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| The importance of the individual in society |
| 01.20.05 (7:49 pm) [edit] |
|
Seeing as I haven't updated this blog in over 2 months, I would be surprised if anyone still read this. In many ways, that is inspiring to me right now. I obviously haven't felt like writing in a while, nor have I had the time, but I do miss expressing my thoughts, however scattered and misdirected they may be. To be honest, I have paid scant attention to anything remotely political over the last couple months, and I have to admit that it is likely a good thing. While I do feel that it is possibly important and at least noble to concern yourself with what goes on in your society, in the world, and what shapes your future, it can also be a bit tedious and can lead to a narrow-sighted view of life. If all I am concerned with is politics, it becomes an obsession, and all activities are rated based on this filtered view. News programs and articles have a tendency to distort the true realities of the world, not necessarily by use of misleading facts, but by tainting all stories with certain mindsets- whether it is a liberal bias, conservative bias, or simply the bias of seasoned news reporters who assume a certain standard ideology, which is the most likely, all we receive is a [i]report[/i] of events. All we can hope for, then, is to gain an understanding, however limited, of world events. What would be better, however, would be to truly comprehend the suffering, pain, and aguish; the joy, compassion, and prosperity- all the realities faced in the world. No matter how much time we devote to discussions over the state of world affairs, no matter how many debates we have over abortion rights, reality cannot be experienced and truth cannot be determined by political discussions alone. Reading the newspaper every day of your life will cause you to feel perplexed, often hopeless, and undoubtedly involved in the quibbles and nuances of political dramas, of the murders, thefts, and abuses. Avoiding news stories at all costs will allow you to focus on life, on reality, however limited a reality that may be. While it may be a bit frivolous in some respects, if you were to disregard all that is considered newsworthy on a daily basis, you would develop a mindset in which simplicity prevails. Unconcerned with world (or even national and perhaps local) events, your own life and the interactions with those around you would take center stage. Then you could understand reality. However, though this simplicity may be an attractive alternative to being constantly inundated with news, most of which is bad, I believe most of us have a genuine concern for humanity and foster a desire to change the world for the better. I just think that it is important to keep things in perspective. In the days immediately following the presidential election, I was truly upset. How could such a horrible president as George W. Bush actually win re-election? But, as time went on, it didn't seem to matter that much. Sure, it still sucks that he is the President, but there isn't anything I can do about it. The best way to overcome a disappointment is not to let it overcome you, but to overcome it and prepare to fight the fight once more. Every Thursday, a kid I work with comes in to get his check cashed. We have to charge one cent to cash employee checks. Apparently, to protest the President, you are not supposed to spend any money on the day of his Inauguration. So, this kid, who just turned 17 and couldn't even vote in November, refused to get his check cashed today because he didn't want to spend any money -- not even a penny. As silly as it may sound, this gives me hope. It doesn't matter how grandiose our actions are, so long as they mean something to us. And if others are made aware of them and perhaps inspired, that's great too. If you're wondering, as I admit I am, what my point in all this is, well, let me state it simply. What matters to you is all that matters. What you choose to pay attention to is what is important to you. And how you shape your actions in response to your ideas is what determines the outcome for humanity, good or bad. I'll admit that I'd like to change the world for the better, but I know that this starts on the individual level. We as individuals control the outcome of our lives. It is in our interactions that we shape our societies, our world. Now, I can't tell you how to live your life or how to create positive interactions, but as long as you don't try and tell me how, I believe we're one step closer. |
posted by: therealspartacus007 (reply)
post date: 01.20.05 (7:05 pm)
Wow, when I saw that your blog was updated I assumed I misread my feed, but here it is! lol ;)
Those are some good thoughts. Sometimes I get depressed when I think that I can't really affect things how I want. But I guess you're right. Sort of like the people who stood out in the freezing cold for hours and hours to cast their vote even though they already knew the outcome.
posted by: RedTigress (reply)
post date: 01.20.05 (7:43 pm)
Don't worry. I still check for updates.
very interesting post. I see you've done a lot of thinking. I found it feels a lot better to center your life around loved ones rather than the day's bad news.
I do think, however, that that little spending custom that obviously immature child had was rather petty. If everyone did that, then the economy would go down for sure. And of course everyone would blame President X whom they didn't like for that outcome.
In any case, it's nice to see you back once more.
posted by: James (reply)
post date: 01.21.05 (7:43 am)
So most of humanity cares about helping change the world for the better....except George Bush.
Your blog is great reading, though, because it adequately chronicles how obsessed you are with yourself.
Chin up, though-- you've only got 4 more years and then all will be better. Your days of oppression are numbered!
posted by: DragonBait22 (reply)
post date: 01.21.05 (9:27 am)
Reply to: James
How touching. Even after 2 months of inactivity, my number one fan still checks my blog. Awww.
And still, after all this time, you seem to be incapable of comprehending what seems to be a direct enough message. The only point in this that I mentioned Bush was to point out the hope I found in a kid's determination and genuine concern for something greater than himself. I never said George Bush doesn't care about changing the world for the better- I'm sure, in his misguided ways, he does indeed desire to help make the world a better place.
Obsessed with myself? Maybe in a way. I am introspective and I do like to write out my thoughts so I can figure out exactly what it is I believe in and exactly who I am. I think it's important for everyone to examine their own thoughts and ideas. Other than that, I'm not sure what you're talking about.
