Definition: When a Spider bites, its venom produces the sensation of numbness or paralysis.
Relation to Ourselves: So when an Individual (or group of individuals) exhibits behavior under the guise of the Spider, their words or actions produce the sensation of numbness within us.
Example: The most prevalent example of a Spider’s Bite is the desensitization of our youth through the increased prevalence of violence and of the abhorrent behavior in our media, and within the mores of our governing society.
Intention: In this case, the intention may be financial gain. However, the impact is the desensitization of society or individuals within society. This is accomplished through the subjugation of society, of abhorrent situations; such as the use of inappropriate language or the acceptance( through the propagation by media) of questionable behavior.
A quick analysis of society today, shows the distancing of individuals away from previously acceptable behavior.
Combat: We combat this by bringing a mixture of both heat and cold. Confusing yes, but the Spider’s Bite is the most prevalent of ailments confronting us today. When confronted by an individual or small group, we can combat this by voicing our concern-by speaking out.
But when the numbness to preconceived mores come to us from a source of influence, such as the media or corporate America; then our defense becomes much more precarious.
But though this can arrest the direct infiltration of de- sensitizing material against our established mores; in-direct influence will still abound through our interaction with others within society. How then can we protect ourselves from a large majority.
Now we cannot isolate ourselves from society as some sectarian groups currently isolate themselves form mainstream society and technology. Because this would only increase the sphere of influence of mainstream society’s inappropriateness, with the inevitable fate of future encroachment into our way of life, and its probable dissolution.
No, to combat the desensitization created by the Spider’s Bite, we must:
A. Defend our families by decreasing the ability of these attitudes to encroach into our home-lives, and to influence our children. This can be accomplished by turning-off an a- moral television program, and explain to our children why that certain program is of negative influence to their upbringing and a non-acceptable method of behavior in society.
B. Secondly, we must arm our children and ourselves with the knowledge of “what harm” each of these negative traits/behaviors imparts upon a person. Because each negative trait is hiding or destroying a positive behavior trait. If we can identify the harm being caused, we can then extrapolate into the positive trait that is being hidden or destroyed. Once these two factors have been identified, we can then deduce the reaction required to counter-balance the negative desensitizing behavior.
Example: A case in point regarding this matter is: A young girl dressing like a mature woman, and/or of even dressing immodestly. The intention of the young girl may be to look attractive, but based upon which characteristics of attractiveness is she wishing to focus the attention of her onlookers, either purposefully or un-purposefully.
To a single individual or small group, it may be quite easy, easier, to focus the prime characteristic of attractiveness to an intangible characteristic such as intelligence or humor, and away from any physical attributes being accentuated.
A secondary example can be any one of the afternoon programs on television which are targeting impressionable minds of children/young adults. Though their programming may taunt to teach a lesson of proper behavior, the focus of the program relies to heavily upon the negative trait being exemplified, as well as the reciprocating negative behavior of those being affected. Only a small and lost portion deals with any positive behavior reinforcement.
The Spider’s Bite is the most prevalent ailment to society and ourselves, and the most difficult to eradicate from our lives. The desensitization of established mores within society infiltrates our homes and divides our families. Parents are typically too far removed from the finer aspects of our children’s lives; what music they are listening to, what shows are they watching, and what clothes are they wearing.
We need to participate more in the lives of our children, and help them identify and combat against the ailments benefiting others, but at the expense of themselves.
End Note: We must stand firmly and openly for the freedom of the down trodden, focusing attention on the positive attributes of everyone.