Pay Attention to Me; Quit Looking at Me

I recently was reading a book by Robert Frank called Falling Behind: How Rising Inequality Harms the Middle Class. In the book Frank claims that things people buy (or want to buy) depends on context. A middle class family feeling great about their 1200 square foot home in 1963 feels left behind in 2007 because their friends all live in 2400 square foot homes.

Frank begins his book with an interesting insight that I agree with: "it is a basic human need for other people to engage with you, to pay attention to you, to take you seriously." It was that way for Egyptian people, Roman people, Colonial Americans, our grandparents, and for us. Today you will be noticed by the home you own, the car you drive, and the clothes you wear. It's why its so expensive to get the real good homes, cars, and clothes of today. They are in great demand. Frank believes we live in a time when the middle class is falling farther and farther behind the upper class. Today's middle class must live in older homes, buy economical cars, and shop at Wal-Mart for clothes. "The failure to meet this need [to have others pay attention to you] will prove the most serious and enduring mental health problem of the future."

Also recently, I happened upon my friendly neighborhood Google Maps which allows me to scroll all over accurate maps of the USA with my computer mouse. For years you have had the option of displaying a birds-eye-view of these maps, looking at actual satellite photographs of the world. You can get a great view of the huge Black Locust tree that covers the top of my house if you typed in my address.

Well now Google gives you the option of also viewing places from the ground, and not just from space. It's called "Street View." The street I live on is not available, but you can move a little man to the street next to my church and get a nice view of my office window. It seems the Chicago area is one of the first areas Google has thoroughly covered with "Street View." And people are not happy about it. Apparently some "Street View" pictures have included people in positions they would rather not be seen in. Many see this as another way big bad Google is invading our privacy. I think it's kinda neat personally.

So sometimes in life we want to flaunt it: "Look at me!" Sometimes we want privacy: "Mind your own business." In a world where we have to spend more on electricity, gasoline, and food, there is so little left for "bling." In a world where modern communication allows us to never be face-to-face with those we communicate with there is no one to say "look at me" to. So sure you can try on Facebook or Myspace, but then you loose your privacy and people will be looking at you who really shouldn't.

One of the best ways to avoid the "mental health problems" Frank predicts will happen is to opt out the age old "keeping up the Joneses" race. Living simply and living faithfully allows you to look at your "stuff" with gratitude and not envy. Living simply and faithfully frees you from envy and fear. Let the Google monster spread its reach from space to your street and even in your office. "The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)" Faithful living allows you to say "look at me!" when others would say "Go away." Faithful living also allows you to say "look at me!" even when your clothes are from K-Mart and your car is 11 years old. Look at me, I'm a child of God.