Are We Addicted to the World

I was watching Zeitgeist last night and they brought up the idea that we are addicted to our world, our conveniences. This really hit a chord with me. There was something about it that I couldn't deny.

First, let's look at our environment. Yes, it is in trouble. Everyone knows this and it is socially inept to deny it now. However, even with the state of our environment, are we really doing anything to improve it? Sure, we recycle and conserve water. But we are also changing to a "greener" society. The "greener" implication is that it is better for the environment, right? However, most "green" devices and vehicles are powered by lithium. Lithium in small amounts is very toxic to humans and the environment in general, so why are we putting it in cars and then driving them at high speeds.

When I first learned how to drive, after we kill all the dinosaurs and made America great, we were taught that in case of an accident to try to absorb the oil and gas (petrol for my British friends) and then wash the rest off. Now when it comes to Lithium powered car accidents, the scene turns into a hazmat scene. If you bought into these cars as I did and actually read the fine print then you know- Minor damage to the battery or overheating can result in an explosion. So we are choosing the more expensive choice, the more dangerous choice, and the more environmentally toxic choice so that we can wear a badge "I'm green". If we were addicted to this need to be seen as socially good, we wouldn't even think about it.

Let's look at our food choices. We all want to be healthy and live a long life, but is that really true? If we wanted to be healthy, why are we bombarded with choices that are not. Is the fast-food industry using mental magic and psychological mind games to influence our choices, or are we addicted to hurting ourselves? I like to think that we have the intimate say in what we choose, but I understand the power of suggestions and brain chemistry. The food choices that most people make are unhealthy and contribute a lot to the environmental problem. Does this self-destructive behavior sound like something a normal person would do? Or is the self-destructive behavior sound more like something an addict would do?

Finally, I'll hit you below the belt. Let's look at comfort zones. We know that people are destroying the environment. We know that air conditioning is bad. We know that driving is bad. We know that buying bottled drinks is bad. However, do we care? If I asked you one to one, you would probably answer that you care. Unfortunately, as a group, people don't care. In fact, they want more. Humans as a group are very destructive addicts. They want to destroy themselves and the world in the process.

I leave the question up to you, what can we do to change it?