Sunday 21 December 2008

The Moral Matrix

That's the name of a new TV series I think should air. The idea came to me while watching Gok Wan help an ugly duckling find her inner swan. The idea of the Moral Matrix is to help immoral people find their inner morality. People such as the Barclays employee who sold inside information obtained secretly from his wife. People such as Bernard Madoff, the disgraced Wall Street trader whose pyramid-scheme fund has disappeared in a puff of smoke.

But morals aren't missing just from Wall Street. Across society in general we are seeing a general decline in plain, simple knowing right from wrong. We see it in the rise of gang culture. We see it in the number of hate crimes or road rage. We see it in the mother who organizes her daughter's kidnap to claim the ransom money.

There has been much discussion about where children should learn morals. The obvious answer is from their parents, but that doesn't seem to be happening anymore. So people point to schools and say that should be the source. But should it?

But why not television? Most homes have one. Most people watch it. Put a charismatic presenter on The Moral Matrix, run it at 8 p.m. or right after some popular program. Show people who found their moral center (usually in prison) and what they do now. And get people thinking about their actions. Well, that's a start. I'm sure that many arguments can be made against this idea and they might be very valid. But isn't this a start?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's a really good idea. If we get people to 'meet' others who have found the way to good morals the hard way, it would hit home! Only problem is getting people to watch - maybe we should bribe already popular things like Eastenders to include it in their show!

I think the best way is very strong guidance at home, without too much strictness, coupled with the example of good friends who do constructive things with their time to show children that you don't have to be bad to fit in.

Fire Byrd said...

Great idea, but unless there are some vacuous celebs on it will anyone watch it?
I find it easy to hold on to my own moral code, but so difficult dealing with my sons. Who was brought up by me but seems to have some very suspect morals. Maybe it's his age?
Have a lovely Christmas
See you next year for lunch!
xxx

Anonymous said...

In an ideal world parents should be the ones to teach their children but it doesn't happen because they themselves weren't taught by their own parents. Teachers are limited as to what they teach for fear of being sued, the public are the same and the powers that be don't know what day it is.

CJ xx

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

Chapati: It could be a subliminal message, like movie theaters allegedly did with popcorn.

Firebyrd: Probably his age. Too much testosterone?

CJ: So true, unfortunately.

J said...

Been thinking about this- it's an interesting idea. I often wonder what drives people not to act ethically.

It seems to me that people actually know right from wrong, but choose not to act accordingly. Extreme greed and selfishness take over for some, and those same people seem to have no sense of guilt. The CEO of Merrill Lynch for example (no, you do not deserve a 10mil bonus!).

Just like the old adage that it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to instill morals in a child - home and school and everyone around. Perhaps the breakdown of community is part of the core here, too?

Queen Vixen said...

What a brilliant idea! I would watch it xxx

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Great post and I could rant for Britain on this subject but I won't! Happy Christmas dear lady. Hope 2009 holds better fortune for you and the family. X