The “Bic Syndrome”

There is a phenomenon in contemporary American culture that appears to be at least 20 years old. As a counselor who both teaches and practices the art of counseling, I have observed this phenomenon in both my students and the individuals with whom I do counseling throughout this period. I refer to this “quirk” in contemporary human behavior as the "Bic Syndrome."

While I must admit that I most frequently observe this phenomenon in clients who seek counseling to address a personal problem or students in the classroom who are more interested in a degree than the knowledge afforded by education, I have also noted the Bic Syndrome in part time employees in entry level positions, couples in relationships where the initial passion of the pursuit gives way to the challenges of learning to live together, and even those who believe that life’s offerings by a particular birthday are not fulfilling, boring, or just plain dull. The "Bic Syndrome" takes its name from the popular disposable razor so successfully marketed for the past 15 to 20 years.

The beauty of the disposable razor is that its relative economy allows one to simply discard the razor when it is perceived to be dull and replace it with another "new" and sharper one. There's no muss, no fuss, and no one thinks twice about the practice. Now with razors--and cigarette lighters for that matter--this may be convenient and economical. It would seem, however, that we have become something of a "disposable" society. It often seems easier and more convenient to discard an item that becomes “dull” or is “old” when compared to the latest model. Sometimes it even seems that we would rather discard and replace an item than invest the effort or time necessary to properly maintain or fix it. If this is true on any level, does it suggest that we have become a pleasure-seeking culture that believes it is somehow our right to expect immediate gratification and not have to tolerate things “inconvenient, dull or tedious”? To discard razors and lighters may be a relatively harmless practice in the grand scheme of things, but what happens if this “consumer’s view” of convenience affects our commitment to jobs, friends, or relationships, especially at those times that will always surface when they become dull or tedious or are in need of maintenance?

To a large extent, we humans know what we have learned and learn what we have been taught. Now, this does not mean that one cannot predetermine her/his own course in life and pursue the learning that permits the pursuit of a dream, but if one is overly involved in the Bic Syndrome, the desire for the newest, sharpest, brightest reality can undermine one's resolution to work on a problem relationship rather than to simply discard it and move one.

I have often overheared the rumblings of students about "how hard" school is and how "professors should know we have jobs and personal lives" when receiving an assignment that requires significant reading, field work, or unyielding demands for quality in papers or other assignments that require significant investments of time or effort. The expectation is that professors should "lighten-up" and required standards should be driven by the convenience of the student rather than the professor’s expectation of scholarship. While this may be a minority of students, I question if the "Bic Syndrome" has not affected our next generation of students. And what of the impact of the Bic Syndrome on relationships? What relationship maintains the same level of passion and intensity through month and years of togetherness that was present when the parties first became involved? How is it possible to avoid differences of opinion or the problems related to blending two independent personalities into the intimacy of a maturing relationship?

There is something to be said for the old "straight edge and razor strop" approach to maintaining the edge on one’s personal relationships. Richard Bach perhaps said it best in his book, Illusions, “There is no such thing as a problem without its gift inside. The reason we have problems is because we need their gifts.” To discover that my Bic razor no longer has an edge and I risk cutting myself if I shave with it may justify discarding the blade and replacing with a new one. But if I discover that my relationship with my kids or spouse or lover is strained or dull or requires maintenance, I think I will consider the lesson of the straight-edge and barber’s strop.

What do you think?