America's Fast-Paced Culture: Americans live in a fast-paced society. We are use...

America's Fast-Paced Culture: Americans live in a fast-paced society. We are use...: Americans live in a fast-paced society. We are used to a 24/7 news cycle with news being updated instantly. Media conglomerates promote...

Americans live in a fast-paced society. We are used to a 24/7 news cycle with news being updated instantly. Media conglomerates promote “Web speed” for professionals and citizens alike. Internet surfers become impatient if websites take long to load. Millions and millions are participants in the minute to minute snapshots of life and topics on social media. Images move fast and change rapidly on a multiplicity of TV channels. Audiences are bombarded with sound bites that are entertaining to watch but do not tell the whole story. In the news, stories are presented like commercials in 15 or 30-second segments. Such fare is backed up with rapid weekly polling and telephone interviews to monitor the public sentiments.

Radio and TV call-in talk shows demand answers right away and give callers quick details about education, the economy, health, disasters and spirituality. Lots of information are received and sent by pictures via i-Phones. Americans have become used to cutting corners, taking short cuts, logging on, tuning in and dialing up for services. We live in an Age of Instant Gratification. Some people use the Grindr app on their i-Phone to find potential dates by pressing a few buttons.

Around the nation millions of viewers are streaming videos. DVDs come from Netflix that has more than 8-million mail subscribers. Many shoppers receive services the same day and there are self-check out lines in stores that keep customers alert and moving. Walmart has Walmart-To-Go, Amazon is known for its expedited shopping, while Americans are used to fast foods through drive thru-windows at McDonald's, Hardees and Wendy's.

Is there a quick-fix mediocrity?

Some critics say that quick fixes may result in nimble thinking. Some educators feel learning takes time and repetition by students to really get it. Americans appear presently convinced that “snail mail” is out when they can instantly email friends, co-workers, corporations and organizations. Many are able by paying a bit more to have overnight shipping for parcels.

America has become a society of texting and tweeting. Some social media accept no more than 140 characters per  tweet. What you have to say you have to say it fast and in a sound bite. Dating has become speed dating. No longer is it required to know a friend for awhile before making a decision to date. Gadgets and more gadgets have become the name of the game. It was actor, writer and director David Duchovny (b. 1960) that feels, “I'm kind of stupid when it comes to gadgets.” Was he saying that he has allowed gadgets to rule his life making it worse? Or, does he mean that he is stupid when it comes to knowing what gadgets can do for his life?

Does society's speed leave Americans with an emptiness?

Since everything is happening so fast, it leaves an onlooker to wonder what is really happening and registering. In trying to multitask in our modern culture, is there a possibility of forming a bad habit of dependence on gadgets that have sped things up? Does our impatience by demanding things now lead to health problems e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and weight gain, because of relying on fast food and cans of soda from a soda machine? Must we blame capitalism and consumerism for giving us what we want faster and faster? How is a person to view his reliance on cellphones and the Internet?

Do technological devices provide a false sense of security?

It was record producer, conductor and 27-time Grammy winner Qunicy Jones (b. 1933) that says the following about his gadgets, “I have all the tools and gadgets. I tell my son, who's a producer, 'You never work for the machine; the machine works for you.'” Is this the lesson that we must take away from inventions and developments that have sped up our lives today? Should it be said then, that Americans should pick and choose from those developments that work best for them? But are they not doing this?

How does a Christian feel about such developments?

To a Christian wisdom must be key in making decisions about his culture. Patience is a virtue, but society's growing impatience may be a bad thing if it is not checked. In spite of the rate of speed everywhere, a believer may be concerned that Americans are heading down the road of becoming a chaotic society. It must always be remembered that God is in control of all things. Why must a person sacrifice his life, while his body is deteriorating, suffering from mental health issues because of the demands placed on him by society's gadgets? This is when a believer has to live in the world and be not of this world.

A Christian must learn to cultivate patience – "the capacity to endure hardship, difficulty or inconvenience without complaint" and not impatience. Participating in daily devotion is essential. By reflecting and praying for wisdom will help a devout seeker of grace to embrace the gifts of the spirit. In dedication to the Lord, he will come to know peace, love, joy and fulfillment, even when it appears that his world is spinning out of control. Instant gratification will never be the answer to security in life or its problems. Life has to be lived and faced through perseverance in hurdling difficulties when they arise. A fast- paced American life is one of the tests of our modern age in which we live. This challenge ought to be met head on by making the wisest choices possible.