Our "me first" society

The "Donald" Society?

Having just returned from driving around town for the last few hours I have to say this is spot on.

Yes. La Hondan and those who offer kudos are right on target. But alas, we see the sorry and destructive evidence of the "me first" entitled mentality in far more arenas than on the road.

I'm not sure how we as a society can reverse this, but I believe that if we don't we will continue to lose those essential qualities -- prerequisites, really -- for a functional society. The selfish, me-first society is one headed for self-destruction.

not optimistic -

Exactly. The destructiveness of thius "me first" philosophy applies universally. It's not just bikers versus equestrians versus people driving cars. It applies to people on either side of all major political issues, to the rich and poor, to all political parties, to property owners and renters, to people who have lived here for years as well as newcomers, to people with children and those without... and lots of others.

It is incredibly destructive.

"the rich and poor"

welp.... the poor, the low income, the low wage earner, the service workers, have lost that MeFirst battle.

Look at that young punk raising the price of a generic 60 yesr old drug 5000%.

There are many roots to this problem but here, in my humble opinion, are some contributing factors: an overpopulated area where people see each other as obstacles rather than fellow humans; the digital era where people are so engrossed in their own customized digital world that they are no longer interested or in need of real-world community relationships; and the extinction of manners and courtesy which were the common currency of a society that embraces mutual respect.

Article is spot on

For what it's worth, the most relatable setting (besides driving) I see this behavior consistently is the grocery store. And it's not just the young punks, it's adults... the adults that I would stereotype as smart & successful. The grocery store is a shared resource, yet many of us don't treat it that way -- we selfishly compete for parking spots, cutoff pedestrians, block each other in aisles, jump queue during checkout, etc.

One unfortunate side effect of the successful genius -- which we have no shortage of in the area -- is the self-absorbed lack of situational awareness. I would challenge us all to increase our awareness -- our street smarts -- so that we can share our resources sustainably and effectively. For example, I love riding my bike, but I'm sure as hell not riding down Marsh Ave instead of the parallel neighborhood streets; Marsh Ave is too narrow for both bikes and cars... and since it's a shared resource, it's my responsibility to help manage.

I don't believe that many of us are malicious. I believe that we have a lot of self-absorbed people that often lack street smarts... social awareness. As much as some may not like it, we are infinitely connected. It's largely a zero-sum game.

"There is nobody in this country who got rich on their own. Nobody. You built a factory out there - good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory... Now look. You built a factory and it turned into something terrific or a great idea - God bless! Keep a hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along." -- Elizabeth Warren

People continue to live with the delusion that they're a unique individual, in control of their own lives, with the freedom to shape their own destiny. And it's that self-centered universe which becomes the core to their own/your own suffering.

Get out of the car, take your face out of the screen, stop watching TV, and take time to listen to the person next to you. Empathy is hard work and it can't be done collectively.

Take action.

1. Vote against the party that upp5orts the drug company punk who raised prices a gazillion percent.

2. Volunteer. At a food bank. Go coach some kids that aren't yours. Donate time, not just money.

Thank you "really?" for this tidbit of wisdom: "Get out of the car, take your face out of the screen, stop watching TV, and take time to listen to the person next to you. Empathy is hard work and it can't be done collectively" I would continue this with: Walk a bit in someone else's footsteps, gain understanding of the issues in life, and make small changes as needed by paying it forward. We are all stewards of our land.

It's a shame that some have chosen the opportunity to make highly biased political statements. If ever posts were contrary to the theme described in the original posting about our "me first" society. I suppose the irony of their posts were lost on them.

The other comments were quite insightful - thank you. Perhaps each of us can tone down the highly charged redirect and be just a bit more aware and respectful of our fellow man.

That applies to those who shamefully put tacks on our roadways as well as those who insist on denigrating people for having a different opinion.

Who typifies "Me First" more than Martin Shkreli? Seriously, raising the price of a pill 5,000% simply "because I can"?

It starts at the top and works it's way down. Call it Trickle Down, if you will....

But to play along, before youkonwwho blows a gasket: some are attributing this to Samuel Adams - “without civility, there can be no society”

It wasn't the 'beer guy', but a good sentiment to live and strive for, nonetheless.

@ POGO: Well said.

This area is now oversaturated with intensely competitive people, many of whom have achieved career success, great financial rewards, and material wealth as a result of that competition since childhood for better grades, better athletic performance, most highly acknowledged "extracurriculars" etc. ad infinitum. They've been rewarded along the way to adulthood with acceptance at the "best" schools, moved to the "best" communities, bought expensive houses, and drive very expensive cars & all who see them will note the material achievements which come with Success.

Newspapers & magazines regularly publish lists of the "Top 100. . . " (insert colleges, B schools, doctors, accountants, attorneys, etc.) These people have been praised since childhood for their "special" qualities at the cost of de-emphasizing civilities which allow an increasingly densely populated area to function harmoniously.

Please, stop telling your young kids how special they are, look around at the other people near you, say "please" & "thank you," perform small courtesies for strangers, make eye contact with clerks & servers, and don't take 2 spaces in the public lot for your car. Another person, perhaps less blessed with riches but older or less fit, could have used the 2nd one.

Connecticut university student arrested over mac and cheese...

Another "me first" perpetrator.

Web Link

the problem is for the past 20 years or so parents have been raising their kids and telling them their little darlings poop doesn't stink. All one has to do is watch these gen xers deal with those "beneath their station." It's disgusting. They treat people like crap.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but please and thank you are automatic with me. It doesn't seem to be common any more.

There are so many things above I agree with, but I think the root cause is deeper than the surface symptoms of our society's behavior like the preference of digital devices over human interaction, competition, sense of entitlement, social status and status symbols, etc. (which is really not exclusive to the X gen, Y gen, millenials, or any other generation). Doesn't it all come down to fear? On many levels, we fear others will take or make harder for us to get the things we need or think we need or want, and many of the things we want are wanted because we fear judgement by other people, so people compete against other people, sometimes viciously so, yet people need and want to be needed and accepted by people.

The "Me First" seems more to me like "Me Afraid" because when people tell themselves and/or act like their wants and needs are more important than other's, aren't they really just afraid of feeling like they have the same needs and vulnerabilities as everyone else?

I don't know who said this, but "I hope we all make it".

Not to be political, but history should teach us things. Fear tells some to build a wall to keep people out, and in East Germany in the 60's, fear said build a wall to keep people in. Fear is not and has never been a good mindset in which to decide upon anything.

This thread proves that there is no shortage of causes for this "me first" attitude.

The unwillingness of so many to provide ordinary courtesy and respect to others is an incredibly destructive force in today's society.

I thank La Hondan for making such an insightful comment that precipitated this discussion.

I am both flattered and humbled that my comment was used to start this very interesting thread. A worthwhile topic, indeed, to explore. I hope this discussion can lead to more neighborliness in our communities. We are so fortunate to live here and I'm glad to share this place with all of you.

Heck, we see this in every single announcement of a new restaurant. People saying, "I don't like this restaurant idea" BEFORE THE RESTAURANT IN QUESTION HAS OPENED ITS DOORS AND SEEN A SINGLE CUSTOMER.

It's all about ME, ME, ME. "If you are a new small business owner and you do not exactly address my needs, get out of town, you should not be here."

Go ahead, read the Town Square posts about new businesses.

Appalling.