Let's Get Over Ourselves

Just who do we think we are?

While we poke fun at our misguided ancestors who thought the sun revolved around the earth, we seem to have done them one better. Apparently we have come to believe that, not only the sun, but the entire universe as well, exists for the sole purpose of giving us whatever we want, whenever we want it.

A few weeks ago, seven children between the ages of 12 and 14, stole a car and went for a joyride. An on-duty police officer noticed the car weaving along the road and tried to pull them over. Unfortunately the driver took off at a high speed and lost control of the car. Tragically, all seven of the kids were killed in the crash. At last report, bereaved families and friends were holding the policeman responsible for causing the crash and spoiling "innocent" youthful fun.

What?

A recent American president lectures us on why an extramarital sexual encounter is technically not wrong for him. Peace demonstrators trash a McDonald's restaurant while protesting the hypocrisy of leaders who speak of peace while waging war.

Wait a minute!

I can't turn on my television anymore without running into the "crocodile hunter" and his never-ending quest to save those "magnificent reptiles." The crocodile has survived more than two hundred million years, and this guy thinks it's not going to make it through another decade without his help. Am I missing something?

I switch to a channel airing a commercial for wireless phone services. Every "testimonial" begins with the words, "I want," and goes on to demand instant access to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. Once considered a luxury, this immediate gratification is now apparently a necessity, and a reasonable expectation to boot.

After 14 years of fabrications and stonewalling, Pete Rose decides to tell the truth about having gambled on baseball. Immediately, he wants admission into the Hall of Fame. Apparently honesty deserves a special reward. What's going on here?

For the umpteenth time (but who's counting), Michael Jackson denies that he sexually abuses children, then reasserts his "right" to invite latency-age kids into bed with him any time he pleases. Thank you for the lesson in child development, Mike. I think I'll stick with Dr. Spock on this one.

Does anybody see the same pattern I do? America , long identified as the home of the brave and land of the free, is looking more and more like the home of the entitled and the land of the arrogant. What started admirably as the Bill of Rights seems to have deteriorated into a national obsession with getting everything we want, as soon as we want it. Gone is the notion that diligence, perseverance and integrity are required for success. Now wanting it badly enough is considered sufficient reason to expect it.

"Have it your way" has become more than advertising jargon. It has grown from a privilege into a right we feel entitled to claim with escalating audacity.

Who do we think we are? Where did we get such ideas? More to the point, since these examples are just the tip of the iceberg, what are we going to do?

Laugh. That's my suggestion.

We've got to stop taking our self-serving expectations and ourselves so seriously. If we don't get over ourselves, we will go down as nature's biggest joke - a pie-in-the-face footnote in the ongoing history of the universe.

Maybe it's our destiny to be the clowns of the universe. That is all the more reason to laugh. After all, what's funnier than a naked man who thinks he is well dressed?

Dr. Clifford Kuhn is both a psychiatrist and a comedian. He is professor of psychiatry at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. His book, The Fun Factor: Unleashing the Power of Humor at Home and on the Job , is available in bookstores and on his website. A professional member of the National Speakers Association, he offers entertaining workshops and presentations on humor skills and is available to anyone interested in enhancing performance, productivity and health by creating an atmosphere of fun. Results are guaranteed . Dr. Kuhn may be reached by phone (502-722-8732), e-mail (laffdr@aol.com) or by visiting his website (www.humorbeing.com).