One day during the summer of 2007. I couldn't stand it at my apartment, kids were outside screaming like wild monsters. So I went over to my friends house down the street. Another friend showed up, and we noticed that the guy who I was visiting was deep in thought. He was upset because someone recently had stolen from his apartment while he was in the bathroom. So it spawned a conversation.

My friend who had stuff stolen from him, was really upset. He said: if you don't have honor or integrity, you have nothing. I completely agreed with him on that. Our other friend spoke up and said something to the effect of: I am not so sure that people are evil, they just don't know any better. I had to disagree with him there, and told him as much.

The Baghavad Gita says that sensationalists, continuously seek to be thrilled or entertained. I think that is the problem with our modern day world in a nut shell. Good moral behavior (not to be confused with religious law) isn't emphasized so much anymore. The kama sutra says that moral discipline is the end result of a societies values. I have to agree with this. Society for the most part --speaking as an American, who only sees American culture-- is rampant with violence and destruction. When 9/11 happened, the first thing president Bush said go shopping, that was his way of telling the American people how to deal with the grief. Sad that sensationalism has taken over our standards. I digress, Sensationalists are continuously seeking pleasure for their satisfaction. They can't transcend, because they are only seeking immediate pleasure.

In early 1900's if you look at a Sears catalog from that time period. There are RV trailer/campers, that came not assembled. The average American for that time period, had the tools, and skills to build such an item. Now days, everything for the most part, comes pre-assembled. Yesterday my neighbor was setting up a pool, and couldn't even read the directions. Everyone now days wants answers delivered to them, rather than taking the time to find out for themselves. I feel strongly that it is the direct result of sensationalism. There are more reality television shows, and violent content shows, than educational knowledge programs. This is sad really, truly sad.

Recently I witnessed a news report on television, it stated that alzheimers is becoming an epidemic. They stated that it was probably due to people living longer, and not taking the time to keep their minds fresh by the means of learning new information. I think this is pretty close to accurate. My roomate who I respect and think is a decent guy for the most part. Doesn't even pick up a book, claiming it is to difficult. I see this often with people. It leads to dullards who can't engage others in a deep conversation about a plethora of topics. So when people talk about things that are deep, they can't add to the conversation. They lack the wisdom that is gained through reading and study.

A sensationalist will rarely raise the bar for themselves. They rely on others to entertain them. The friend who I mentioned was in a punk bar that is long gone now. Kurt Cobain and his psycho wife were there, she kept saying: Madison is so boring. Over and over again, my friend didn't know who she was and started waging his finger back and forth: no, no, no, it is you who are boring! It's true, she was so shallow that she wanted our city to entertain her.

So yeah my point to all of this is mixed: Our society had dropped it's standards tremendously, and I believe it is due to Sensationalism. The minimalist doesn't need to worry about much in life. That individual can find his own way, the sensationalist just hates everything, and takes from his world. Feeding on others, pretending to be an outstanding citizen, because he doesn't see the stains on his shirt. If he does notice the stain, rather than cleaning it.... he throws it away. Then runs to the store and purchases a new shirt.

References:

• Baghavad-Gita Defined
• Baghavad-Gita English Version
• Kama Sutra Defined
• Kama Sutra English Version