U.S. is an impatient nation, poll finds, CNN, AP
An AP poll has discovered what we all already know, that the U.S. is an impatient nation. Is this any surprise since the
U.S. is also the leading nation with recorded ADD cases. We want it now and anything that takes any extended amount of time we quickly loose interest in. When we can’t control the situation or don’t get instant gratification we become exasperated and then often angry. Look at the level of violent road rage cases that are recorded each year. Why? Because people are not able to get somewhere quickly enough.
Since the U.S. is also one of the most technical nations on earth it must be asked if modern technology has played a significant role in creating this level of impatience? I personally doubt that technology has a large part in this situation since those that are not as involved in technology also seem to be just as impatient.
And it seems people don’t mellow with age. The survey found older people to be more impatient then younger people.
Nor does getting away from the urban pressure cooker make much difference. People in the country and suburbs can bear a few more minutes in line before losing it then city inhabitants can, but that’s it.
In short, Americans want it all NOW. Or awfully close to now.
I don’t have an answer to this. I only know that it is a fact and probably consist of multiple causes. I also know that I’m on occasion impatient beyond reason. What type of pressures do we face in this age that has caused this? Any opinions?
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The answer that immediately comes to me is that we get so much we want, we think we can have everything we want. But I don’t know if that’s quite true. My parents certainly didn’t give me everything I wanted and I’ve lost a lot of things I wanted to keep.
I have found that when I fill myself up better with things I need–like writing and connecting online–I become more generally patient.
Could it be possible that we’re getting a lot of stuff but not what we really need? And that makes it impatient?
Oh, I don’t know… just rambling, I guess. Interesting questions, though.
Anne looking at your statements, if patience is related to fulfillment and the feeling of connection, is impatience related to being unfulfilled and disconnected.
This would certainly describe many areas of U.S. society today. Could be on to something there?