Sarah Kupferberg
I stand in the express line at the local grocery store, hoping to bypass other shoppers. I¹m in a hurry. As the line progresses, I gawk at the commercials on a flat screen on my left. Scanning the area, I notice plasma screens at every register, luring us into the world of consumerism. The elderly woman behind me is hypnotized by a tabloid detailing the latest sex scandal, while her eyes periodically dart to yet another screen.
This is society. My generation has become one of emotionally sterile bobble-heads staring at images on computer and television screens. The thirst for knowledge is disintegrating as video games and reality shows fill our leisure time, where imaginative thinking is at a minimum. Respect for writers and artists has taken a hard fall, and my fellow high school students are forgetting the importance of creativity. It is an area that is commonly overlooked, and it has become a rarity to see students writing, reading, painting or drawing for pleasure.
We live in a culture where flashing images overrun our lives and control the minds of our youth, and Internet obsessions have become an epidemic. Entertainment in the past consisted of substance, knowledge and imagination. Dickens fans once camped out at New York harbor awaiting the ship from London carrying the latest installment of one of his novels.
Today teens flock to see who is cheating on whom in the latest reality show, where sex, women and drugs are exploited. Sure, I¹m guilty of watching these shows periodically, but if we were to invest the time we spend every day surfing the Internet and watching television in the arts, writing, painting, drawing and music, today¹s youth would acknowledge the significance of talent that is so easily neglected. True, there are those of us who want to encourage creativity among youth. But first it must be prompted, and then celebrated.
In our capitalist society, financial gain is lauded, whereas a profession in the arts too often reinforces of the starving artist stereotype.
In light of this realization, I joined the art and literary magazine at school, Inkblot. I wanted to take part in the artistic scene. Now, as Inkblot¹s editor, I work hand in hand with the creators of thought-provoking work. Literary magazines are an example of a venue where high school students can express themselves creatively ‹ namely, by writing. It is vital that we continue to encourage innovative thinkers, those who have ideas and risk sharing them with others. Imagine a world without the Steinbecks, Bradburys, Kafkas or Hemingways of our generation.
Free expression of thoughts and ideas can influence today¹s youth ‹ my peers ‹ and encourage change to benefit our future. Without the thinkers, the writers and the artists, the moral ground we stand on may not be as firm as it is today. It is important to promote creativity in our schools so future generations will awaken and learn to appreciate artistic talent.
