Modern day America embraces big business. We love our convenience foods and 24 hour stores. Even our television is geared to provide the answer to any question in an hour - or less. We are the ultimate sound-byte society.
In many ways, our minimalist approach to news and entertainment can be beneficial. Our ability to learn and retain what we have learned often peaks at the introduction of a new topic. We can capitalize on our natural curiousity; given subject matter which has been thoughtfully prepared and concisely delivered. Any of us can learn, virtually, anything. Certain radio and television shows inform, educate, and enlighten us; broadening our knowledge base and augmenting our understanding of myriad social, political, medical and other issues. Even when the purpose of a series, show, or commercial is simply entertainment; it is hard to place a value on the freedom to choose when, where and how we can enjoy ourselves. Entertainment is big business.
Getting the message across, immediately and effectively is now the purview of another big business. Their incredible success in both enthralling and educating Americans, one minute at a time, has created a unique and valuable niche - the self-diagnosed. Americans are rushing to medical professionals and pharmacies with new diseases and disabilities. Each is anxious to receive the latest and greatest medicine, diet aid, or instant-fix - as advertised. Our consumer society has been hijacked to a new purpose.
Many Americans pursue an instant fix for their symptoms; never pondering if their discomfort might be a manifestation of a deeper disease process. We are sated and feeling no pain, but is something festering just below the surface? Our need for instant gratification, be it food, pain relief, or entertainment, might be our demise.
We are a community scurrying toward redemption; found at the tip of a needle, in a pill, or a bottle. Advertising executives, teamed with big business interests have created a new class of pseudo-diseases; and a sure-fire consumer base. Symptoms are now defined as syndromes like "Erectile Dysfunction," "Overactive Bladder," "Anxiety Disorder," and "G.E.R.D.;" as-seen-on-t.v. is the latest craze, even in the doctor's office. We are faithful, even as the side-effects prove far more worrisome than the syndrome they purport to resolve; likely because there is a miracle solution for these, as well.
The miracle is not necessarily, as the majority believes, in resolution of their symptoms. The miracle is that, despite blatant disregard of Nature's warning shots over the bow, we are able to continue our existence. Our utter disregard for the wisdom of our own bodies and willingness to embrace commercially-driven sound-byte education is slowly killing us. Each day we mask our symptoms, we are allowing underlying disease processes to progress unabated.
When did America, consciously, decide advertisement constitutes education or medical care? It is time to relegate commercial messages to the realm of entertainment and elevate health-care beyond the sound-byte. If your physician doesn't have time to listen to your thoughtful concerns and would rather regurgitate the latest advertising hype then investigate the root of your discomfort; discard him (or her). Vote for health - with your feet as well as with your remote.