Acknowledging Harm for Convenience

Global communication comes at a cost to human survival. Radiation increases as we continue to push faster upload and download speeds for convenience and instant gratification. Users of cell phones can read the terms of use agreements and discover that the exposure from use may be harmful over prolonged usage. The warnings are acknowledged and quickly forgotten and ignored. But why?

 

Humanity does not need to look back too far into history to see a similar scenario. In the middle of the 18th century tobacco began advertising far and wide to consumers. Over the next 150 years they successfully convinced users of tobacco that it was a healthy choice. During the wars of the 20th century the military promoted cigarettes to reduce stress and promote social wellness.

 

Science caught up as research showed definitive information that it was harming more than helping. Clear evidence was rebuked as those who smoked continued to explain away how the science was flawed. The tobacco industry purposefully distorted and suppressed information while glamorizing the lifestyle in advertisements. The economic interest on the global economy kept governments from choosing to regulate. It took many decades to shift people to awareness of risks and change the societal perception.

 

Our society is in the same predicament now, but worse. Food selection is leading to mental health decline as more processed meals are prepared than natural whole food. We are becoming what we eat. We are increasing communications capabilities at the cost of our brainwaves and skin health. Our bodies are becoming part of the communications grid without our consent. Convenience and misdirection keep us looking away. At some point in time we need to acknowledge the harm from convenience we are bringing upon ourselves.