Yes. I'm ranting a lot. It may seem like I'm judging other people harshly. It is not my intent to sound preachy or judgmental.
What I hope to do is offer perspective on common habits of young Americans that I have repeatedly observed. I try not to form it as an attack because I genuinely hope they just haven't thought about it before... that is the optimist in me. I want to believe that at heart most people are good and want a better life. If I have missed a point, please feel free to share with me any motives or angles you feel I may have missed. But please, try and offer the same respect by not attacking. If you disagree, speak your defense reasonably. I welcome the discussion, not fights. I simply don't have the time or energy for petty internet quarrels.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Power of Words
Sticks and stones can break bones but some words truly have hurt people. There are a handful of words lurking in our verbal closets that have been shouted at people as they were beaten and killed for their association with those words. Some are so nefarious that they are known by their first letter only...
So why are they worn like a badge of honor by the upcoming generation?
It used to be that gay meant happy. Then it was applied towards homosexuals... then suddenly, it became hip to use it as if it were an insult... How did that devolve? Same for fag which used to be slang for a cigarette and faggot which was a "bundle of sticks". Once innocent words now used as insulting labels on other people. Young Americans throw these words at one another loudly and in jest but what they seem to forget is that those words may be empty to them but to others who have been beaten and abused in their name are being forced to relive fear and persecution for the sake of those "jokes".
Jokes are meant to be funny... to make people feel good. More and more our entertainment has become delighting as someone other than yourself suffers.
Personally, I can't help but look down on the person who is so low on creativity that they can't phrase a coherant strand of thought without summoning expletives and derogatory terms. They just seem poorly educated. One case in point that MANY people are guilty of is the word "gypsy". There is no race of humans called gypsies. They are either Rom, Roma or Romani depending on their location and heritage. The term Gypsy is a derogatory term used since long ago times. Most people don't even realize they are being insulting when using that word... they were just uneducated.
So this is a call to everyone to think before you speak. How might this word portray me? Is there another word I can use to express myself without insulting others and casting myself as an uneducated jerk?
So why are they worn like a badge of honor by the upcoming generation?
It used to be that gay meant happy. Then it was applied towards homosexuals... then suddenly, it became hip to use it as if it were an insult... How did that devolve? Same for fag which used to be slang for a cigarette and faggot which was a "bundle of sticks". Once innocent words now used as insulting labels on other people. Young Americans throw these words at one another loudly and in jest but what they seem to forget is that those words may be empty to them but to others who have been beaten and abused in their name are being forced to relive fear and persecution for the sake of those "jokes".
Jokes are meant to be funny... to make people feel good. More and more our entertainment has become delighting as someone other than yourself suffers.
Personally, I can't help but look down on the person who is so low on creativity that they can't phrase a coherant strand of thought without summoning expletives and derogatory terms. They just seem poorly educated. One case in point that MANY people are guilty of is the word "gypsy". There is no race of humans called gypsies. They are either Rom, Roma or Romani depending on their location and heritage. The term Gypsy is a derogatory term used since long ago times. Most people don't even realize they are being insulting when using that word... they were just uneducated.
So this is a call to everyone to think before you speak. How might this word portray me? Is there another word I can use to express myself without insulting others and casting myself as an uneducated jerk?
How Electronics killed Consideration
It never fails. When you board any public transportation, you are about 10 seconds from encountering disappointment in humanity.
There always seems to be at LEAST one individual who is playing music on his cell phone without headphones so loudly that you can hear it at the opposite end of the car. But why? Why would anyone be so blatantly inconsiderate? Do they really think that the whole train wants to hear their terrible music? While some mothers don't mind their small children listening to music about rape, murder, prostitution, drugs, alcohol and how much richer and skankier that artist is than you. some would prefer to skip that sort of influence. Also, many adults don't want to hear it either. If we did, surely we could manage to download it to our own phone or iPod and listen to it like a considerate individual with the use of headphones.
So why do they do it? Why omit the headphones? Why blast it in a crowded place? Why choose the most vulgar displays of the arts available? (cause lets be real, we're never hearing Beethoven blasted on the train) My only guess is they are trying to cast an impression of themselves as someone who doesn't care about anyone else, thus coming across as either a threat or somehow above the laws of society. At what point did that become desirable?
It doesn't stop with music either. Every since Nextel came on the scene, people seem to think that the entire train WANTS to hear their private conversations. On an almost daily basis I hear conversations about buying and selling drugs, cheating on girlfriends, one night stands, venereal diseases, crimes, family disputes, stealing from friends and family, break-ups, racism, homophobia, etc. At what point do they draw the line of public and private? Are they proud of the way they are portraying themselves? Or have we simply confused the reasons for tactical censorship?
Censorship can and often is bad. No question. I'm a huge fan of the right to free speech. But some things simply don't need to be public information. You have a right to privacy. But YOU are responsible for building and maintaining that sanctuary. We don't need to hear about your nasty bowel movements, or sexual conquests and failures. Your personal preferences in a romantic, political or religious way are not our business. Discussion of those topics is like a date. Both parties have to enter willingly for it to go well.
Now I know many people would ask why they should care what someone else thinks, wants, feels or believes. This is becoming more and more common of my generation and of the one following mine. You should care because sometimes you are the other person. Judgement, criticism and ambivalence can hurt. As long as we as individuals go around behaving as we wish without consideration for those around us, society will be an uncomfortable place to live in. We need to become cognisant of the impact of our actions. Our attitude toward ourselves and others shapes the experience of everyone.
