Subway Microcosm of Society

On the subway this morning a man raced down the car and pushed aside two women to sit down. Even in New York's numb transit culture, it was egregious enough that people shook their heads and forced annoyed, wry smiles. It was enough for him to notice, even with nose embedded in paper and ears attuned to iPod.

"I had my eye on this seat from across the car," he offered, as if he could sense his douchebaggery and needed to make everyone understand.

I thought that was a very odd defense of his actions, but I think it struck him as completely defensible. In his mind he wanted it more, so it was deservedly his. I really think this line of thinking is in wider evidence, in the more self-centered corners of our culture.

Not to say that this isn't a good notion on its face. We are taught early on that working hard, being competetive and putting your goals first will eventually being good things and I agree with that. But, you know, there is a line.