Isn't there something more vital to camp out for?
by Ed Stasick 
{ Dec 3rd 2006 at 11:00AM }
While perusing the news today, I stumbled across an interesting "Letter to the Editor" over at the Fredicksburg Free-Lance Star.
In some ways, Mr. Morrows' letter rings true. However, the folks that lined-up for a PS3 are a very, very small percentage of the population. Not every "20-something" person lined up. Not nearly. And, waiting in line for the PS3 doesn't necessarily mean that you don't contribute to society, go to church or volunteer your time. While there are some sweeping generalizations in the letter, I always appreciate something that forces me to think about my priorities.When I saw the people at Target who had camped out for days to get the new PlayStation 3, I thought, "Pathetic." When I saw on CNN that thousands of people across the country were camping out for a PS3, I thought, "Disgusting."
We live in a time when 1 percent of our population does 100 percent of the fighting and dying overseas. We live in a country where millions are without health care. Much of New Orleans remains in ruins. We have huge environmental issues that will affect the generation that is now coming of age.
Are my fellow teens and 20-somethings camping out in protest of these issues? Are we donating time to the betterment of mankind?
No. We are camping out in the cold and the rain for a video game console.
We seem more concerned about our iPods and video games than the future. Unless we start shaping our world now, we will spend our adult lives fixing "hand-me-down" problems.
My generation is being ignored because we don't seem to care. Next time, "camp out" for something meaningful. Do something in reality, not virtual reality. Write letters to elected officials and newspapers. Volunteer your time. Be heard.
Philip Morrow
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BklynKid @ Dec 3rd 2006 11:38AM
How does going to church contribute to society? I would say it actually does the opposite.
Good letter though, it does ring true to some extend.
Carnie @ Dec 3rd 2006 1:42PM
I would agree with you on that. The letter makes several statments that I would have to say are dead on, but like ED said just because a few people camped out for a PS3 that doesn't mean that people don't care about our future. I would think that the peoson that wrote the letter would take into account that those where just a few people that did go out to get a PS3 compared to our population....
soccerdrew17 @ Dec 3rd 2006 1:22PM
#1 good comment. Church can hurt society at times, not all but some. It does do lots of community service, but is often very stubborn on things.
Anyways. It assumes that people never do things for society. Does camping out for four days, but doing community service for a hundred days seem bad? Get to know the people first, don't jump to conclusions like everyone in this country seems to do.
skyrous @ Dec 3rd 2006 1:32PM
Donating to a small church that's focused on helping a local community is usually the best use of your charity dollars. You help the greatest number of people with the fewest number of salaried bureaucrats taking a cut.
It's also the best use of your volunteer time as they mostly concerned with addressing the problem and not "putting on a show".
Nick @ Dec 3rd 2006 1:56PM
Just because I camped out for a PS3 and Wii doesn't mean I don't do something to help others. In fact, I took the 17th off from my volunteer job at a local psychiatric hospital in order to wait outside. This letter isnt for the 20 year olds,its for the 43 year olds with no kids and no intention of playing that were looking to make money. They should have other things to do.
Kayura @ Dec 3rd 2006 4:22PM
5 words:
Mind your own business, Phil.
Matt @ Dec 3rd 2006 5:22PM
Yeah, that guy needs to get a life. Just because someone decides to "get away" from the world for a couple days and wait for a PS3 doesn't mean they don't care abou the world. Camping out for another cause? What exactly does that mean. Just vote democratic for a better world.
chillski @ Dec 4th 2006 10:30AM
ok this is idiotic. i'd say 3% or less of the demographic he pointed out was camping and yes i was one of them, so i know.
it is true tho that if younger generations were putting there time and effort into better themselves or this nation, i.e. voting, protesting, etc etc... this world would be a better place.
but still does that piece of shit have the right to call me pathetic because i camped out for a couple of days in the cold and rain to get a 600 dollar blu ray, next gen consule, super computer to play on hdtv !!! NO !!!
maybe he should write articles where he's not such an ignorant prick !!