Anesthetized

Neil Postman once said that Americans are amusing themselves to death. I would agree. As I travel from coast to coast, I find a tv on in most homes. Its constant drone of so many meaningless pictures and words sedate the unsuspecting. In one of my favorite books, Sir Knight of the Splendid Way, there is a chapter where the knight finds a city where everyone walks around in a dull consciousness; but everything is just fine, with everyone. No one wants to disrupt the establishment since mediocrity and complacency are acceptable to all. Eat, drink, and be merry is the theme of this city.

 

But Sir Constant, having not been anesthetized from the amusements and entertainment of the city tries to awaken everyone out of their lethargy. But no one will listen, no one cares, and no one is wearing their armor. Sir Constant pleads to his comrades but they cannot see what he sees. He sees the enemy looming over the city holding its citizens captive-pleasantly accepting and conforming to a life of leisurely lethargy. Armor is strewn across the country side and no one believes that his concerns are valid. In desperation, he drags one of his comrades to the edge of the city and dresses him with his armor. Once outside the city his comrade begins to awaken out of his drugged state amusement and as his eyes readjust to the new light, he begins to see the enemy. Before he receives his first attack, he senses a new strength from within; his armor begins to conform to his body and movements; he unsheathes his sword and once again, he remembers—