The battle wages on

For the first time in a long while I attended the cinema to view a moving picture show.
Naturally, what that means is that I went to the movies, but the terminology they had in the early days of Hollywood encompasses a certain romanticism, so I prefer their lingo.
Either way, as I nestled into my seat, popcorn in one hand, oversized, overpriced drink in the other, I sat patiently waiting for the previews and opening credits to roll.
As the lights dimmed and a hush fell over the theatre, all eyes became transfixed on the illuminated screen in front of us.
Whether I had actually seen it before or simply forgotten - a viable result of the gap between theatre visits - I was star struck, and not by any Hollywood celebrity.
Rather, as my eyes scanned from left to right as each info graphic popped up, I was frozen in a state of, well, I guess shock would fit the bill here.
The first graphic, or at least I think it was the first - I can't quite remember and the importance of their sequential births contains no relevance anyhow - reminded all patrons to turn off their cell phones.
The second graphic gently urged those in attendance to remain quiet throughout the duration of the film.
The third and final graphic asked for everyone to dispose of their garbage in, of all things, a garbage can, as if people wouldn't be able to piece that puzzle together.
Then it hit me.
People can't piece that puzzle together without detailed instruction.
The mere fact that we have to be reminded of these simple, common courtesies is unnerving to say the least, but what does it say about the current state of the society in which we reside?
The more I thought about this, the more I struggled to draw the line between stupidity and just plain ignorance.
By and large, I don't think people are stupid. Yes, many lack common sense, but stupid, it might be too soon to make that claim.
In an age dominated by electronics it's easy to, for the most part, stop thinking for ourselves and either have someone or something else tell us what to do, or to just simply have them do it for us.
Think about it, how many of you would rather reach for a calculator instead of doing math in your head?
Even Monopoly has the option of using a specific calculator during game play. Sure it's handy, but it is necessary?
My goal is not to chastise these handy little helpers, as some are quite convenient, but again, there is a murky line between laziness and convenience.
My main gripe is simply that, as adults, which we all were in the theatre, this reminder was deemed necessary.
Is it not common knowledge that when you're in a room that is supposed to be quiet you turn the ringer of your cell phone off and not hold a discussion about who's dating who? Is it not common knowledge that when you're done with your garbage you throw it away in the appropriate places?
The sad part is that these reminders proved to be futile, as all three suggestions went for naught.
The really sad part is that people generally don't care. They'd rather park in the handicap space as they quickly run into the store, basing the decision on the fact that they will only be a second.
They would rather toss an empty popcorn bag under the seat knowing that someone else will clean it up rather than dispose of it as they walk right by a garbage can on the way out.
I suppose, at the end of the day, ignorance wins out over stupidity.
Come to think of it though, is that really something we can consider a victory?