A generation ago, something "new" (an idea, a book) would run and run - its life span was comparatively long. Today, a video, a political moment or even a philosophy may last just a few weeks - or even a few days - often things come and go before we have had time to notice them! "Newness" has fundamentally changed our culture and perhaps not for the better.
The overall result is that there is an increasing desire (or even of panic) for something "new". Yesterday is ancient; tomorrow is almost here.. and this speeding up of the need for "newness" continues, and overtakes our ability to satisfy it. We run faster and faster after "new" only to remain in the same place (boredom?).
When that need, desire for "new" can't be met (which isn't surprising) the immediate thought is "that's the end of 'progress', the end of anything interesting." What we are really saying is "what's new now?" More and more often I see it is easier for marketers and others to give us rapid-fire stimulation - which makes them money, but what does it do for us? Very, very, little, in my opinion - which is to their advantage as all they have to do is to create another "new" for us to gorge on...
This sort of 'churn' is an opportunity, but surely the real opportunity is to create something for a longer time-scale - something that will not eat itself in the race to be ever-faster.
"Newness" needs to be concerned with making long-term and positive change by focusing on what is important rather than what's merely "new and shiny".
What IS important and always has been (and I hope always will be) is useful change.
Until next time (and doing what I can to be useful to the change process),
A good post, P.S. I can agree with your sentiment - we continue to run from "new" to "newer" to "newest" in the (often forlorn) hope of finding 'something' of value, when we should be considering the longer view. Certainly something to discuss in the class room - and even over a few beers!!
ReplyDeleteMark NZ
Delighted you enjoyed it, Mark. I imagine school children will have a lot to say on this topic - and not all will be in agreement!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you yet again! Newness just for the sake of being "new and shiny", as you put it, has become a way of life, whilst the important and the vital have been sadly abandoned on the way. In my opinion this is utterly futile and I believe people have to be shocked into awareness on these issues before it is too late.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Lucana
Thanks, Lucana. I agree with your sentiments; I would add one more point to what I wrote and that is that younger individuals (especially those at school) are seduced into wanting more "new and shiny" - and this is usually brought about by wanting to be seen as "modern"... what a sad world!!
ReplyDelete