Away From the
Madding Crowd.
A time to glorify the homebody? The loner? The rugged individualist?
We know that this dreaded pandemic has been a great equalizer, in the political, social and economic realms. But beyond that what one could consider most impactful has that it has also been an equalizer in the area of priorities.
Pre-pandemic, it was easy to see that the inexorable path that civilized society generally had been taking had been skewed toward those pleasurable or entertaining activities which though quietly considered and accepted as non-essential humanity has devoted way too much time and effort, and resources. We mean those massive gatherings in the areas of sports and entertainment, and leisure travel.
Man has so focused on those first two areas on very grand scales and expense that practitioners actively participating in them have grown into almost like gods and goddesses in terms of following, influence, and yes, wealth. Look around you and you can tell easily who these people are. They are idolized, lionized and fabulously rewarded. Yet we know that honestly in terms of contributions to the welfare and well-being of humanity one could be hard pressed to justify their assumed importance. We do not doubt their human meaning in areas like culture and leisure, but one doubts to the degree and significance that they have been elevated. And leisure travel has become such big business enterprises accommodating large masses of clients, and patronized by a predominant segment of society with the resources and wherewithal to afford them.
Primarily because of the pandemic there has been unwelcomed reassessment of our priorities in life not only personally but also socially. Now we are constrained to limit our activities to those that are considered essential for our continued health and well-being. And professional sports, entertainment and other allied activities like leisure travel are not anymore considered as having serious priorities. Though nothing much in their very nature and activities have changed. Except that mass gathering of people has become a built-in restriction for most social gatherings. Thus by and large, many of them have been greatly curtailed. Some even stopped altogether. Some even said to be unfairly so, like the freedom to gather for worship.
So is man the better because of this development? By serious reckoning, one would think so, though one could easily take exception in the way the freedom of worship has been handled. But a good segment of society welcomes the respite from professional sports and entertainment, especially with the petulant and unpatriotic behavior of many of their players.
But this wholesale curtailment in some economic activities would necessitate realignment or refinement of other economic activities considered having more urgent and beneficial priorities. We would like to believe that if all essential economic activities are restarted, then the negative impacts of the lockdowns and the mental health issues of social isolation caused by these harsh restrictions could easily be ameliorated. Man will find a way to channel resources and efforts on more commendable activities that would redound to the benefit of society. Like more beneficial outdoor activities like farming, hiking, visiting parks, etc.
A return of traditional priorities to their rightful places!
