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Emotionally Vacuous Reactions
Made Popular Aug 5 2008
The blogs have bought a kind of an information revolution with anybody having an iota of interest becoming a Citizen Journalist. But in some ways revolution hasn’t been for good. Before you pull the trigger and tag me as a Luddite allow me to give my arguments.
In last few days going through various blogs by Indians I have found that everybody has condemned the terrorist attacks; as they should have. But the surprising or appalling part has been that the most of criticism was in the same tone and having similar keywords. Like terrorist, blood-thirsty, un-human, fear, security, Muslims, politics, intelligence, corruption, etc.
And most of them had blamed without even knowing how or who has done it. It was more like reading same things again and again with some paraphrasing. Over that it all gave one a feeling that writer is just writing for the sake of writing and you are reading for the sake of reading. There is no emotional attachment; but of course full of similar larger-than-life words; giving you a feel that words may have meaning but no connection; and which have after repeated usage are no more significant than a passing remark.
Maybe it also coming in our culture in some way; the thing we call the city returned to normalcy and failed the terrorist intentions. I am not against recovering from a loss, but at least one should feel a loss. The next day to any terrorist attacks every city looks as if nothing has happened apart from troubling policemen who are further choking the traffic. The local trains are again full after Mumbai bomb blasts, the shopping mania continues after Delhi bomb blasts; the life is same everywhere until and unless your own dear one is one of the victims.
I don’t know why but nobody even tries to ask or answer why terrorist does such acts, as if it doesn’t matter. By having such attitude we may be failing terrorists’ intentions but we are for sure failing the humanity.
When blogomania came it was thought that people would be able to resolve far more amicably by interacting; but it doesn’t look the case. Blogs have become a tool of infinitely duplicating of more prevalent idea.
The end of history and the last man, an idea but forward by Francis Fukuyama, may support liberalism but not one where everybody becomes a kind of clone, and stops thinking for oneself. I really hope it doesn’t lead us back to the time when it became necessary to convert right to speak into a privilege, which had to be won.
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Brilliant, Arjun! Totally compelling. I wanna gnash my teeth and bash my head.
(Global Perspectives)
Hey Grace, I never expected such a highly emotional reaction. Thanks.
You really feels good when someone can really understand you.
You really feels good when someone can really understand you.
(Local Perspectives)
Over here, we kinda eat bomb blasts for breakfast sometimes.
And it;s infuriating how the reactionaries just pay lip service and do nothing else.
A blase society is so ridiculous for its inability to learn lessons.
And it;s infuriating how the reactionaries just pay lip service and do nothing else.
A blase society is so ridiculous for its inability to learn lessons.
(Global Perspectives)
Arjun great piece.
But tel me man, wat can we ordinary ple do practically?
Say even if we write in an innovative way and an insight, will it make a difference?
I dont know...
But tel me man, wat can we ordinary ple do practically?
Say even if we write in an innovative way and an insight, will it make a difference?
I dont know...
(Global Perspectives)
We ordinary people, according to me, should do what we believe is right.
If somebody feels that writing is a just a way of posting everything that is happening around without feeling the pain. s/he should do so. But s/he should be able to justify it him/herself.
Making a difference is a difficult question. I really don’t know what making a difference is, because I don’t know what is regular or normal.
But I do know that writing can only be done if you believe in that from heart. Without that writing is just something scribed.
All that is my personal opinion, and I prefer to write what i feel, not what I am supposed to.
If somebody feels that writing is a just a way of posting everything that is happening around without feeling the pain. s/he should do so. But s/he should be able to justify it him/herself.
Making a difference is a difficult question. I really don’t know what making a difference is, because I don’t know what is regular or normal.
But I do know that writing can only be done if you believe in that from heart. Without that writing is just something scribed.
All that is my personal opinion, and I prefer to write what i feel, not what I am supposed to.
(Local Perspectives)
Insightful piece...cheers.
Regarding ”what can ordinary people do”, here are some thoughts regarding how to effectively add to an important conversation / topic...
- Be clear to yourself whether your response is a ’fan’ response or a ’plan’ response.
