You’re so right on all the myriad distractions that are dangled before our ADD-affected brains, AdLib. And I might add one more factor, since I see it first hand so often. Prescription anti-anxiety and/or anti-depression meds. (Obligatory disclaimer: of course, there is a legitimate use for these meds, and thank the Great Tweeter that they are available when they’re truly needed. However…) A drugged populace is a malleable populace. Powerful movements like the union movement and the civil rights movement came out of suffering. And that suffering was horrible suffering. But if we never allow ourselves to suffer–to feel the fear and anger that oppression causes–where’s the energy that drives resistance to that oppression?

You could hardly believe the numbers of people who are on these meds. I see it every day. The only thing that really riles them is the possibility of losing their supply of pills. That will get ‘em up and our of their recliners. Not much else, though.

I glanced at a couple of websites earlier today that dealt with the subject of how people are coping with this recession. Apparently many of them are rushing to their doctors and getting Xanax. There were many references to whole offices of folks awaiting news of potential lay-offs and popping anti-anxiety meds while they were in the process of finding out who was to get the pink slip and who wasn’t.

I have a feeling the not-so-lucky ones’ meds don’t get shelved during the job hunt, either.

Like pain, anxiety and anger have their legitimate uses. They’re indicators that something needs attention!!

So sorry for the soapbox rant. I realize I’m preachin’ to the choir here, but this worries me.

EDIT: On re-reading your comment, AdLib, I realized you did mention pharmaceuticals in your list of distractions. Hope you don’t mind my late night expansion on the topic, though!