Beyond Newtown - Our Greatest Challenges

[Commentary] We have a problem. More accurately, we have several problems that are the sum of a number of factors. Even the will to engage with these problems is suppressed by fear, denial, vested interest and more. As a society, we have become like a functioning addict who lives on a potent cocktail of social, behavioral, political and commercial factors that diminish us more each day.

We live in denial of the reality they collectively represent. To change our attitudes so we change our behaviors is a significant challenge. There will be conflict between those advocating change, those fearful of it, and those who profit from the status quo. And yet the status quo cannot be allowed to stand if we are to consider ourselves a civilized society. So what are the factors that underlie the attitudes and behaviors would need to be addressed? I would suggest the following:

• We live in a “violence culture”
• We live in a “sound-bite culture”
• We live in a “quick-fix culture”
• We live in a “them and us culture”
• We live in a “money culture”
• We live in a “no-blame culture”

[Bloxham is executive director, marketing for the Media Behavior Institute, the home of USA TouchPoints]