The Paradox of Our Times
by Jeff Dickson
The paradox of our times ∈ history is that
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less;
We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families;
More conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly;
Laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly,
Stay up too late, get too tired,
Read too seldom, watch TV too much,
And pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back,
But have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We’ve conquered outer , but not inner ;
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;
We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
We’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are the times of tall men, and short character;
Steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
More leisure, but less fun;
More kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce;
Of fancier houses, but broken homes.
It is a time when there is much ∈ the show window
And nothing ∈ the stockroom;
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
And a time when you can choose either to make a difference
Or just hit delete.
(www.motivateus.com/stories/paradox.htm - July 2012.)
Which of the alternatives below can be considered one of the main ideas of Jeff Dickson’s poem?
