Once Upon a Time

The music played in public spaces was sterile. Nothing was heard that had a hint of violence, sex, or profanity. Perhaps it was motivated by the smart business interests of that time — no need to insult, anger, or demean potential customers.

It’s not certain whether customers were different back then or whether businesses have just grown not to care about offending customers realizing the impossibility of pleasing all. But things have changed.

Did the attitude of business persons as displayed in the music broadcast in public spaces serve to change the public? Or did a slow and continuous change in the public result in a change in business attitudes?

Perhaps this trend started as merely a way to be different and grow ratings with young, immature audiences in search of the new and different. Those immature audiences eventually grow into Neilsen households shaping the future of television and society in the process.

We are so accustomed to being programmed by others, although we don’t call it that. Our music, the branding of our clothing, and our constant connectivity to external forces by wireless phones and the internet. We have been taught to see all these devices as tools of empowerment. But they are not.

So, what are we to do? We shall talk of better things, confessing we are with God and He with us, that we are surrounded by His power and love and goodness and that there is no power that can overcome us. And we praise Him who is great and wonderful and is all.  And we soldier-on in His word knowing it is our only strength.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. 

Psalm 67:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 6 Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us.