Titillating Culture

                            

(JSCreationzs - freedigitalphotos.net)

A significant challenge related to pleasure is the reality that our culture is masterful at titillating us.  We are emotionally poked and prodded, like the doctor who knows just where to tap your knee to get your body to react.  And the result of this is that we are constantly looking for what's new or what's hot.

While it serves its purpose, Facebook is greatly based around this reality.  The more "friends" you have on Facebook, the more you can refresh you home page and see what's new in various people's lives.  Along those lines, even technology operates in the same way - as soon as the iPhone 4 came out, another one was in the works so that in a year (or often less) you can really be up to date.

This titillating leads us to a place where we feel as if we need a/many perpetual novelties.  What can impress us today, what can make us smile tomorrow?  While trying to be sensitive, it's worth noting that the nearly 50% divorce rate is certainly connected to the Enlightenment notion of personal happiness as the ultimate good, and thus once my spouse doesn't make me happy (or I don't care to invest to make him/her a life-long companion), I exit the marriage. 

How do we push-back against this titillating culture?  Here are three recommendations:
- eliminate television in your home
- force yourself to only use technology for certain hours of the day
- if you are married, work at being a better spouse.

- tC