Have an oyster, everything is fine

American society suffers from attention deficit disorder. We get bored easily. We want to move on to the next big thing before the old big thing is resolved. We like to interpret facts in a way that suits our beliefs and we generally don't dig too deeply when forming opinions about anything. If a Google search can't provide the answer, well, it's probably not worth pursuing.

Furthermore, if you believe that life on this planet is trending in a positive direction, then you're likely to believe that things like giant oil spills are nothing more than small speed bumps on the way to a better existence for all of mankind. Conversely, if you think that human beings will eventually do themselves in, there is plenty of evidence to back that opinion, too. Either opinion can be supported by data. Numbers, scientific polls, statistical trends can be interpreted however one sees fit.

It seems news consumers really don't want to dwell too long on any one major societal or environmental problem. It's like we have a collective overflow valve that shuts off and allows us to stick our heads in the sand whenever reality gets a tad too real or is contrary to our overall beliefs, causing us to kind of short circuit. Not dwelling on negative things could be a survival mechanism in human beings. It could also lead to our extinction. After all, we need to pay attention at times, even when it's not fun or doesn't suit our world view. Yes, worrying alone won't solve anything but nor will ignorance.

Yup, we either blow events out of proportion that have virtually no impact on society or the planet (see any Lindsay Lohan story) or embrace denial and/or unrealistic optimism when it comes to known, widespread problems like famine, genocide and unjust wars. A lot of innocent people and species perish because, well, we just didn't want to acknowledge our roles in their fate. Didn't want to accept any responsibility. Couldn't bother to watch 15 minutes of news a couple times a week in order to stay somewhat informed or vote once a year. It's easier to be entertained by things that don't really touch our lives, like Lohan's escapades. These distractions pull our collective attention away from the things that should matter more. They require no emotional or intellectual investment. Concern for oil-stained pelicans takes more humanity, the good kind, than obsessing about American Idol. It requires that we pay attention for more than 30 minutes and read something other than People.

So it is with the Gulf of Mexico and the BP oil spill disaster. As soon as the oil stopped flowing, it was like the spill never occurred in the eyes of many Americans, mostly those from outside the Gulf region, of course. Even while the oil was gushing, many people showed very little interest or concern. We are a society where if it doesn't happen in our backyard or impact our checking account, we're just not that interested. And if it drags on for too long we are certainly going to get bored and turn away. We are becoming a culture where sticking with something, seeing it through, just isn't fashionable.

Let's think positive thoughts about where all the missing oil went. Maybe an oil fairy flew down from the heavens and cleaned the sea. Heck, the president is telling people it's safe to eat seafood from the Gulf, even before the scientists have confirmed that. Do you think Mr. Obama will take responsibility for anyone who gets sick as a result of eating tainted fish now or five years from today? Why the rush to declare Gulf seafood as safe? Why rush, period? Everything except the things that are most important to our survival and evolution seem to take priority in our new, superficial culture. Stopping oil from gushing in the Gulf? No rush there. It took over three months to resolve. Getting people back to work? Nope. No urgency or sense of focus over that as bickering about nonsense now occupies most politicians' time. Yet, we keep electing childish leaders because voters aren't paying attention. We have a wealthy mayor in New York City who seemingly has forgotten about 9/11. That's another post for another day.

But there is good news. We can get a quick fix for our iPhone4's. We have EZ-Passes to get us through road tolls quickly. The prices on laptops are way down. There are energy drinks and blue pills that create all sorts of illusions to distract us from some core issues that deserve more attention. Unfortunately, none of those things will restore the Gulf of Mexico. That will take some awareness and a lengthy attention span that we no longer possess.

Meanwhile, impatient Chambers of Commerce are telling would-be tourists to come on down, the waters are fine, even as experts grapple with what impact the chemicals used to control the oil might have on the environment. Many objective scientists and scholars are saying it will be decades before it can be determined how the biggest oil spill in history has altered the Gulf. Yes, I said the biggest oil spill in history. You would think that alone would mean that folks would want to pay more a attention for a little bit longer. But no. It's on to the next big thing. The next special, self-serving interest.

Hey, the well is plugged. All is grand. While we're at it, why not call off the Congressional investigation and allow BP to get out of its agreement to pay $20 billion in claims to Gulf residents and businesses? Let's not fix anything or hold anyone accountable. Do you think the American public is really going to pay attention to a lengthy investigation of BP? Let's just get back to eating shrimp. Turn off CNN. Put down the newspaper. Those faraway wars will end, and even if they don't, who cares? Ninety percent of Americans are employed. Most people don't know a single soldier. That global warming thing is probably a silly hoax, too. So some ice melts and a few polar bears drown. Why all the worry? We'll probably have bigger waves to surf in the future. There's a positive to come out of global warming. No need to be grumpy. The economy will magically get better because...well, just because. Go on, have another Louisiana oyster.

Read another interesting opinion about where America is heading.