Pervasive shamelessness in the modern society

Lack of shame has become a norm in modern society, where the emphasis on economic growth and technological advancement overshadows basic human values, leading to widespread unhappiness, hunger and poverty. Material developments can make people’s lives easy but cannot bring happiness, which needs social harmony.

The present educational system promotes rote learning for getting higher grades in exams while almost neglecting moral education. Scholars come out of schools with a cut throat competitive spirit devoid of human values like honesty and truth.

In politics, politicians exploit concepts like nationalism, patriotism and sovereignty to stick to their leadership positions. Political and religious persecutions drive away people to safer regions. Often politicians and business men collaborate to deceive people.

Socially, children witness unethical behaviours from all around- parents engaging in fraud to become rich; media sensationalism and professionals ( medical, legal and tax consultants) charging exorbitant fees. This pervasive shamelessness, rooted in societal constructs like materialism, religion, castes and the like hinders the progress of civilization to the better position. Being slaves to these social concepts themselves people are unable to revolt against malpractices indulged in by shameless politicians and religious bigots even though they are quite aware of it. Shamelessness will continue to plague society if people are not weaned away from the detrimental effects of these social constructs.

Interesting post, but it doesn't seem to finish. "Shamelessness will continue to plague society if people are not weaned away from the detrimental effects of these social constructs."

Weaned away to what?

"leading to widespread unhappiness, hunger and poverty."

Well lets eliminate the last two first. In nations like Australia, there isn't widespread hunger or poverty. While there is, and always has been, relative poverty, (ie some people are poorer than others) the facts show that the relatively poor today are 35% better off than the relative poor three decades ago. There was a time when being poor was about not being able to give your kids three meals a day. Now its about not being able to afford the latest Nike shoes for your kids.

As to unhappiness, well that's in the eye of the beholder. I strongly suspect that people today aren't anywhere near as unhappy as those who existed in the Great Depression, or the world wars, or, in Australia, the economic doldrums of the 1970s. Its unmeasurable but I don't buy that people today are unhappier than their parents or grandparents.

Which brings us to the shamelessness claim. Again its unmeasurable. But again I don't accept that we are any more shameless than yesteryear. Perhaps social media has made our inherent lack of shame over our actions more visible. But that doesn't show that it has increased or that, therefore, we need to rein it in.

"I strongly suspect that people today aren't anywhere near as unhappy as those who existed in the Great Depression, or the world wars..."
- Don't hold your breath mhaze, I think we might be about to cross the rubicon to the beginnings of WW3, and I hope I'm wrong.

The U.S. might be about to deploy ground troops to Iran, once that happens there will be no way to deescalate, and there's no telling where it will all go.

I don't know if what this blokes saying is credible, but it warrants concern, and it's the opposite of your 'Superabundance' hopes.

Jiang Xueqin: The Iran War: The Watershed Moment That Changed the Middle East Forever
http://www.youtube.com/live/0rIgZD-tk3s

Jeffrey Sachs: We Are Now in the Early Days of World War III
http://youtu.be/DeRETBWnNWA

mhaze,

"In nations like Australia, there isn't widespread hunger or poverty"

I think that is true, but its a growing problem. A group of us started an outreach one year ago this month, to serve a hot meal on a Wednesday night to those in need, thanks to a local centre that has a commercial kitchen and dining room, gave us free rent and free use of the facilities, and we received $5,000 thanks to a local politician and a sports club, the local community has been terrific with donations. It started off with about 15 to 20, now its 40 to 50 every week and growing. Our area of Brisbane is relatively affluent, but there are pockets of poverty. We are getting an increased number of younger families with children. Most people are embarrassed the first time, humiliated to think they need assistance in this way. We don't ask for names or anything else about a person, just "Welcome come on in", no one is refused.

The biggest problem I come across talking to younger people in need is rent, and rent increases, don't get many with a mortgage, most live week to week, plus the "unexpected' bills like school fees, car, credit card payments, etc, these things cause financial stress for many younger families. Get some older folk who own their own home, but they are a minority. Get a small number of homeless, but most have a roof over their head.

The other point is many people don't understand "poverty", they think of the classic down and out, homeless person with little material possessions. A person can have a lot of material things, and still be in need. Poverty is not always what people perceive it to be.

BTW, we have a young girl from Centrelink, who gives up 2 hours after work of her time each Wednesday to give a bit of help on whats available to people who need some advice. So, not all public servants are bad people!

mhaze,

Paul's example illustrates exactly why the "Nike shoes" framing misses the point. The working poor today aren't struggling over luxuries. They're being crushed by housing costs that have risen far faster than wages.

Rent stress among young families is a structural problem, not a perception problem. Saying the relatively poor are "35% better off" while housing costs have dramatically outpaced incomes isn't really a rebuttal. It's comparing the wrong things.

The goalposts have moved, and not in the direction you're suggesting.