Yesterday was a fairly slow day at work. On most slow days, I surf over to my regularily visited pages, just to pass some time, or until something comes up. One of my most favourite sites, is a photojournalism site...
http://www.alertnet.org/
It's a humanitarian emergency site sponsored by Reuters. It has up to the second updates of crises that occur around the world.
You don't have to spend too much time on it to realize that humanity is in a sad state. You can forget about global warming. Many of the events you would read about are so deeply embedded into society and politics that it seems like such a dire situation. It can get depressing, as death is the main theme everyday.
I've always wondered, why do certain events get more coverage than others? Why does it seem like the country you were born in dictates how important you are to international eyes? Is the media really racist? Do WE really care about what goes on?
I don't want to belittle a certain event that occurred last week in the states that got (and is still getting) so much media coverage, but it proves my point. We'll hear about about 30 people who die in the states (which I feel is very tragic), but we'll never hear about 30000 who die overnight from famine or war. Does the media deem it less tragic? It sickens me. Some people think I don't care... Maybe it's just that I care too much.
But Neil, how do we fight the media?
I'm glad you asked.
1) Consider the source, check other sources (especially if your main source was CNN).
2) Consider the context of the event. Compare/contrast.
3) Make up your own informed decision about the event. Keeping in mind that there is bias in everything and that there is always another side to the story that is not being told.
Don't let the media shape your world view.
Many things have I learned this past school year. The most important things, though, were not gleaned in the classroom. What were these valuable lessons? Let's review:
Happiness is nobody's responsibility, except your own. Nor should it be based on other people. But other people sure do help! But perhaps, on a deeper level, when one is truly content with being themselves, when they're comfortable with being in their own skin even while around others, lacking complete self-consciousness, is one truly happy. And this type of happiness is the best kind, because it's infectious. It's almost as if these types of people are, in essence, through their body language and geniune interest in others, giving permission to those they interact with to be comfortable with themselves as well.
I will never understand women. Nor will I try to. They were not meant to be understood.
Further to the first item: Since the beginning of this year, I've always found a reason, everyday, to smile. Whenever I found things to be a bit of a drag, I would step back, and realize that things could be worse. A lot worse. And so I smile, despite the shitty times. I can't really say it poetically. So I will finish with a quote from a very good movie I watched recently... And if you know where it's from, let's hug."Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for... cookies. And, fortunately, when there aren't any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort, not to mention hospital gurneys and nose plugs, an uneaten Danish, soft-spoken secrets, and Fender Stratocasters, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange, but I also know that it just so happens to be true."
...can come from the most unexpected of sources.
"You're a great guy, Neil. You deserve to be happy."
Thanks Steve. I really appreciate it. And I believe you.
Can you see me smiling?
And if a certain someone would like to give me a chance to explain and hear me out, I'll be here. You know who you are...
It kinda stings, but I'm still happy~ Edit: It doesn't sting anymore. I'm very much over it. I'm leaving this photo here, because it's awesome. haha
... and still very happy!~