To be pessimistic for a moment, I don't for a second believe all will be better in four years. Regardless of who takes Dubya's place, his unseemly idealogies will only be replaced by a different set of ideologies that will likely be just as controlling, even if there is a stark contrast- which is doubtful. But it does little good to whine about oppression or injustice, when what really matters is how you choose to live in a world full of such things. That's the only point I was trying to make. Take it as you will.
posted by: Gonzosc1 (reply)
post date: 01.23.05 (11:18 am)
Dragonbait22, whats up? I too have not been around in awhile, A long while..I jumped on with some time to spend so I also updated my Blog.
Thought I would pop up here and see what you were writing about and me being myself Must throw a small monkey wrench in to make people think,LOL
Quote "we as individuals control the outcome of our lives"
or do we?
individual= self, with a fair amount of control.
society= many selfs still thinking as individuals with almost no control.
groups will panic and make moves that are not well thought out. we see it everyday
where as an individual is free at hand to make a clear line from point A to point B.
It would be nice to see society= "self" as one, but that kind of revelation would be of little use to the ever exploring mind of humans. there's always the "what if"
factor that is born in us. as individuals with so many different "what if's" could we ever realize the true "self' or one society???????? I don't think so...
your thoughts;;;;;;;;;;;;
posted by: juniperflux (reply)
post date: 01.26.05 (3:46 pm)
As someone who hasn't updated her own blog in a similarly shameful amount of time, I certainly will not scold you for your long absence, but will only say that your (triumphant) return is most gratifying. :) The world is full of pundits, my friend... but only a few really have anything worth saying.
Having said that...
Your post touched on many of the same issues that I have been struggling with lately myself. The election is a wound that hasn't quite healed yet, but as time goes on, I'm also finding that it's a wound that "looked much worse than it was." Even though I was fairly certain what the outcome would be, I hated the way things turned out. However, just as you said, in the long run, there are far more important things for me, and the rest of the world, to worry about.
A friend of mine and I had a similar conversation lately in which we compared the entire situation to "trickle down economics." You are probably not old enough to remember the Reagan years in which were all promised that if the rich got richer, eventually, all that wealth would "trickle down" to the poor. We're still waiting. Anyway, my point is that we can't depend on the government to be agents of positive change in the world and in our lives. Just like the economic benefits that were supposed to flow downhill and enrich our lives, similar waves of hope, prosperity, altruism and honesty are not going to come crashing through our doors no matter who is in office. It's up to us to be the change.
In the long run, I believe it's not only more gratifying, but also in some ways more important to look at the world in the micro rather than the macro. Not only is change much less daunting from that angle, but it's also far more likely to succeed.
Honestly, I think I've known this all along, but it's nice to hear someone else kick around the same ideas.
Again... good to have you back ~ if only momentarily.
posted by: DragonBait22 (reply)
post date: 01.26.05 (4:23 pm)
Reply to: juniperflux
Juniper, I've missed you so. :)
First off, let me just say that after taking an economics exam just moments ago, your mentioning life in terms of micro and macro really made me want to scream. ;)
Seriously though, you're right when you say that it's up to us to be the change. And I think (hope) that once that is realized, all our petty differences can fall away. Though I find politics and often pointless exchanges of rheteric oddly fascinating and engaging, I can't help but think that we constantly complicate things when they're really quite simple. Maybe I should make it my goal to simplify the dialog of politics.... hmmmm....
Actually, I think one of the main attractions of political discussions for me is the opportunity to challenge others' ideas, as well as to have my own challenged. I honestly believe that most everyone is concerned with shaping the world positively, but many go about this in misdirected ways. I suppose that's why people who believe abortion is morally wrong feel that, in order to make the world better, abortions should be illegal, without considering the possibility that forcefully imposing their views on others is actually detrimental to society. Perhaps that could be the subject of my next blog- then again, I'm afraid the abortion debate has been waged more than enough times.
posted by: juniperflux (reply)
post date: 01.26.05 (4:44 pm)
Reply to: DragonBait22
The abortion debate just makes me tired. For so many it is simply a zero sum proposition, and no amount of debate is going to change their minds. This is when the earlier part of your post really comes into play. It's not until placed in positions in which they must face the situations that necessitate abortions will they ever be able to open their minds to the possibility that having the choice to decide for yourself is the most healthy option.
Of course, my favorite "prolifers" are the ones who blow up the abortion clinics and kill abortion doctors.... but that's a horse of a different color.
j
posted by: mblog (reply)
post date: 02.01.05 (3:27 pm)
Reply to: RedTigress
Having a one day boycott or protest or anything else will do nothing to hurt the economy. If people make up for the spending the next day, then monthly or quarterly profits will be unchanged.
What hurts the economy is telling people at the start of your campaign that you see a recession coming, even when there are no economic indicators to support the notion. Then your supporters, and even many who do not support you, will curb their spending. They need to save for a rainy day, and if there's a chance they may lose their jobs, then it's best not to spend too much. This lack of spending will cause a real recession, and then the new president's supporters will blame the previous president and say that it happened on his watch. They will ignore the fact that overall, the economy under that president was remarkably strong, and the recession was not a minor shortcoming of the new president, but a liability that lasted his entire first term. There are still fewer private sector jobs, and the stock market is still lower than the peak before the recession hit. Nothing got turned around or changed.
To say that some kid protesting the President this way will hurt the economy is naive. To say that the words of a president who got nearly half the vote were not influential enough to affect those very same voters is also naive.
If you are going to blame somebody for taking specific actions to cause a recession, you should blame somebody who really did cause a recession. It's even worse if he did nothing to fix it.
