The Matrix, 34th Street

I like to call this scene The Matrix, 34th Street (New York City). The dictionary defines matrix as “a substance, situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form, or is enclosed.” Is the environment or situation that encloses us, our matrix as it were, benefitting or harming us? Has our materialistic culture with its emphasis on selfish acquisition made us better people? A recent study at Michigan University shows that college students today show 40% less empathy vs. students in the 1980s and 1990s. Claire Raines, author of The Art Of Connecting says that empathy is declining in all generations and that people may be closing themselves off from others in response to the increase in the flow of information and bad news.

As we lose our desire and ability to empathize with people whose views we disagree with or don’t understand, we become more likely to use psychological or physical violence as our prime response when disputes arise. What effect will this have on our communities, and society as a whole? Should we just “go with the flow” or resist the corrosive influence of our selfish and increasingly violent “matrix?”