Another ‘Two Bits Worth’

Congratulations to writer Shirley O'Kealey (Dec. 2010) on her article, "Planned Obsolescence or Timed Self-Destruct." She has nicely capsulized sentiments expressed by the well-known author, Vance Packard, in his series of paperbacks on exactly the same theme. These, for those concerned with the damaging human effects on our society, are: The Hidden Persuader (1957); The Status Seekers (1959); The Waste Makers (1960); The Pyramid Climbers (1962); and The Naked Society (1964). In order, these publications focus respectively on: advertising, consumers, manufacturers, corporations, and "a terrifying exposé of the growing problem of professional snoopers and the invasion of the privacy of the individual."

Simply, it seems the cause, today, of massive personal indebtedness, family breakdown, and societal dissatisfaction and unrest, can also be capsulized as "too much, too easily, for too long - compounded by too easily available consumer credit." The whole situation encouraged by "rights," privileges, prerogatives and entitlements galore, enforceable by law. The necessary, complementing obligations and responsibilities, many times neither acknowledged nor pursued.

Sadly, as a senior with much societal experience in this evermore confusing and self-destructing civilization (?), I am reminded of the lemming in its ultimate demise. Does no one care? Can intelligent people not see the very real catastrophe, forewarned by the advancing blackening horizon?

Stephen Lamb