Three culprits.
Internet, living
longer, economic independence....
Plus loneliness.
There might be
some other things, but those three are the biggest contributors to a life of
misery suffocating people of all ages in rich countries. Why is this
terrifying? Because young people have been added to the equation.
Great literature
of the past has tales of such misery. Famous campaigner for children’s rights in the
19th century, British writer,
Charles Dickens who published at least 15 novels, short stories and other
journalistic sagas, wrote “Oliver Twist” – which is used to teach English
around the globe including East Africa. Listen to this quote from the classic novel:
“The boy was lying , fast asleep, on a
rude bed upon the floor; so pale with anxiety , and sadness, and the closeness
of his prison that he looked like death, not death as it shows in shroud and
coffin, but in the guise it wears when life has just departed...”
Young people
described in the 18 and 19-century world of Dickens novels and stories experienced
suffering, poverty and loneliness. Back then, life for kids was akin to poor
developing countries of the twenty first century. Young people not having
enough to eat. Young kids abandoned to live in streets because the parents died
of HIV, etc. Certainly. Wretchedness
caused by material deprivation.
However, what we want to highlight here now is
also distress and loneliness by people who have houses, families, education and
money. Well off but depressed, sad; still lonely.
Yes, I have seen a
lot since I started living overseas.
Even now; several years later.
I still feel bewildered when I hear of
individuals who have become very sick after the death of their cat or dog. Such
folks do feel lonely because they have no one to talk to, no one to share their
meals and money. No one to share love.
Therefore, and
consequently, a domestic animal is considered the best option for love.
Sometimes families with many people will still keep an animal that eventually is
accepted as a blood relative. And offence shall be caused if you do not
acknowledge their presence.
So what causes
this substitute for human warmth?
I always like to
recount a speech by the former Labour government Minister, Ms Claire Short. She
was addressing a dinner event of the UK Tanzania Business group in London in
2004. She had been Minister for International Co-operation and through her position;
she had travelled to Africa many times. She spoke highly of Mwalimu Nyerere and
the Tanzania model. Just like a few other cabinet members of the Labour party
during those days. As a young man, Tony
Blair’s colleague, Peter Mandelson for example had even worked as young socialist
volunteers in Tanzania. Mr Mandelson later admitted that it was an excellent
experience...
Ms Claire Short
branched out of the politics of government and shared her view of the character
of Africans. Normally most leaders just talk of African poverty. Ms Short
nonetheless, enriched her audience with the fact that she admired traditions of
Africans: dignity, discipline and respect for elders. This respect for older
people is still very strong in Africa; it has vanished in rich countries, she
insisted. Elders are not respected it is true. For example, you do not have the
equivalent of “Shikamoo” in most European languages.
Since people have
longer lives - reaching 80 to 90 years on average instead of 40 to 60 like in
poor countries- you find many Wazee trekking alone. As they go on, things get
very bleak when a spouse dies leaving the mate sad and lonely. The only way
forward is for these Wazee to be cared for by professionals- usually nurses or
part time carers. Some of them really abuse the elderly folks and the
mistreatment has become a big subject matter in recent times.
But it is the
growing depression and loneliness of young professionals and teenagers that is
even more mind wracking. One reason is the growth of the internet and social
media. Unlike those of us who grew up interacting through talking, dancing and
meeting up, young people use their gadgets to chat even find love.
As a result, most become detached from
reality. How can you be happy through showing your pictures on Facebook? Is
this real? What about if these Facebook pictures do not match your actual
reality? That you have no- one. The whole circus is superficial and some are
walking zombies with nothing but cigarettes, drugs, booze and computer gadgets.
Society has
changed so much. No wonder you see people in streets, not talking but busy into
their glass gadgets, texting, smiling to small screens, taking photos of
themselves (“Selfies”) and always, solo. Going home alone to TV screens and
more cyber interactions. A world of superficiality and technological clouds.
Sad.
Appeared in Citizen Tanzania 29 January 2016.
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