How Electronics killed Consideration

     It never fails.  When you board any public transportation, you are about 10 seconds from encountering disappointment in humanity. 
     There always seems to be at LEAST one individual who is playing music on his cell phone without headphones so loudly that you can hear it at the opposite end of the car.  But why?  Why would anyone be so blatantly inconsiderate?  Do they really think that the whole train wants to hear their terrible music?  While some mothers don't mind their small children listening to music about rape, murder, prostitution, drugs, alcohol and how much richer and skankier that artist is than you. some would prefer to skip that sort of influence.  Also, many adults don't want to hear it either.  If we did, surely we could manage to download it to our own phone or iPod and listen to it like a considerate individual with the use of headphones. 
     So why do they do it?  Why omit the headphones?  Why blast it in a crowded place?  Why choose the most vulgar displays of the arts available?  (cause lets be real, we're never hearing Beethoven blasted on the train) My only guess is they are trying to cast an impression of themselves as someone who doesn't care about anyone else, thus coming across as either a threat or somehow above the laws of society.  At what point did that become desirable?
     It doesn't stop with music either.  Every since Nextel came on the scene, people seem to think that the entire train WANTS to hear their private conversations.  On an almost daily basis I hear conversations about buying and selling drugs, cheating on girlfriends, one night stands, venereal diseases, crimes, family disputes, stealing from friends and family, break-ups, racism, homophobia, etc.  At what point do they draw the line of public and private?  Are they proud of the way they are portraying themselves?  Or have we simply confused the reasons for tactical censorship?
     Censorship can and often is bad.  No question.  I'm a huge fan of the right to free speech.  But some things simply don't need to be public information.  You have a right to privacy.  But YOU are responsible for building and maintaining that sanctuary.  We don't need to hear about your nasty bowel movements, or sexual conquests and failures.  Your personal preferences in a romantic, political or religious way are not our business.  Discussion of those topics is like a date.  Both parties have to enter willingly for it to go well. 
     Now I know many people would ask why they should care what someone else thinks, wants, feels or believes.  This is becoming more and more common of my generation and of the one following mine.  You should care because sometimes you are the other person.  Judgement, criticism and ambivalence can hurt.  As long as we as individuals go around behaving as we wish without consideration for those around us, society will be an uncomfortable place to live in.  We need to become cognisant  of the impact of our actions.  Our attitude toward ourselves and others shapes the experience of everyone. 
     Think for a moment about the internet.  Scan a few profiles on myspace or facebook.  Think of how people are portraying themselves.  How often do you see people starting fights, harshly judging each other, creating false identities or otherwise acting like a fool?  We have  detached ourselves from humanity.  People aren't real to us anymore.  There are so many passing through our lives both digitally and in reality that they become insignificant to us. 
     At times we resent one another... like when several people showed up ahead of you and you have to wait in line or the train is crowded, etc. 
    It's true.  Sometimes life, people, societies can be frustrating.  How could anything so immense and complex ever be simple?  ... the whole may not be easy but we are only responsible for one person's actions.  Rather than resenting people or putting up a defense mechanism of digital fortresses and false personas, remember that your actions have an impact on those around you at home, work, or on the train.  You have the power to make or ruin someone's day... So the real question is which one is it going to be?