Societal Immaturity

Each of us matures as we move through life. Some more than others and at varying chronological stages. It stands to reason, then, that our society matures, too. One look no further than our continued puritanical reaction to nudity. Europeans have matured well beyond the point where an exposed breast could turn heads, let alone stop traffic. Not so in the good old US of A. No siree, Bob.

It seems that we’ve become stalled in the early pubescent stage of maturity where everything titillates our imagination and creates a greater thirst for that which titillates. The latest example is that of Tiger Woods and his implied infidelity. Tiger has achieved great success in the golfing arena and, as a result, gained financial independence through his various affiliations with corporate concerns. That’s called making the best living possible. Something you and I and everyone else, from the top floor to the basement, hopes to accomplish.

The fact that Tiger has succeeded beyond most “normal” expectations in no way reduces his human foibles and, as a matter of fact, may exploit them as a feeling of invincibility pervades his everyday life. God knows we’ve seen other wealthy, influential men seemingly squander their public image through various trysts.

The perception of Tiger’s indiscretions is one thing, but the mob-like straining to see or read or hear the latest on his exploits is akin to teen-agers standing on tiptoes to get a better look through the neighbor’s bedroom window in the hopes of securing a glance at a wisp of lingerie. Aren’t there better things upon which to concentrate? (That’s a rhetorical question, you know.)

The economy. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Foreclosures. And on and on and on. Granted, dwelling on these burdens can wear one down (or out) and maybe Tiger’s personal life provides a respite from those more sobering issues. Except for the fact that reality television continues to burgeon with just about every other facet of voyeuristic media. No, we’re not taking a deep breath in preparation to return to the problem of the day. We’re looking for things that replace the need for serious thought; just like any other hormone driven adolescent.

Diversion is an important part of creativity and problem solving. Within reason, though. Now, one can consume an entire day with Google, YouTube, Dancing With the Stars, Survivor, Twitter, Facebook, and their ilk without spending one single moment thinking about the substantive issues lurking over the shoulder. This “disconnect” with true reality while wasting time in other realities leads to a society where a few folks decide for the majority with nary a second thought about public opinion. After all, the public no longer has an opinion, what with spending all day seeing if Tiger is going to make a statement.

I’m not suggesting that news tidbits concerning the latest celebrity indiscretion represent welcome relief from the daily grind. I am suggesting, though, that we need to lower its position on our list of priorities. Otherwise, we are left with the alternative of waking up one day and texting “WTF?”.