Why do we crave speed?

I was sitting at my desk at the bank today.  It was a slow day - didn't have too many customers.  I was bored so I got on the internet to see what was going on at CNN.com.  I had been told I have the second slowest computer in the branch so I already knew it wouldn't pop right up.  But after waiting probably 20 seconds, I got extremely angry inside, like I wanted to throw the whole computer out the drive through window.  After I calmed myself down, that whole situation made me think...why do we crave speed everywhere?

Back in the 90s when we had dial up internet, we were used to the slow.  But it seemed fast because we had never used the internet before.  Companies are always trying to come up with new ways for us to do things faster.  4G, cars, internet, everything.  And the worst part of all these new fast things is that we as a generation now expect everything to be fast.  We believe it is our right as humans to not have to wait more than 5 minutes at the grocery store.  It is incomprehensible to us that it might take a little time for a light to turn green.  Why is it that everything must be speedy?  Are our days so full that we can't spare a couple extra minutes waiting for our coffee in the morning?  We think "well why does he get his order first when I got here first?"  Well maybe its because your order is so complicated that it took them EXTRA time to make it!

There's a thought.  Complicated things take more time.  Any of you know how to program the internet?  Didn't think so.  Why not?  Because it's complicated.  Do we know how to do all the things we ask our waiters and waitresses to do for us when we eat?  I'm guessing not.  So do we know how much time it will take to write our complicated orders down and explain to the cook exactly how we want them made?  Probably not.  Who doesn't enjoy a nice long meal?  I definitely do!  In a hurry?  Then why did you come to a restaurant to eat?  Maybe we should all get ADD so when things are loading our minds can wander.  But just a few seconds too long and its the end of the world.  W missed the beginning of the game.  We missed the first episode.  We didn't get the great seats.  Big deal!  We have metal tubes that fly us across the world and we're frustrated because the amazing technology of the internet that very experienced experts spend years researching to be able to put on our small devices that let us talk to virtually anyone in the world like they're right next to us wouldn't load IMMEDIATELY.

What are we thinking?  Why does everything have to happen now?  Think of it like this.  If food doesn't take the time to cook, it's not good, right?  If we can apply that thought process to our everyday lives, think of how much more relaxed and happy we can be thinking, the longer it takes, the better it will be.  You're thinking, "well that doesn't apply to waiting in line for something."  You're right, it doesn't.  But it's not as if there's nothing to do while you wait.  Why do we have to say we were waiting?  Why can't we say "I read an interesting magazine and then the doctor called me in."  That sounds like a pleasant hour don't you think?  Nothing like this one, "I waited for a WHOLE FREAKING HOUR and then the stupid doctor decides it's FINALLY my turn."  Your day doesn't have to be that bad or boring.

Wake up people.  Its 2011 and we can pretty much do anything we want on our phones.  Yes, it may take time, but you are about 1000% smarter than someone who doesn't have a phone, just because you have a phone.  50 years ago, there was no Starbucks.  People took the TIME to make coffee on their own.  They got it all ready and WAITED for it to be made.  I'm no coffee expert but I'm betting it tastes a whole lot better now that it did then.  So let me ask you...are you spending your time waiting, or doing something fun until something else happens?