shrinking. Commentators have said that middle class thinking can lead people to a certain “numbness” for the needs of others. Once we allay our immediate fears for security, frequently, we settle into a state of stasis whence we do not always budge.
CADD might be symptomatic of a culture that is “manic” in its efforts to do as much as possible in as little time as possible. Commentators have described how people move 100 mph in many ways that time to decompress from the stress is not available.
Finally, CADD might be symptomatic of a culture that is “monadic” in the sense that one’s individual needs as well as one’s family’s needs are the only concern that occupy us. What will work for me? What will work for my family? Frequently, many do not move out of that orbit. Commentators have said that basically, 4 specific groups have fallen into this category. They include the following: the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, 4 nations that developed under the French Revolution. In these cultures, the value of individualism trumps over the group, whereas in older, more traditional cultures, the group has predominated over the individual. Traits of a monadic culture include such things as a sense of entitlement, a sense of rights with frequently a neglect of obligations. The idea of “my rights end where your rights begin” is not what the culture stresses. Monadic cultures also tend to be therapeutic in orientation. What can I do to make life better? Monadic cultures also tend to stress being a taker, rather than one’s role as a giver.
CADD might be symptomatic of a culture that is oriented to the “momentary”, without reference to implications for the future. Traditional cultures ask group questions such as “How will our actions today affect the landscape which we bequeath to our great grandchildren?” Instead, the question for many TODAY is “What is in it for us?” (to be continued) 012107AD jfq
