The Mass Man

The Mass Society and Media, and their shaping of the Mass Man

"What is the Mass Man? The Mass Man is that type of man who is not interested in spiritual values; is not interested in knowing something about the truth: it is the type of man who thinks he is completely entitled to any form of freedom, absolute freedom. Life (has) to be easy; no restrictions, please, no criticism, and (he) demands instant satisfaction of all his physical and material needs."

So Rob Reimen eloquently states the crisis man faces in the modern world of the fast and the furious. In his many arguments this one quote stood out. Instant gratification, desensitization, and suffocation; the Mass Man is no stranger to these words and yet he knows not their impact on his life.
The Mass Man is the product of a Mass Society; namely a Mass Media. Evolution is a natural part of living. You become accustomed to images and ideas that are constantly pressed upon you. (For an example of this, see this study.) You adapt. However, these things take time. Reimen uses the example of sex; a woman's bare leg was once enough to arouse a man. The thought of this in today's society is laughable. The things that we allow on cable television, in PG-13 movies, even in the classroom are practically pornographic by these standards.
The natural process of becoming accustomed to these things was rapidly sped up by the revolution of media. Instead of a daily paper or a radio show we have started relying solely on TV and the web. We have become increasingly visual creatures. We have gotten used to Google (0.30 seconds) searches and 24 hour news stations. Why bother reading when you can watch? Why bother waiting if you can have it now? Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?
With this lifestyle and these resources you would think that people would have more- instead of less- time. However, this is not the case. Living life in fast-forward leaves the persons tired, jaded, or most commonly lazy. Having never had to struggle to obtain anything, anything that seems out of reach while sitting on the couch is obviously not worth struggling for. There is a new and better simulation to keep you quiet and occupied shoved under your nose. The Mass Man is a product of a Mass Media which works to keep the mind subdued. The subject of spirituality, the idea of striving versus thriving is unheard of.