October 7th, 2024

Canadians have become addicted to self-indulgence


By Lethbridge Herald on February 3, 2023.

Editor:

Once upon a time “information was power.” Generally, that information was used to increase knowledge and understanding of how things worked. 

Those with the greatest understanding of how things worked could use it to control the proletariat.

No longer! You don’t need to possess information at all. All you need now is the ability to distribute a story (any story) on a grand scale. 

What story? Lies to fantasy. . .virtually any narrative that appeals to a public addicted to self-indulgence! 

Make no mistake, Canadians are addicted to self indulgence. Self-indulgence is born of impulse. All of us have some kind of impulse we struggle to control. A focus exclusively upon meeting the needs of the present. And technology has created self-indulgence on steroids. Constant Facebook checks, Instagram alerts and Twitter pings that announce incoming messages. We, like Pavlov’s dogs, feel the urge to check even if we are engaged in something that requires our full attention. 

Any deprivation of a convenience is an assault on our rights. Our prime minister knows better than anyone how to use our addiction to wield power. Always speak promises to the present. Ignore fact, do as I say not as I do. And sell the story that pits one addict against another for the next fix. 

Promise immediate gratification, express sympathy and support, while holding up the spectre of the withdrawal pains of self denial. And never, ever  admit or address the the deterioration of body and soul when Canadians collectively look in the mirror.

To coin a phrase: Addicts who continue to elect their supplier will be well supplied.

Richard Dietrich

Medicine Hat

Share this story:

12
-11
3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
old school

Well said . Helps me understand why university didn’t want to hear Dr. Widdowson.Never imagined a university would be adverse to real truth, real facts, or open discussion on history.

biff

among the two most pressing issues of our day is our obsession with unlimited wants and how that undermines the health of our planet; the other is our failure to acknowledge that this is so.

Last edited 1 year ago by biff