The Evils of Instant Gratification and its Triumph over the Virtue of Patience
Any millennial (a stupid word I unfortunately have to use to describe opaque generation borderlines) will tell you about the convenience, utility, and versatility of their technological devices. I am not an exception to this trend, yet I believe I am starting to see through the thin veil of false superiority that screen time offers us. Yet again, my comrades would be more than happy to utter the same - somewhat disingenuously with insincere modesty. Time and time again, we find ourselves engaging the heavier end of the spectrum in social discourse (in the very least, my friend group can sympathize and attest to this), delving into economic and political aspects of the current zeitgeist. Inevitably, the actual discourse reaches the point of exhaustion, and needless self-depreciation ensues. We take turns identifying our own vices, insecurities, and shortcomings, and tacitly approve of each other's nauseating behavior. We sheepishly propose different methods and actions that would enable us to improve, and potentially even rid ourselves of our deepest transgressions. Yet, one can see by the sheer frequency with which I have described the occurrence of said discussion, that no one really ever ventures a good old-fashioned try. No one ever broaches this part of the equation (or lack there-of); the willingness to acknowledge and introspect is enough, that is where the true magnanimity resides, we say. Nonsense in its purest form. Here is my inept attempt at making an analogy to a discipline in which I have never been too successful or intuitive (cue excessive self-deprecation). In order to render an additional equation, one must derive the sum, it is insufficient and pointless to keep reiterating the added numbers. However, unlike the somewhat instantaneous results of a simple math question, self-improvement and the resistance of immobility are not so swiftly performed. Not to produce adequate and honest changes, anyway. This task seems Herculean enough, but is even more daunting if one has never had to truly cultivate and nourish a real virtue - in this case, patience.
The desire for and provision of immediate satisfaction are rife in Western culture, and have given us a false depiction of the intensity of navigating reality. Instant gratification yields immediate solution and relief, meaning any problem or inconvenience that arises must be hastily discarded, or that any endeavor's abandonment is justified, should it not be soluble within a brief period of time. This belief extends to and poisons the workforce, where I have neglected or abandoned projects since the standard for commitment and effort won't fulminate results to goad my interest or time. This sheds light on another pertinent subject - love. Impatience speaks volumes about the nature of our romantic escapades (I am sorry to sully romance in that tone of voice) and their frivolities. Once again, this is something of which I am guilty, because I have also lost interest early if I do not attain what I want promptly. I have even relinquished relationships simply because I had achieved my insipid ambitions, and needed a new sense of excitement. Somewhat utilitarian and insensitive, one might be inclined to say. Ironically, every new opportunity transpired in almost exactly the same way. If I had surpassed my previously shameful record in relationship duration, I may have actually experienced novelty - depth is not experienced by repeated immersion in the shallow. A fact all too plain in the immaculate vision of hindsight. An example of wisdom via experience, if you buy into that sort of thing.
These examples elucidate one clear point - that by and large, patience is a rare and arcane commodity today. A moderation of entitlement and abjection is what is needed - simply put, a modest confidence. Although I cannot easily denote and proffer the instructions or recipe to recover this lost art, I am sure that more interfacing and human contact cannot hurt.
I solemnly vow to reduce the technological influence in my life, and enjoy unfettered humane investigations of the natural world - without the overwhelming burden of excessive and contemporaneous online stimuli. Perhaps in doing so, this primate may enhance his quality of life.
To the best status that a close relative of the chimpanzee can, of course.
Yours truly, another hypocrite
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