Food. Water. Shelter. Air. Sleep. And Societal inflation has expanded need into greed. Suddenly the basic survival needs also include a cell phone, cable TV, and French manicured fingernails…. We’ve become the absolute biggest whiners of all human history with the absolute smallest justification for whining. – Charlie Diekatze
After thinking for a long time with so many crash-boom-bang, zip-zap, chop-chop, etc, finally dare we say that the present generation has completely transformed from the earlier generation. Transformed into what? Better or worse? Well, it’s kind of a hard question to answer.
First of all, what do you think about the quotation above? For us, the writers, it’s so criticizing. Better technology is a great development and it has helped us a lot, don’t you think? When most people use the same things, they possibly become our needs, right? Then why did Diekatze say that need has changed into greed?
The advanced developments in the field of science and technology have created kinds of sophisticated devices. It makes life easier for us. Because of the Internet, people can associate with other people virtually and also set up their fantastic world. When they are far apart, they are still able to communicate even to see others’ faces. As teachers-to be, we need to present a lesson as creatively as we can. Of course, the Internet gives us plenty of sources to browse various games and lesson plans. Nowadays, a new way of smoking is created. It is called e-cigarette which stands for electronic cigarette, and there are many other new invented things.
But wait! Do those things really mean something to us? Well, it seems that the quotation is now reasonable. What we have to do is to live, to survive. In order to survive, we must eat, drink, have shelter, breathe, and sleep. Maybe we should add one more to the list of basic needs, which is “working”, to materialize the five previously mentioned needs. Yet, without using the Internet, or cellular phone, or smoking, etc., we can still live.
It is absolutely true that the great progress in technology brings positive effects to the world. On the other hand, it delivers a negative side, too. The adolescents in this generation tend to desire anything instantly, as we are now more dependent on technology.
Now let the enhanced machinery and lifestyle be a bonus, a huge bonus for us. But the struggle and spirit that were built since a long time ago may not be buried as our ancestors were. They used to strive so hard to obtain their freedom. People at that time were under control and restricted to speak their aspirations. There were a lot of things that were banned for unreasonable purposes, like barongsai and liong acts.
We can’t just simply blame the condition and people around us, but let us think and realize that we are the hope for this universe. The earlier generation, of course, expected us to be better than them. It’s not only better in facilities and accommodations but also our thoughts, struggles, and efforts to recover our livelihood, just like Jacko’s song “Heal the World” proposes. Listen to the song and you’ll know that life is precious. Heal the world…Make it a better place… For you and for me and the entire human race…
Written by Kartika and Nissa
March 11, 2009
