At the risk of sounding melodramatic, it should be pointed out that
the current state of affairs in the world as a whole has become a predicament
that can no longer be ignored. It is incumbent upon those who claim idealism
and revolution to be their intrinsic liberties to effect a change - to
break free from the shackles of oppression and ignorance. Obviously, this
reference is being made to not only areas of impoverishment but more specifically
to the antithesis of such notions - the United States of America and its
"noble" constituents. Occupants or "citizens" of such
states are abused and neglected on a daily basis without any knowledge
of this tragedy. People of "The West" are simply sedated and
force-fed a lifestyle of hedonism, indifference, and opportunism.
To prove the veracity of this idea one must simply look to mainstream
culture in general. Children of the West are afforded the luxuries of radio,
television, sports, and countless other distractions. Intrinsically, there
is little to criticize, but the overemphasis of such notions leads to an
obsession that is inherently detrimental to rational thought. Little do
members of society realize that these aforementioned "pleasures"
are, in essence, manacles of their own making. Luxury in general - not
to mention pop culture - is offered to the youth of a society in order
to distract them from the atrocious deeds of a government or society that
has sworn to protect their general welfare. Children - commonly seen as
a fresh and viable beginning - are now seen as uncaring, self-serving puppets
of a society that has taken a stranglehold on the once-popular and quickly-fading
notions of equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The youth of
America, encouraged by adults of the same schools of thought, are blinded
to the realities of society and are given sports, music, and other forms
of entertainment to stifle any residual resistance that may remain from
independent thought. Entertainment, when reduced to its simplest terms
and offered within reason, is neither life-threatening nor hostile. It
is a misuse of these fleeting pleasures that results in a crippled civilization.
Society gives children and young adults various forms of entertainment
(in the name of culture) in order to preserve the lifestyles of a select
few who control and manipulate the country based on their slightest whims.
The select few in question are namely those who control the wealth of
Western society. These "overlords" manipulate their subordinates
in such a way that a form of slavery manifests itself. Citizens are given
the luxuries of cell phones, elaborate homes, and aesthetically refined
automobiles. The "catch," however, is often undetected by the
seemingly mindless drones of this so-called modern society. People often
neglect to mention that their houses will not be paid for until the ripe
age of sixty-five; nor do they readily admit that payments on their lovely
vehicle have damned them to a life of endentured servitude. Man is confined
to the incessant circle of habit - earning enough money to make certain
payments and, in turn, to provide a better life for their children. The
children themselves are taught that these principles of economics are not
only acceptable but "the norm." Capitalism mutates into a freelance
laissez-faire philosophy, and other socioeconomic policies are cast aside
as being somehow inferior to that which has dominated mainstream society
since the inception of these particular dogmas. As a result, society is
polluted with a cycle of self-perpetuation that cannot be curtailed without
a series of drastic measures. The measures in question are so lofty and
idealistic that no one is willing to recognize even the problem itself.
In order to fill this void, citizens (including the youths) are offered
the aforementioned luxuries (among countless others) to appease a growing
sense of discomfort and disarray. Certainly, it is easier to turn up your
favorite song than to fight the woes of this world, but it is this indifference
and submissive nature that compounds itself per generation, and consequently,
circumstances worsen on a regimented scale. This scale is rapidly approaching
critical mass, and it is fitting, therefore, that something be done for
the sake of propriety.
Such problems, however, are not confined to Western schools of thought
- even though this particular geographic region has produced the most pristine
example of unchecked opportunism. Other countries are notorious for their
expansionism and subsequent "brainwashing" of those indigenous
to these areas. Situations vary depending upon the location in question,
but ultimately, this outlandish system of dictatorship establishes itself.
One can only marvel at the seemingly asinine dreams of other countries
to attain a status that the West has gained. Superficially, such a system
works surprisingly well, but "The Grand Experiment" (as it is
aptly named) is destined to fail due to not only the natural shortcomings
of man but to shades of a conspiracy concerning those who desire power
by any means necessary. It is almost amusing if one considers the ridiculous
attempts that man has made to govern himself since his beginning. One wonders
how much benefit can be derived from the so-called progress of generations.
For the time being, man remains content with what he has, and he currently
ignores the fact that his seemingly comfortable situation could change
at a moment's notice if the current progression of the previously mentioned
ideals continues at its horrid pace. Perhaps one should not even criticize
the government for what has taken place, as some may assume that present-day
officials are somehow detatched from the original intentions of decades
ago. It is interesting to note, however, that citizens are continually
bombarded with the same sedatives that were used to pacify a once-restless
community - perhaps to an even greater extent. Propaganda, militarism,
and nationalism remain the heralds of a flawed government, and unfortunately,
the situation worsens exponentially. Blame should not be a concern; rather
one should attempt to isolate the problem in order to exterminate it and
initiate a better standard of living for the common brotherhood. It is
my fear, however, that a mass audience will simply turn up their favorite
songs in order to drown out the irrevocable hum of a nondescript oppression
that has the potential of initiating worldwide ramifications.
J.
Adam Brockwell
|