Where is the Light?

There once was a light that held hope.  It shined down on a slender path.  I followed it through hills and deserts, and it guided me across waters and over mountains. On one such mountain, I slipped on a pebble and fell over a cliff into a deep crevice.

It was absolute darkness.  I wandered my way around in the dark trying to locate the light once more. Instead, I came upon other people in the darkness, and I asked them, "Where is the light?"  They pointed to a screen that had moving images. It appeared to be as light...but it was false.  It gave messages to help point people in a direction.  It spoke, "Buy, Consume, Borrow, Take."

The false light spread over into all avenues.  It was in reading materials, on the side of buildings, inside buildings, on the side of moving vehicles, on giant signs found along pathways, and it even evolved into sound.  I heard the message sent across invisible airwaves - "Fifty percent off if you buy now." It was consistent with it's inspiration, with its definition of hope.  "Fill the void, buy more."

I stopped wandering, and stood confused.  I cried out for the hope I once felt.  I cried out for the light that once guided me through darkness.  I began to search for it, asking everyone, "Where is the light of hope?" Everyone pointed to the electronic screen.  No one really knew the way, even those that claimed to know. They gave incorrect direction because they were distracted by the false light.

It was always right out of my reach. It was always right out of their reach.  We were consumed by the darkness of the crevice, though I continue to seek out the light.  Perhaps you could show me the way to the light?