Despite the fact that the situation in Iraq is slowly and steadily heating up, Americans are tuning out. How many times have you heard the phrase “weapons of mass destruction” on TV today? We’re going on eight.
The conflict with Iraq shows no sign of slowing down. Actually, it appears we are moving closer and closer to war every day. The situation is as tense as it’s been in the past year, so why are we, and many of our fellow Americans, finding ourselves changing the channel as soon as a picture of Colin Powell appears on the screen?
The fact of the matter is, America, as a culture, has the attention span of a fly. In this age of microwaves, cellphones, drive-through dinners, and anything convenient, our endless pursuit of immediate gratification and super-convenience has left us a culture afflicted with ADD.
While the debate over Iraq builds steam, we are tuning out because that’s all it is; a debate. Debate is a fancy word for talking, and men in suits sitting around and talking makes for pretty shabby television, even if the subject of debate is the future of the world.
We need twists and surprises to keep our interest. The conflict with Iraq has been going on too long with too little action to possibly compete with American Idol in the American market. We love reality TV, but unless either bullets start flying, or someone gets voted off an island, our dwindling interest is not likely to pick up.
Nearly everyone has an opinion about Iraq, and the huge division in schools of thought has made this issue a frustrating one. For those on both sides of the issue, progress seems slow.
It seems as if everyone has chosen sides, and minds aren’t likely to change without a major development. We’re like a bunch of grumpy old men arguing, yelling the same things louder and louder, getting all worked up, but making absolutely no progress in the process.
The frustration created by this issue, along with the simple fact that current developments lack entertainment value is causing apathy. Joe Millionaire has filled the void in our attention span left by Iraq, and individually, we are all each increasingly at risk of just not caring any more.
Apathy is dangerous. It is vital to the survival of freedom, in this nation and others, that Americans stay involved in our government and it’s actions. It has been said that all that is necessary for evil to prevail, is for good people to do nothing.
We’re not saying you should watch all 17 hours of coverage your bombarded with today. Lord knows we won’t. We’re just saying to stay informed, stay opinionated, and above all, keep thinking.
