Unwanted Side Effects of Mobility (Mobility pt.2)

While living a life that values increasing mobility may seem as harmless as pursuing the “American Dream”, our highly mobilized culture comes with some unwanted side effects. One of the effects of mobility is the creation of distance. Essentially this means that as we become increasingly mobile and transient we lose out on connection with one another as well as with creation.

Think about the individual or family that rushes through a drive-thru to scarf down a combo meal on the way to the next sports/club event. Little attention is given to the food; where it came from, where it was harvested, who prepared it, as well as the working conditions of those who prepared it. Compare this to a family that operates at a slower pace, choosing to spend meals around a common table, perhaps even preparing food harvested locally. Is it possible that in our quest for a highly mobile lifestyle we lose out on deep human connections?

Further, the speed created though mobility desensitizes us to the world around us. While watching the TV or on the internet if a commercial, news clip, or pop-up occurs that informs me of a devastating event I have the ability to “click away” to the latest sports scores. Mobility affords me the luxury of constructing a world that keeps me comfortable, safe, and happy while being desensitized to the pain of others.

What is gained in a highly mobile lifestyle? What connections are lost?
How are we desensitized to the world around us by the pace at which we move?