Lazy People

The greatest notable annoyance about our society today is the epidemic of laziness that has overcome the American people. It seems that all products, services, and pastimes are designed to aid this unfortunate predicament, worsening the cycle and fostering impatience and obesity.

Ever since the invention of cars, our motivation to simply walk places has been consistently declining. Nowadays, we take for granted our transportation by automobile, often times seeing no plausible way to arrive at a destination without the involvement of one. The idea of walking or bicycling to a given location seems daunting and strenuous to many. Furthermore, society caters to our reluctance to walk extended distances. Parking lots can be found today adjacent to all businesses, many featuring even closer spots rewarding people who promise not to stay long. Thus, shoppers will take advantage of these close spots, even if they anticipate staying for an extended time period, simply because they are lazy and the prospect of walking an extra hundred feet is an unbearable concept.

Moreover, as a society we have an acceptance for the pastime of laying around and doing nothing. Many refer to Saturdays or Sundays as their “lazy days”, opting to lay around in pajamas while eating various forms of junk, rather than venturing out and being a productive member of society. Additionally, we are taught early on as children that if you are tired, it is alright to spontaneously lie down during the day and sleep. This pastime is commonly referred to as “napping”, but in reality it is just deciding mid-day that life is too demanding and an unconscious break is necessary.

My argument against laziness in our society would not be complete without at least mentioning the detrimental effects the television has wreaked upon human activity. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that televised programming is beneficial in the way that it disperses information throughout our country and the world, but the prolonged activity of “vegging” out in front of a television watching pointless sitcoms or trashy reality TV only produces negative consequences. Instead of going outside and taking a walk or playing a game of catch, many families plant themselves in front of the screen. This practice is especially unfavorable because it teaches children that nightly inactivity is alright, a lesson that will most likely be passed down to their children as well.

Overall, I do not think that humans in general, or even Americans, contrary to popular belief, are destined to be lazy creatures. Our sluggish state spawns from cultural customs we become used to early on and then accept as normal. Though I admit that I occasionally am a participant in all the patterns I mentioned, I try to distance myself from their tempting grasp as much as possible. Essentially, that is all we can personally do in a society where the automobile, television, fast food, and ultimately laziness reign supreme.