The Burden of Choice

As Americans we tend to view more choice in life as an inherent good. The more choices the better. And we believe that about everything from toothpaste to TV channels and from churches to sex, not to mention how much time we spend on deciding what type of food we want to eat. It can all be very time consuming and for some, draining, though not many people mention the dark side of too many choices.

If you're apt to compare things then it is easy to spend countless hours comparing the micro-differences in various products and if you're looking for a better price then days can be spent on the Internet in order to save a little money. Of course if one has more time than money then this may be a nececessity but it can still be a burden nonetheless.

The solution of course is not fewer choices. Nobody wants to go back to four cars to choose from or one grocery store or, God forbid, five flavors of gum, but in spite of the gift of this freedom, choice also has a shadow side.

The old theologian, Martin Luther, used to write about the bondage of the will but I am not sure if he wrote anything about the bondage of choice. Choice, too, can be a slavery.