The Psychotic Doctor

Play has always been a psychologically important variable in human development, but the emphasis upon play in society now seems to be growing to the point that reality is becoming lost. Video games, role playing, paint ball hunting, gaming in the work place, internet playing while at work, and numerous others. The impact of this game play process upon children and others is hotly discussed. Whatever your opinion, involving one's self in the fantasy of a game is becoming widespread.

[By the way, it is interesting that as our society becomes more involved in games and fantasy, we now have a plethora of "reality" programs on TV!. But give me a break! When was the last time your reality included anything that is like what is on those programs???!!???]

Back to business. This is my list of problems caused.

1. People live too much in fantasy, attempting to avoid the reality of their life. (Sort of like getting drunk all the time. And we know the outcome of heavy drinking!)
2. Society fails to progress.
3. Hedonism and selfishness are at risk of becoming rampant, with the consequent decline in service or care about the welfare of others.
4. The society or culture ultimately ceases to exist. Ruin comes. The Dark Ages arrive again.

It is often suggested that a great society falls due to immorality, loss of economic power, political conflicts, slavery (whether forced or economic), or religious conflicts.

The above factors are contributory, for certain, but it is my opinion that a great society falls for one single reason: The loss of the willingness to stand-up for what is right...to die, if necessary, for one's convictions--societies convictions.

The contributing factors are many and obvious, but the ultimate factor in the downfall of a society or culture is at the moment when each citizen, as a group, fail to stand for their beliefs!

While the discussion of "where" our behavior came from is interesting, the important questions to me are: "What are we going to do with it?" "How are we going to act?" "What will we show the world?"You are what you are! How you came to be the way you are is not changable, but what you are going to do with what you are can be changed. I DO NOT CARE what the Fatalists say. Even the Determinist position does not enamore me, although it is better.