As a physician, I regularly witness the less attractive features of human nature but it has been the explosion of cable channels and social networking that has fully exposed, if not celebrated, our obsession with power, sex, celebrity, death and various forms of human turmoil.
Though religious and political scandals, corporate greed, domestic violence and civil rights abuses have occurred throughout history, modern technology assures that we are constantly exposed to these dark human traits. While it is important to stay informed about the ills of society and while the exposure of such activity is essential to its eradication, a wide variety of cable channels feed on dysfunctional human behavior, turning human tragedy into a lucrative form of entertainment.
Even more disturbing, the rise of social networking, encouraged throughout society, feeds this exhibitionism, offering immediate fame to those who take advantage of our dark obsessions. As individuals, we have little control over this cultural trend but, alarmed by its effects, one can certainly choose not to participate in the feeding frenzy.
