With everything from drinks to shampoo now coming with a caffeine boost to help consumers make even more of now, it’s no surprise that anti-energy drinks have started to pop up, too.
Launched in August 2009 and claiming “euphoric relaxation,” Mary Jane’s Relaxing Soda uses Fijian kava extract, which the company claims mirrors the effects of alcohol without the negative side effects. The soda also contains passion flower extract, a calming herb used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Similarly, Canadian Slow Cow is advertised as a “relaxing, anti-energy drink” promoting the benefits of de-stress.
Does the slow return of the US consumer and products like this suggest we’ve reached the peak of our hyper paced consumer culture?
Will we look back at 2009 as the tipping point away from consumer Christianity and towards more authentic, missional forms of ministry?
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Content from Trendwatching.com
Ed,
Interesting article!
I don’t think it means we have reached the end of our hyper paced lives…As long as society stresses achievement being synonomous with hard work i think we will always strive to keep busy, and caffeinated.
I think these drinks are more indicative of wanting to be in control…Controlling the points of the day where you want to be more hyped, controlling the points where you need to relax. It fits right in with the mobile culture of being able to contact someone at anytime we please, or the convience of corner drug stores or fast food.
Who can remember when we left our homes without cell phones? The ability to have everything at our fingertips, seemingly in control at all times is empowering to many.
I think this is just the beginning of the whole control thing. How far away is being able to control the characteristics of our children, controlling brain function using nanotechnology, or transporting instantaneously to anywhere in the world? Are these good things?
I agree with Derek.
Someone is just tapping into this need people have for more control in their lives.
“I want to relax and I want to NOW”.
The consumer has reached the tipping point, but the problem is the consumer does know it yet.
You have two different Kingdoms pulling the consumer apart. The world is demanding that a person thinks and wants everything right now. Then you have the Spirit wanting to slow down and look for simplicity and peace.
That’s why so many people are double minded nowadays.
They want peace RIGHT NOW, they want patience RIGHT NOW, they want a deep relationship RIGHT NOW.
Today you see this relaxing soda, tomorrow you will see something to help people totally checkout.
People are going to demand a product that makes them stop for a moment.
Parents need to stay alert on this product, because when I was a teen “Mary Jane” was slang for marijuana.
Never used it, but the guys that did seemed very, very relaxed Hmmmmm.
Coincidence, I dont think so.
Derek,
Since I don’t drink these kind of drinks I’ve stood aside and viewed it as an issue for others. (Well I did drink a Red Bull once and was up all night). However, when you consider it an issue of control it sheds a very different light on it.
I do have a need for control as many, if not most of us do. And that’s an elusive aspiration at best. The essence of Christianity is to “take no thought of tomorrow” and to “live our lives as a living sacrifice for others”. And that’s a very different spirit than control and self satisfaction.
As Mick Jagger once said, “I can’t get no satisfaction”. Maybe he saw it all better than we realized back in the 60′s.
Ed
Tyrone,
There is a lot of conflict and confusion. And we’ve hit some kind of tipping point for sure.
Those of us who have traveled a few miles have a real responsibility here to create some clarity. The verse “Be still and know that I am God” comes to mind.
We need to slow down and be still. We need to hear our own heart and hear each others. We need to be in the Word and hear Him most of all.
And he says that if we hope to find our lives we must first lose them for the sake of others.
Much work to do.
Ed