It only takes one look at your newsfeed to see that we’ve got a long way to go as a society. Despite all of the progress we’ve made, we still struggle with many of the same problems that have plagued and divided humanity for centuries. And yet, despite all of our shortcomings, you have to admit, we’ve made it pretty easy to buy gum.
As the powerful continue to exert its control over the powerless, it’s easy to conclude that society is failing its most vulnerable members. Still, we must remember that we are lucky enough to live in a society where gum is more abundant than ever. No other generation has enjoyed the variety of flavors that we enjoy today, with such widespread availability. As important as it is to close the gap between the rich and the poor, it’s pretty undeniable that society has really threaded the needle when it comes to selling gum.
Sure, it would be great if, at some point, human life took precedence over profits, but in the meantime, the fact that we’ve really nailed gum should be celebrated.
You’re never more than five minutes away from gum in any major city, even in sections where generations of civic neglect have created unbreakable cycles of incarceration and poverty. It’s not just corner stores, either. You can also buy gum from countless vending machines that dot the entire globe. Or, if you don’t feel like going outside, you can order it on Amazon and get it delivered to your door within two hours. Sure, it would be great if, at some point, human life took precedence over profits, but in the meantime, the fact that we’ve really nailed gum should be celebrated.
No matter how strongly you feel about any particular societal ill we face, it would be an uphill battle to argue humanity needs to focus more on getting gum in front of people.
While protections of privacy and personal liberty have eroded in the name of safety, governments around the world have, by and large, allowed the purchase of gum to continue unfettered. Regardless of your race, sexual orientation, or religion, you’re welcome to buy any flavor of Dentyne Ice you wish. And it’s about time we stopped and recognized that.