by Michael Ray

Created on: May 05, 2009

Privacy has disappeared in much the same way as our morals, slowly but surely. Technology has been blamed for much of this but the truth is, our respect for our fellow man is too blame.

Consider this, when you're at the store, in a movie, or even in church and a cell phone rings do you blame the phone? Of course not! The rudeness of this interruption stems from the owner of the phone thinking their business is important enough to disrupt everyone around them. The same principal holds true for people who blare their music loud enough that entire neighborhoods can hear them coming from blocks away. Couples scream at each other in front yards forcing neighbors to either tune in or turn up their televisions. Let's not forget the telemarketers who believe their sales pitch is important enough that calls are received at all hours of the day and night.

Science has determined that our "personal space" extends out 24" from our body. Unfortunately that space only seems to include our physical space and not our senses. Daily I'm bombarded with noise at excessive levels, people wearing clothes that would make me blush, smells from the neighbors pets that have drifted into my house and people walking through my yard to save one minutes worth of walking time.

I'll allow you that freedom of expression has a lot to do with that but when someones freedom overlaps into my personal space my privacy has been violated.

Next time your traveling through town take note of all the 'No Trespassing', 'No Solicitors', and 'Keep Out' signs that have been posted. These signs have all been posted because someone's privacy has been violated at one point and they're letting people know that they don't appreciate it and don't want it to happen again.

Why do people play their music at levels that would rival a jet taking off or any of the other interruptions mention above? It stems from the 'I' factor that has taken over our country. I want to do it, I want to play it, I, I, I. As long as it's not breaking the law apparently lack of respect and concern for our fellow human beings has been flung in our face.

The greatest problem is that our only solution to the problem is not to contribute to it. Though it's virtually impossible to get through an entire day without interacting with people, we can limit the amount this will affect others. A conversation between two people should not be heard by those 6 feet away, music can be turned down so you can hear it easily, the house 1/4 mile away isn't interested.

Do your part and maybe someday we can all live together without stepping on each others toes.

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