Think for a moment about the internet. Scan a few profiles on myspace or facebook. Think of how people are portraying themselves. How often do you see people starting fights, harshly judging each other, creating false identities or otherwise acting like a fool? We have detached ourselves from humanity. People aren't real to us anymore. There are so many passing through our lives both digitally and in reality that they become insignificant to us.
At times we resent one another... like when several people showed up ahead of you and you have to wait in line or the train is crowded, etc.
It's true. Sometimes life, people, societies can be frustrating. How could anything so immense and complex ever be simple? ... the whole may not be easy but we are only responsible for one person's actions. Rather than resenting people or putting up a defense mechanism of digital fortresses and false personas, remember that your actions have an impact on those around you at home, work, or on the train. You have the power to make or ruin someone's day... So the real question is which one is it going to be?
There always seems to be at LEAST one individual who is playing music on his cell phone without headphones so loudly that you can hear it at the opposite end of the car. But why? Why would anyone be so blatantly inconsiderate? Do they really think that the whole train wants to hear their terrible music? While some mothers don't mind their small children listening to music about rape, murder, prostitution, drugs, alcohol and how much richer and skankier that artist is than you. some would prefer to skip that sort of influence. Also, many adults don't want to hear it either. If we did, surely we could manage to download it to our own phone or iPod and listen to it like a considerate individual with the use of headphones.
So why do they do it? Why omit the headphones? Why blast it in a crowded place? Why choose the most vulgar displays of the arts available? (cause lets be real, we're never hearing Beethoven blasted on the train) My only guess is they are trying to cast an impression of themselves as someone who doesn't care about anyone else, thus coming across as either a threat or somehow above the laws of society. At what point did that become desirable?
It doesn't stop with music either. Every since Nextel came on the scene, people seem to think that the entire train WANTS to hear their private conversations. On an almost daily basis I hear conversations about buying and selling drugs, cheating on girlfriends, one night stands, venereal diseases, crimes, family disputes, stealing from friends and family, break-ups, racism, homophobia, etc. At what point do they draw the line of public and private? Are they proud of the way they are portraying themselves? Or have we simply confused the reasons for tactical censorship?
Censorship can and often is bad. No question. I'm a huge fan of the right to free speech. But some things simply don't need to be public information. You have a right to privacy. But YOU are responsible for building and maintaining that sanctuary. We don't need to hear about your nasty bowel movements, or sexual conquests and failures. Your personal preferences in a romantic, political or religious way are not our business. Discussion of those topics is like a date. Both parties have to enter willingly for it to go well.
Now I know many people would ask why they should care what someone else thinks, wants, feels or believes. This is becoming more and more common of my generation and of the one following mine. You should care because sometimes you are the other person. Judgement, criticism and ambivalence can hurt. As long as we as individuals go around behaving as we wish without consideration for those around us, society will be an uncomfortable place to live in. We need to become cognisant of the impact of our actions. Our attitude toward ourselves and others shapes the experience of everyone.
Think for a moment about the internet. Scan a few profiles on myspace or facebook. Think of how people are portraying themselves. How often do you see people starting fights, harshly judging each other, creating false identities or otherwise acting like a fool? We have detached ourselves from humanity. People aren't real to us anymore. There are so many passing through our lives both digitally and in reality that they become insignificant to us.
At times we resent one another... like when several people showed up ahead of you and you have to wait in line or the train is crowded, etc.
It's true. Sometimes life, people, societies can be frustrating. How could anything so immense and complex ever be simple? ... the whole may not be easy but we are only responsible for one person's actions. Rather than resenting people or putting up a defense mechanism of digital fortresses and false personas, remember that your actions have an impact on those around you at home, work, or on the train. You have the power to make or ruin someone's day... So the real question is which one is it going to be?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Introductions and such
A little about me for those who may not know...
I'm a heavy thinker. Thought is my drug of choice. I love a good topic to chew on. My favorite subject? Societies... their customs, religions, superstitions, social perspectives, medias, etc. I like observing people. Truth be told I'm often disappointed by what I see but every once in awhile something gives me a glimmer of hope... a random act of kindness, humor, compassion, love...
Warnings about me...
My peeves are many. Lots of little things annoy me greatly. I get all worked up over it. I'm hoping this may be a healthy outlet for the frustrations I experience. But it may mean that there ends up being more rants than revelries. Feel free to call me on it though. Ideally this will be an open discussion area for people to discuss the various topics that grab my head and compel me to type.
Also, I tend to go all or nothing, so hopefully I don't lose steam on this.
I'm a heavy thinker. Thought is my drug of choice. I love a good topic to chew on. My favorite subject? Societies... their customs, religions, superstitions, social perspectives, medias, etc. I like observing people. Truth be told I'm often disappointed by what I see but every once in awhile something gives me a glimmer of hope... a random act of kindness, humor, compassion, love...
Warnings about me...
My peeves are many. Lots of little things annoy me greatly. I get all worked up over it. I'm hoping this may be a healthy outlet for the frustrations I experience. But it may mean that there ends up being more rants than revelries. Feel free to call me on it though. Ideally this will be an open discussion area for people to discuss the various topics that grab my head and compel me to type.
Also, I tend to go all or nothing, so hopefully I don't lose steam on this.
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