The Golden Age of Schizophrenia

The chances are slim that a schizophrenic would be reading these words. On second thought, maybe not. Nevertheless, today’s schizophrenics find themselves in a much more accepting world than ever before. When I was a kid, my folks warned me about people that talked to themselves. This behavior was a warning and any smart kid was well advised to cross the street or use any other avenue of escape so as to avoid drawing nearer to anyone exhibiting what was then though of as aberrant behavior. And, being a smart kid, I was ready for such an occurrence. I can’t tell you for certain that the opportunity to put my preparation into practice ever presented itself, but I was ready, by god, and I’m sure that many others employed such escapes. After all, schizophrenia and other related mental illnesses are nothing new.

What is so different about today’s world? Technology. Cell phones and bluetooth are now the norm and this combination has created a society where people are seemingly talking to themselves nearly nonstop. On the streets, in cars, while shopping: it’s hard to find a venue where someone isn’t using a small, hidden device to tele-communicate via another small hidden device. And, since the devices are somewhat hidden, the observer is hard pressed to differentiate between now-normal behavior and psychoses. (Yes, I know that the line is blurring in more ways than this singular one.)

Regardless, schizophrenics and others suffering from paranoia can now talk to the voices in their heads and blend in perfectly with their fellow pedestrians, diners, shoppers, or what-have-you. Hence, their Golden Age. No more ostricization or avoidance. Rather, a look of awe and curiosity as one tries to figure out just where the headset and cell phone are located. Even Tourette Syndrome sufferers can feel more comfortable in social situations. The only line any of these folks needs in their repertoire is, “I’ve gotta go...I’ll get back to you” and they’re set. At the first sideways glance or suspicious look they need only to say it loud and clear. Now all seems normal. “Hey, it’s just a new cell phone gizmo. Nothing to worry about.”

Is mental illness something to be made light of? Not necessarily, but these symptoms are common and have historically resulted in negative reactions. My point is more to the evolution of the rest of society: the “more normal”, if you will. That may be an overgenerous description, though. While those with mental disorders have little or nothing available to mitigate their behavior, the “more normals” can elect to have their private conversations privately rather than conducting them among others with little or no interest in being subjected to such boorish behavior. Who’s to say which is more aberrant?