Monomania. It is actually a word.
Monomania according to The Winston Canadian Dictionary for Schools it means a madness or craze in regards to a single subject or idea.
The Catch: is monomania the same as being addicted?
According to the same dictionary an addiction is one who is given over to a habit.
Has society become at risk for developing an addiction to monomania?
This debate has been roaring around in my head for some time. It stems from noting in recent years a growing trend where products, services, and celebrities become a wild craze. The must have. The must knows. The must experiences. The we can’t live without it or I will just die madness. Then just as quick as it starts these thoughts become over marketed and over produced to the point that something we once worshiped more than anything becomes de-valued to nothingness and we as a collective group are rushing onto the next greatest craze.
The Contemplation: Are we even aware of the potential addiction? And, if one is addicted what is it doing to our brains?
Has pop culture lost its sense of quality, of being present, of knowing an emotion, knowing self? Or with all our freedoms have we become a throw away? Do we behave this way because we are afraid if we don’t get on the latest trend we will miss being part of today’s culture? What is the extent of our craze? And, moreover what are we missing?
Being engaged in pop culture is being part of a shared experience. There is value in that. And, there is value in monomania.
Tonight I watched a documentary on Live Aid in the 1980’s. Under the leadership of one rock star named Sir Bob Geldof and several journalists for the CBC and BBC taking enormous risks they brought the disaster in Ethiopia to the world's attention. The disaster they were focusing on was real. Really real. Putting fear aside and using their gifts for communication - they just did it – they communicated a call to action through music and images that ultimately prevented an utter catastrophe from become worse than it already was.
The story is much grander in its tragedy and triumph than a one paragraph highlight. I know that because I was part of that global experience - it was part of my culture.
Two years ago I had the opportunity to hear Bob Geldof speak at a fundraising dinner where he was being honoured for his work. Should you get the opportunity to hear him tell his story. Take it. Because it is then that you will really understand the difference between monomania and an addiction to mania.
It is all about keeping it and being it: real.
thInQ About It.
What are your thoughts, let me know post a comment.
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