Thought Theater

I've not yet commented on the Paris Hilton situation...but in light of her early release from jail...and her now being brought back to court to face the judge that sentenced her to jail...followed by her being sent back to jail...I felt it warranted a few words and a little tongue-in-cheek humor.

First, the serious part. In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy, I wrote about what I call our "Chain Letter Society"...the notion that we have become obsessed with the pursuit of fame, being number one, and winning at all costs. I've suggested that parents...in their wish to see their children succeed...may actually be handicapping the ability of a child to grow up and function as an adult in the real world.

Paris Hilton and other young role models demonstrate the concerns I've voiced. The mindset becomes such that they believe they are, in fact, entitled and beyond reproach. They have lived a life in which their parents have programmed them to believe they are destined for greatness and that desire is all that is required to attain the notoriety which they have been promised.

Unfortunately, when many of these young people are forced to encounter the world as it is...rather than as it has been described...they fail miserably. The expectations they bring to adulthood are virtually delusional...and they are not prepared to encounter life's travails. Worse yet, they believe that life will accommodate them in the same way they have been accommodated by their parents. This often leads them to disregard society's rules...assuming they apply to others but not to them.

The problem we face as more of these children enter the real world is that they are not only unprepared to be contributing citizens, they are unwilling to accept the consequences of their actions. What we can or will do to address this burgeoning problem remains to be seen. I can't say that I'm optimistic about the outcome.

Now the silly stuff. As I thought about the Paris Hilton fiasco, the Biblical Beatitudes came to mind...so I decided to offer my own satirical version which I'm calling, "The Big-Attitudes".