By George Tristan | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
A fundamental hallmark of the saga of human history, has been and continues to be, invention. Take communications for example. Less than 200 years ago, we relied on the Pony Express to send and receive communications over long distances. Then, on May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse sent the famous message “What hath God wrought” from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland – marking the first long-distance telegraph transmission in the United States.
Advance the hourglass of time forward 180 years to 2024, to the first human trials of Neuralink’s brain computer devices, which will enable people with medical conditions such as paralysis, spinal cord injuries, or neurological disorders, to connect with devices using only their thoughts.
We’ve come a long way since Morse Code.
Today, we are unquestionably better connected than ever before, smart phones enable us to communicate with anyone, anywhere, and at any time of our choosing. Advancements in industrialization and technological innovation, by way of the pioneering spirit of human ingenuity, naturally foster the expectation of progress in the human condition.
Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, the very opposite is true.
To what measure do I make this assertion?
The parameter of which I propose that best characterizes the true essence of the quality of the human condition, where the pinnacle of meaningful fulfillment is attained – is in connection.
The current state of mental health in America is in sharp decline. Symptoms of the deterioration are many, examples include the high rate of divorce or not getting married at all – that together, contribute to an alarmingly low birth rate.
Obesity and poor health are epidemic. Suicide, which receives little public attention, is approaching the all-time high experienced during the Great Depression. There is addiction to chemicals and our increasing acceptance and legalization of drug use.
Add to that a growing homeless population and pervasive rise in violent crime. Then there’s the normalization of pornography and prostitution, which is now called “sex work.”
Other tangential ills include pervasive narcissism, materialism, bigotry, and the focus of my writing – polarizing political animus.
I suggest that if we thoughtfully examine current events, it isn’t much of a stretch to conclude that the human condition in America has never been worse.
We are disconnected, separated, and cut off from one another. We are the Divided States of America.
How did we get here?
For me the answer is simple, we’ve lost our spiritual connection.
We’ve become distanced or completely removed from faith and submission to the divine Creator. As a Christian, the course of my life is directed by the guidance provided by the Bible: to love one another, even my enemy.
Regrettably, we are seeing less love and more hate in today’s political discourse. Each day I dive into the pages of our local newspaper, reading political commentary and opinions teeming with corrosive vitriol submitted by residents of our community.
I too, may have been guilty of this, which in part motivates me to pen this opinion.
Our nation continues to move further away from the biblical principle of loving your neighbor as yourself.
The tenets of how to live a joyful and meaningful life, as spelled out by the truth of Scripture, is no longer our guide; we are creating our own truths and moving further and further away from empathy and lovingkindness.
The unhealthy hatred for President Trump by many who oppose everything MAGA (and the demented who wish for Trump’s death), has had the effect of shattering years-long relationships; many connections likely at one time genuinely meaningful.
We’ve allowed the angst of divisive political discourse to corrupt our hearts and minds with hatred, bitterness, and resentment towards some that we may have once loved.
I’ve experienced the separation and heartache of a broken relationship. You see, I had to traverse this chasm with my own daughter.
Our connection was severed during the 2023 Thanksgiving family dinner. It took nearly 6 months, and a lot of tough conversations, to find our way back to each other.
I had to remind myself more than once, that our relationship was far more important than any political policy.
It’s time to reconnect with those you’ve broken ties with. You’ll be healthier and happier if you do.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.