While perusing the news today, I stumbled across an interesting "Letter to the Editor" over at the Fredicksburg Free-Lance Star.
In some ways, Mr. Morrows' letter rings true. However, the folks that lined-up for a PS3 are a very, very small percentage of the population. Not every "20-something" person lined up. Not nearly. And, waiting in line for the PS3 doesn't necessarily mean that you don't contribute to society, go to church or volunteer your time. While there are some sweeping generalizations in the letter, I always appreciate something that forces me to think about my priorities.When I saw the people at Target who had camped out for days to get the new PlayStation 3, I thought, "Pathetic." When I saw on CNN that thousands of people across the country were camping out for a PS3, I thought, "Disgusting."
We live in a time when 1 percent of our population does 100 percent of the fighting and dying overseas. We live in a country where millions are without health care. Much of New Orleans remains in ruins. We have huge environmental issues that will affect the generation that is now coming of age.
Are my fellow teens and 20-somethings camping out in protest of these issues? Are we donating time to the betterment of mankind?
No. We are camping out in the cold and the rain for a video game console.
We seem more concerned about our iPods and video games than the future. Unless we start shaping our world now, we will spend our adult lives fixing "hand-me-down" problems.
My generation is being ignored because we don't seem to care. Next time, "camp out" for something meaningful. Do something in reality, not virtual reality. Write letters to elected officials and newspapers. Volunteer your time. Be heard.
Philip Morrow
