We’re less than a week into the New Year, and the salad eaters are already getting a little crabby, the non-smokers are downright belligerent and if Rashema, from accounting, tells you one more time why she’s not eating chocolate, you’re going to shove a Mars Bar™ up her nose. But not to worry! This happens every January when the “I’m-going-to-get-better” resolutions are still fresh. In a couple of weeks, things will settle down and get back to normal. Thank God!
However, in the interests of social progress, maybe it’s time our world made a few collective “I’m-going-to-get-better” resolutions. Just a couple of minor changes that would enhance our society and make the journey from the cradle to the grave a little better for all of us. Naturally, I have suggestions.
#1 — It’s time to limit the size of baby strollers. Yes, parents have to move their kids around somehow, but they don’t need a vehicle the size of a Smart Car. Some of those Infant Transportation Devices (ITDs) are big enough to have their own WiFi, for God’s sake!
#2 – And while we’re on the subject: let’s give some reasonable thought to carry-on luggage. It isn’t necessary to haul that much crap onto an airplane that’s only going to be in the air a couple of hours. And honestly, how much stuff do you actually need for a weekend in Vegas?
#3 — Let’s quit “checking our privilege” every five seconds. Folks! It’s still there.
#4 – And could we kindly remember that the collective wisdom of 50,000 years of science, mathematics, art and history isn’t merely a matter of opinion?
#5 – Perhaps we could overcome the burning need to constantly call each other with minute-by-minute updates on our global location. “I’m on the bus.” I’m around the corner.” “I’ll be there in 10.” If your friends are that worried you’re going to wander off like an absent-minded puppy, give the people around you a break and text them.
#6 – This is the year we should finally stop using the term “speaking out.” First of all, it’s redundant and secondly, there’s an implication that, at some point, the speaker was silenced. I can assure you: in our 24/7 Social Media universe, nobody is silent — unless they want to be.
#7 – Let’s not forget there’s a reason we have right and wrong. Again, it’s not merely a matter of opinion.
#8 – At some point, we need to realize that a 140-character tweet is not a well-thought-out discussion of anything – ever. Tweets don’t deserve that kind of respect.
#9 – The world would be a quieter, gentler place if everybody who has one would just shut up about their student loan.
#10 – We need to stop thinking people get extra points for being “authentic.” They don’t! It’s what people are supposed to be.
But the thing we all have to remember in 2019 – seriously — is:
#11 – It’s not about you!
WD Fyfe 