Investing in friendship
Taylor Gage
Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: Arts
Investments and savings. These two things are desired by Generation Y, but they are never convenient or fashionable enough to pursue.
As members of this generation, we honor the principles of indulgence and gratification, fulfilling our every desire upon its conception.
In a time when texting and instant messaging mediate our relationships, friendship often suffers from the same ill effects as our bank accounts do when we indulge our material desires. This technology allows us to manage our friends like we spend our money: whimsically, carelessly, and thoughtlessly.
These modes of communication give a superficiality and convenience to relationships, never allowing them to move beyond a pathetic "what up dude?" or "hey man." These platitudes are like candy too the soul: they won't nourish a relationship, but they will give you a momentary rush.
In "The Four Loves," C.S. Lewis describes true friendship as the activity of two souls looking towards the same truth. Such a relationship, he argues, requires more than mere acquaintance; it requires a common desire between two humans for an understanding of the order of things.
Perhaps Aristotle is right when he says that true friendship is rare; however, we at Hillsdale College have the unique opportunity to lay aside the Blackberry for a moment.
We have the opportunity to invest real time and effort into pursuing more than instantaneous gratification and superficial attachments..
As members of this generation, we honor the principles of indulgence and gratification, fulfilling our every desire upon its conception.
In a time when texting and instant messaging mediate our relationships, friendship often suffers from the same ill effects as our bank accounts do when we indulge our material desires. This technology allows us to manage our friends like we spend our money: whimsically, carelessly, and thoughtlessly.
These modes of communication give a superficiality and convenience to relationships, never allowing them to move beyond a pathetic "what up dude?" or "hey man." These platitudes are like candy too the soul: they won't nourish a relationship, but they will give you a momentary rush.
In "The Four Loves," C.S. Lewis describes true friendship as the activity of two souls looking towards the same truth. Such a relationship, he argues, requires more than mere acquaintance; it requires a common desire between two humans for an understanding of the order of things.
Perhaps Aristotle is right when he says that true friendship is rare; however, we at Hillsdale College have the unique opportunity to lay aside the Blackberry for a moment.
We have the opportunity to invest real time and effort into pursuing more than instantaneous gratification and superficial attachments..
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jody
posted 9/20/09 @ 12:26 AM EST
Taylor - thank you. I hope more and more Hillsdale students (and persons in general) make the effort to work hard at real friendships. It is difficult to cultivate a garden. (Continued…)
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