The Ultimate Conspiracy
By Mel Hathorn

We live in a world of instant gratification and soundbites. I would suggest to conspiracy theorists that our culture as defined and structured by the media is the most cunning and ingenious plot around. I would suggest that this conspiracy is designed to encourage our children to lose their power of focus and concentration by increasing instant gratification, and ten-second attention spans. Hollywood films and TV commercials flash a new scene every few seconds. A typical McDonalds commercial has no picture or scene that lasts longer than six seconds. First, a hamburger, than a smiling attendant, than a satisfied customer, and so on. Is it any wonder that our children are losing the ability to concentrate?

I would ask our conspiracy theorist how excellence or quality could survive in such a world. It took Handel twenty-four days of focused attention to write the Messiah; it took Michelangelo four months of staring at a block of marble before he envisioned The David. I do not know of any great work, be it art, literature or music that did not require intense focus and concentration. Yet the media force on our youth flashy productions that disempower their ability to think critically and analytically and to focus on a task.

I recently showed my class the greatly aclaimed film, Citizen Kane. For the most part, they were turned off by long dialogue, slow action, and the black and white picture. Most of them missed the meaning and intent of the production.

Our conspiracy theorist might wonder if our culture is being designed by corporate or other powers to produce mediocrity and unthinking consumerism. Is it being designed to reduce critical thinking? Is there some ultimate plot to create a “Brave New World?”

Makes you wonder.