“Flakes Alive!” explores the cultural phenomenon of “flake culture” in America, where cancelling plans at the last moment has become increasingly normalised. This behaviour is often justified by citing overwork and stress, leading to a society where unreliability is not only accepted but expected. The rise of digital communication has exacerbated this issue, as it allows for last-minute cancellations without face-to-face confrontation.
The trend is also linked to the American work ethic, where being busy is seen as a status symbol. This leads to overcommitment and subsequent flaking. The impact on social relationships is profound, as flaking becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy: the more it happens, the more people expect it, and the more they do it themselves.
This trend is not without its critics. Some argue that it erodes trust and respect in relationships, while others see it as a symptom of a society obsessed with productivity at the expense of personal connections. In the end, “flake culture” is a reflection of the societal values and the way people relate to each other in the digital age. It’s a culture that prizes individual convenience over social obligation, with all the benefits and drawbacks that entails.
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