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?

The Mobility God (Mobility pt. 1)

Our Western culture prides itself in its capacity for movement and mobility. From the telling of our history, which includes the “discovery” of the West, to the speed at which we communicate with one another via social networking sites on the internet, our movement oriented culture thrives on conquest, achievement, and efficiency (just think about the names of the cars we produce in America: “Expedition”, “Explorer”, “Mustang”, “Voyager”).

The notion of “Upward Mobility” is hard-wired into us as individuals. Upward mobility suggests value in a movement towards something more; it fuels those who have “little” to achieve “more”, encouraging them on with progress, speed, and efficiency. An example of our desire for a life of upward mobility can be reflected when a young couple finds there first place to live.

Often a “starter home” (even this term suggests the need for progress towards something “better”) is smaller, modest. Possibly one’s first home, because of funds, is not purchased but rented; maybe even in an area of town that is viewed as less desirable because of crime, schools, etc. As the couple grows older, presumably makes more income, their ability to afford more by way of a house (as well as standard of living) increases. This causes them to leave their first home/apt and purchase something bigger and better (possibly leaving the area all together for a more “stable” community). The goal for the family is one of upward mobility (the hope that one day they will have the “house of their dreams”) and is made possible by an individual’s (or in this case, a couple’s) wealth, privilege, and power.

The philosophy of upward mobility also values speed and efficiency and can be seen in the way we communicate and process information. Telephones no longer exist to merely make connections from one household to another, instead each person has their own personal mobile phone that processes information (emails, web-surfing, news feeds, Facebook updates, etc) at lightning fast speed; yes, they still make phone calls as well. Further, the cost of the devices that make our fast exchange of information possible (iPhones, LCD TV’s, computers, etc) as well as the cost to manage/power our devices (mobile phone plans, internet plans, cable bills, etc) require a great deal of financial prosperity.

In short: our fascination with the mobile lifestyle is one that reflects a great deal of wealth, prosperity, and privilege.

Mobility as a value in our culture is not inherently bad, but I am wondering if there are any unwanted side effects of a mobile lifestyle.

Where else do you see our culture’s desire for “upward mobility”?
If a life of “upward mobility” is afforded by wealth, prosperity, and privilege what does this mean for the poor among us (are they able to live a life of “meaning”)?