Change

What is change? Lisa Ower has a great article in Forbes on change. If you want a different perspective on change then read Lisa Ower's article. Click HERE to read the article. There is a lot in that article that will make you think.

In the last ten years, I have seen so much change that I have changed because of the amount of change I have seen. I have seen change in computers, phones, television, movies, athletics and education, but the change I have seen in culture is most disturbing.

Culture has lost something in all that has changed in culture. There is something missing. What I see in culture is a hyper-intense focus on self, manifesting as individualism masquerading as happiness and contentment. If you doubt me just sit down and watch a few commercials. You will pick up on the theme of self pretty quickly. So, here is the problem as I see it... culture is about difference. Difference unites through a commonality, and yet, a culture that is only focused on individualism does not develop a commonality that unites difference.

This focus on individualism is a polarized focus on self, which has a very bleak future. We already see evidence of this in our current culture. If you doubt me, then, answer this question. Name one thing, anything, that unites different people. Name something everyone will agree on. I can't think of anything anymore. Ten years ago I would have said patriotism, but even that will no longer work. Commonality is the blood of culture, especially a culture like ours.

Cultures are melting pots of difference, but if nothing unites difference then, the difference wins. The problem is that there is a lot of difference so which difference wins. Just look at our political system. Yes, there are technically two parties, but are there? I would suggest that there are more than two parties inside the two parties. There are moderates, hyper-liberals, socialists, ultra-conservatives and many more. In the past, some of these would not be acceptable, but now we hear that all ideas are welcome. But, are they?

Whether you are talking culture or a road, each requires guidelines. Everything cannot be acceptable. Guard rails and speed limits are the commonalities for most roads. They keep all the differences safe and secure. Culture is, in some ways, the same as a road. So, what are the commonalities in current culture? What are those things that keep all the difference safe and secure? I am struggling to come up with anything... what about you? I would love to know your thoughts! Hit the comment section. Thanks!