Disinfectants present a beautiful irony. Decades of scientific research have gone into creating chemicals that can destroy all of the germs, bacteria, allergens and viruses that once plagued us. These chemicals have enabled us to sterilize our homes and offices to the point where we could perform open heart surgery on our counters and desks. As a result, our bodies are losing the ability to fight common diseases and infections and our allergies are more extreme and easily agitated. And while this ironic twist of sterility is documented in our kitchens and bathrooms, I believe it is also apparent (even more so) throughout the rest of our society.
Fear has driven us to sterilize all aspects of our lives. Social situations are now cleansed with "politically correct" wipes to the point where we no longer know how to relate. The standard of what is offensive has become so restrictive that it has become almost impossible to communicate. From kindergarten to the workplace, we are told not to display behavior that could be viewed as offensive, or let our own views make others uncomfortable. As a result, we have forgotten how to reach the true social understanding that comes on the other side of honest debate and argument. Society has us so disinfected in the name of tolerance that we are unable to truly accept or reject others for who they are. We are now unable to truly know each other.
Scientists are now discovering that children who are exposed to multiple environments as they grow (participating in sports, moving to different areas, even just playing outside) grow up to have much stronger immune systems than those who spend their early years safe inside air-conditioned buildings. The scientists theorize that (other variables aside) the active and exposed children's immune systems are able to develop antibodies and are actually "exercised" as they fight off infection and sickness existent in their various environments. For their sheltered counterparts, the opposite is true. Having never been exposed to immuno-adversity during their youth, their adult immune systems are easily overrun by infection and sickness.
The lesson is an obvious one. A sterilized society is a weak society.
As a nation, we claim to pride ourselves on our diversity, but true diversity is accompanied by occasional offense. The balance of civil rights and civil liberties requires constant debate. It is in and from that debate that its members learn to not only tolerate, but appreciate each others differences.
A politically correct society will fail, as its members attempt to quietly tolerate each others differences. A free society will thrive, as its members noisily explore their differences.
Tolerance is overrated. Stand for something and talk to someone who disagrees with you. You can't be afraid that they might change your mind.
I needed to hear this. Thanks. You should write a book. Great writings. Jessica H.
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