There are not many things that are sacred any more. At one point in the not so recent past, people had sacred places all over their lives, places where they could be completely alone with their thoughts. Something that becomes a personal ritual to a person, becomes sacred to that person, however trivial the task or moment. To me, fishing is something that is sacred because I can be totally alone. I can just contemplate life and enjoy each and every detail of life. However, in modern day times, a lack of privacy has destroyed sacred spaces to the brink of extinction.
There really aren't many forms of media or literature concerning this in the public eye, but some satirists have managed to use grim humor to portray the loss of human privacy. The writers of "South Park", Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have released the first in a set of new episodes of their adult cartoons on Comedy Central.
The plot of the episode (without any spoilers) depicts an infiltration by an agency to the most sacred of some every day activities, Toilet time. "Toilet Time is the last bastion of American Freedom", states the comically-overweight main character Cartman. This episode is a statement against the intrusion of the government into private affairs, and thus against the destruction of sacred space.
It is easy to see that everyone has some sacred space, but the abundance of such spaces is dwindling. The trend of such exposure in modern media is beginning to gain a following. Soon, it may be a mainstream issue. Keep watch for depictions of sacred space as it means to the current generation, and how it may become a memory in the not so distant future.
Your way of looking at what sacred space is very unique but I am not sure that I understand how “toilet time” relates to sacred space. I agree that it is private and therefore allows for time to think, but is privacy what really defines a sacred space? I think that few individuals would consider “toilet time” time spent in a sacred space, especially in a public restroom. I also disagree with your statement that “there are not many things that are sacred any more” (1). Depending on whom one asks will get you different answers to what is sacred. To a religious person one may find that all of their houses of worship and each of their holy books are sacred. This adds up to a lot of sacred things and places. As to being private, although I agree that there are many people who have a sacred private quiet place, in religious places of worship people meet together and make a joyful noise together in the places they consider sacred.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with some of your points. I believe most sacred spaces are still around and are still being used for worship. Just a quick question, I really didn't understand your meaning. When you were talking about fishing, were you trying to say nature is sacred? If you did mean that I agree because many religions/people believe nature is sacred for example, Native Americans. Also I agree to an extent about the media part. I don't necessarily think that an Iphone or laptop to be sacred, but people are starting to value more material things instead of "natural" or sacred things. Overall, I liked your very different point of view about sacred space.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, FNI, some really intersting points from a really interesting point of view. I think your most interesting idea is that the government's privacy invasion is what is causing the lack of sacred space. I think it is very bold to call out the American Government like that. Also, it's intriguing that your view on sacred space is solitary. I think many people would agree with you, but I'm sure some would consider time spent with friends or family in a wonderful location sacred. You FNI.
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