Thanks you innovators and decisions makers. You've officially dumbed down society!

Over the weekend I came across a statement which struck a chord with me. I was sitting in church on Sunday morning like any other when my pastor stated:

"It's not too hard. We live in a culture that says it's not easy enough."

Now before you go and close down this blog because you thought I was about to give you a religious commentary on this statement, I want it known that that's not the direction I want to take this comment today. As relevant as the statement is from a Christian point of view, it's also extremely relevant from any point of view.

We live in a society these days that is used to getting things done quickly and conveniently. Food is a big example. We can order Thai food and have it delivered to our door in under 45 mins. Heck, sometimes it's here in close to 30 mins!! We even have slow cooked favourites such as lamb shanks available in supermarkets, fully prepared with vegies. All that's needed is we stick it in the oven. It doesn't even take an hour. That's pretty damn easy!

There are other examples too. Some of them make our lives easier and, well quicker too. Stuff such as buying pre-paid bus tickets. Instead of watching someone fiddle around for a minute looking for loose change, they can hop right on the bus and dip their ticket in. In the time you get one unorganized customer fiddling for change, you can get 6-7 people on, all using their ticket. It's brilliant and makes for a quicker trip. Convenience is important in today's society. You see it everywhere. It's so common that often we don't realize the services we use or purchase are in fact provided to ensure convenience.

Back to the original statement though:

"It's not too hard. We live in a culture that says it's not easy enough"

What I've noticed, and i'm sure all of you have too, is that the cost of convenience and living in a society where things are done to make things easier is that society now says that it IS too hard. People now can't be arsed lining up in a queue. They will push in or ask you to quickly provide them with something. They usually justify it by saying "It will only take a few seconds". When their request isn't met, most actually give up and walk away. Yep, it's too hard apparently. We just expect something to be given to us and to have it done quickly.

This shouldn't be a surprise. This is the price we pay for spoon feeding society. We're now all so used to the probability of receiving something quickly or getting something done with ease. It's almost as if we've been dumbed down by the innovators and decision makers because they made it easier for us. I'm sure there's people out there who have never used a mixing bowl in their lives. I'm sure of it. As sad as it may seem.

Convenience is a great thing because it makes things easier for us but at what price?? I think I know the answer to this already. The trouble is, I think the issue will only get worse as things become easier in our "time is precious" lives.