My New Theory

I live in a large metropolitan area. That means that I encounter crowds most places I go. Most anyone can tell you that there is a dearth of common courtesy out there, worse than it has been in the past. There is a civility shortage and people are on hair triggers emotionally. (The mere word, "triggered," upsets some people.) And there is a surge of the "me first" mentality. "Of course I can take this spot between these two cars traveling down the highway at 70MPH. I'm the important one here." "No one will complain if I leave my shopping cart to block the aisle while I chat with someone. I'm the important one here." It's there, and it's getting worse. I came up with a new theory.

Since the advent of the internet, there has been a surge of bullying and a decline of civility. Those both existed prior, but the internet has really made them a growth market. Why is that? Simply put, anonymity. People on the internet are anonymous. You don't know who they are, so they feel like they can set aside any façade of kindness and let people have it ... with both barrels. Look at comment feeds or Facebook or Twitter and watch the venom drip. Why? Because you don't know who I am, so I can say what I want without consequences.

I believe that same principle is at work in the busy cities, the busy highways, the busy stores all around us. The quaint notion of "community" and "neighbors" has been edged out by big city anonymity. Most people hardly know their own neighbors. And the more affluent they are, the worse it gets. I remember back in the 90's there was a blackout for the entire bottom half of California. It was summer and it was miserable. My wife and I drove into our neighborhood and were surprised at all the people outside talking, chatting, sharing something cold to drink or the like. No one ever came out in our neighborhood before. And I realized what had happened to those charming times when neighbors knew neighbors -- air conditioning. Sure, that's an oversimplification, but back when our homes weren't completely and totally self-contained, we needed our neighbors. We had porches to sit on and talk to passers-by. We'd share meals and know that Mrs. Jones had had a baby and we'd bring food. No longer. We've got it covered. It's all right there in our homes -- all the creature-comforts you could want. Who needs neighbors? And we're now anonymous.

God made us for "one anothers." Love one another. Bear one anothers burdens. Forgive one another. Be kind to one another. On and on. But we, in our "new and improved" modern era, have determined that "one another" need only be found on Facebook and email. Now we can minimize the contact, minimize the connection, and do whatever we please ... anonymously. Who did I just cut off on the freeway? Who knows? Who cares? But beyond the obvious dangers, it is fatal to society when the anonymous outnumber those who care. So you and I need to make an effort to be the exception. We need to do our good works in such a way that those who see them will glory the Father. You can quote me on that if you want.