Short answer: we have become too spoiled and soft.
The Walking Dead is an extremely popular TV show about survivors of a Zombie Apocalypse, which has conditions similar to what you can expect after a major disaster like Yolanda. Don’t get me wrong, I am as hard core of an American as they come, I love my country and fellow patriots but over the years it seems in general we have lost a toughness that was much more common in the day around World War II, when our men were bleeding for freedom & our women were in factories making bombs. There was a gritty toughness, an unstoppable attitude that seems to have faded since then.
I do think there are a percentage today that would do well, true bad A–es that always seem to be around regardless but I wouldn’t expect it to exceed more than 5-10% of the general population. We have too many softies now who get all bent out of shape over something a stranger says about them on Facebook, or expresses their opinion and it just happens to conflict. It’s insane what people get upset about.
We have come to love comfort too much. We have become so dependent on technology to make our lives easier, that it has killed much of our mental toughness. Many want others to provide for them, without doing anything for themselves. It has become the expectation that someone else is to blame, and not ourselves for our own short comings. We have leaders who are masters of shifting the blame, explaining away bad behavior, straight up lying or even redefining the meaning of words to suit their own purposes. We spend far beyond our means, have saddled ourselves with debt, and seek temporary pleasure for long term misery. We even have laws now aimed squarely at those who have struggled to succeed, to make it easier for the weak to become weaker. It’s ridiculous.
So, yes, when I hear how some of my friends think it would be cool to live in a “walking dead” type scenario, I have to tell them they won’t stand much of a chance. Take away electricity and much of American youth would throw a tantrum, that’s before we get to taking away clean drinking water, food of abundance, cars and toys galore. Try wearing the same clothing for a week in 100 degree weather and then washing it by hand. I’m sorry…it’s not that fun. Add the constant stress of something trying to kill you, be it an aftershock, radiation fallout, rioters or whatever…ya…not going happen.
The surprising thing to me is that if the same situation hit the Philippines, I think they would be just fine, because they are used to living without these comforts. I see children playing with sticks, completely happy. The whole town of tacloban is without power (a month now) and it’s no big deal. I’m getting more used to it, but still feels like stress. Every night when I go to sleep, I’m literally dripping with sweat. It doesn’t seem to bother Filipinos at all, in fact they seem surprisingly happy. I guess what I am learning is that it isn’t “things” that make us happy, it is something much more simple. Perhaps it is “things” that inhibit whatever it is that makes Filipinos so happy.
Just my observation.
Had a pretty good day today. Delivered a small generator to a church shelter that desperately needed it to power their water filter.
My food is stuck in Ormoc, but should be here tomorrow. We will need at least a day to prep it, should see a distribution on Wednesday if everything goes smoothly.Delivered a small generator this morning to a church shelter in Bassey. They have a terrific water filter but it requires power and we couldn’t find any generators here so I had Andoi buy a couple in Cebu and bring them over. I think the plan is to offer free clean water not only to shelter but the rest of community.
I love and agree with your observation and you ate right, it is ridiculous…
BTW, sounds like your third eye has been awakened 🙂
Bless you Michael on your final days there!
thanks for helping my country Mike
I so hear you Michael . . . I’m struggling with the current attitudes around Christmas . . . it’s all so commercial and greedy . . . tugs at my heartstrings to see these people with so little – but with such huge smiles on their faces . . . we certainly do have a huge disconnect here in North America . . .
Your perceptions are right on Michael, especially about how Americans have been so programmed to be dependent, not only on technology, but to be consumers in order to be happy…only mostly that does not work or not for very long anyway. It’s like an addiction that has to keep being fed, buy more, have more, because the fundamental sense of connection both within oneself and with community is so lacking for us in many cases. We do tend to take so much for granted…a hot shower, clean water to drink, enough to eat, and having light at the flip of a switch. Thank you for the work you are doing and for speaking your truth.
We already are crumbling. I’ve written extensively about it. My latest articles are "Health I-Don’t-Care" and "I Can Now Die".
"It’s insane what people get upset about" sleep walkers is a better description and yet are they , sane or insaine ?? Has america become the dark lords of the planet ? sane or insaine ?
Your observations are very much on target. I would say that second to technology and comforts of living, a large part of USA’s population is dependent on their government. And it’s my opinion that’s how the government wants it to be. The more they give away the more votes they get. But that will only last so long before we are all in bondage to our own government. Stay safe and God bless for your great works!
What a blessing it has been to find your website today! This morning a friend of my daughters recommended your site as a great place to learn photography skills. I visited with that intention but was so happily surprised to see your work in the Philippines! My son just returned home in July from a mission in Cebu. He wanted desperately to go to the Philippines to help in the recovery and do exactly what you are doing but he does not have the financial means to do so nor the contacts to be able to do so. What a blessing though to have your website to give us a view of the good work that is being done there and to be kept informed about real behind the scenes story. Thank you for giving him a day to day connection to the people he loves so much.