Collective Desires
When I think about what American’s in today’s world collectively desire one of the things that comes to mind is instant gratification. Our generation has been surrounded by products and ideas that give us what we want instantly. Between instant messenger, cell phones, and facebook, you can pretty much contact anyone as soon as you have the desire to talk to them. Growing up in America today we have always been able to instantly satisfy our needs and because of this we become frustrated when we have to wait for something. I know many people (including myself) who become impatient if their friend doesn’t respond to their text message in a timely manner or when they don’t answer their phone. American’s today not only desire this instant gratification, but they have come to expect it.
The recent writer’s strike caused most primetime shows to stop being aired and many of my friends were upset that they couldn’t watch new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy or House. Again they became impatient because they were not given that instant gratification to see what would happen next on these television shows.
Television also offers us a chance to see live shows and events. This is another example of the desire for instant gratification. American’s would rather watch something live and happening that minute then on tape. A perfect example of this is how they will run the Olympics this summer. Since swimming has become a popular event in the Olympics the major television networks in the United States want to show the swimming finals live in America. Since the Olympics are being held in China the only way to do this is to have the swimmers swim finals in the morning so that it can be broadcast in the United States live in primetime. Even though the swimmers have been trained their whole lives to swim trials in the morning and finals in the evening they will have to change their schedule for the Olympics because the media finds it necessary to show American’s the final events live.
I am not saying that it is a bad thing that American’s today have a desire for instant gratification. In many ways this is a good thing because it motivates people to get things done and in a timely manner. This helps to make America the successful country it is today. However, we should be aware that we don’t need everything to happen for us right now at that minute. Learning patience would also help our country out in continuing to grow and be successful.
4 years ago • Notes