- If you want to say ’me too, I love / hate that....’, you are probably a fan of the conversation or of the author or of the topic etc and so it’s important to recognize that your response may not move the discussion forward. To be fair, it may help to build momentum amongst like-minded people, and that is very important, but an over abundance of similar ’me too, I love / hate...’ responses becomes noise pretty quick. Maybe there are better ways to separate fan from plan, but that is for another topic...
- If, on the other hand, you want to say something like ’good/bad point, also consider X and take a look at Y’ or ’building/stepping-back from Z, consider the perspective of...’, then you probably have a plan or at least some actionable ideas on where to go from here. Though these can also introduce noise to the conversation, there may be a greater chance of useful points to help the conversation progress and thus help it to get to where it’s heading. These days, helping things stay on topic is a good thing.
- Use your voice and energy to support those who have a plan. It’s still good to hang out with other fans, but choose wisely where / how you add to a conversation if you really are interested in conveying what you feel and helping to move forward what you feel is right.
Cheers again...
Regarding ”what can ordinary people do”, here are some thoughts regarding how to effectively add to an important conversation / topic...
- Be clear to yourself whether your response is a ’fan’ response or a ’plan’ response.
- If you want to say ’me too, I love / hate that....’, you are probably a fan of the conversation or of the author or of the topic etc and so it’s important to recognize that your response may not move the discussion forward. To be fair, it may help to build momentum amongst like-minded people, and that is very important, but an over abundance of similar ’me too, I love / hate...’ responses becomes noise pretty quick. Maybe there are better ways to separate fan from plan, but that is for another topic...
- If, on the other hand, you want to say something like ’good/bad point, also consider X and take a look at Y’ or ’building/stepping-back from Z, consider the perspective of...’, then you probably have a plan or at least some actionable ideas on where to go from here. Though these can also introduce noise to the conversation, there may be a greater chance of useful points to help the conversation progress and thus help it to get to where it’s heading. These days, helping things stay on topic is a good thing.
- Use your voice and energy to support those who have a plan. It’s still good to hang out with other fans, but choose wisely where / how you add to a conversation if you really are interested in conveying what you feel and helping to move forward what you feel is right.
Cheers again...
(Global Perspectives)
hey nice suggestions...
We could really help ourselves from having mob mentality, where things are done more on the basis of being told what is fashionable.
We could really help ourselves from having mob mentality, where things are done more on the basis of being told what is fashionable.
(Local Perspectives)
From a disagreement, to a non co-operation, to protest, to strike, to demonstrate, to agitate, ......to terrorise is a gradual process.
People adopt these methods to achieve their goal. The degree and intensity increases on the basis of certain factors.
What can we do? Well for the beginners, I may say that much of it because of the insensitivity of the government or ruling machinery. We may engage them in dialogue at the appropriate level through passion and care.
People adopt these methods to achieve their goal. The degree and intensity increases on the basis of certain factors.
What can we do? Well for the beginners, I may say that much of it because of the insensitivity of the government or ruling machinery. We may engage them in dialogue at the appropriate level through passion and care.
(Local Perspectives)
Ramesh, good perspective.
Can you give a specific example? For instance, can you describe a specific scenario (e.g. an example of one such appropriate level) and in what form you would engage them in order to make a difference? I ask this because it sounds like you may have done this already and your particular / practical experiences may be interesting.
Can you give a specific example? For instance, can you describe a specific scenario (e.g. an example of one such appropriate level) and in what form you would engage them in order to make a difference? I ask this because it sounds like you may have done this already and your particular / practical experiences may be interesting.
(Global Perspectives)
Great piece Arjun, in todays day and age, our opinions are forged by the media and what our opinions should be is decided by whoever controls the media, we are becoming more and more dependent on other people’s thoughts to make ours, that is the reason we have started writing about things the way we are told subconsciously to write them.
(Global Perspectives)
The (sad) fact is that changes in recent decades have made us increasingly ”immune” to the most different types of tragedy. The egocentrism and individuality have never been stronger in the history of mankind.
Neither Francis Fukuyama, nor Samuel Huntington Phillips managed to understand this new world order. There is a new type of human being doing its own history and unfortunately I have the impression that this new generation will become increasingly blasé.
Neither Francis Fukuyama, nor Samuel Huntington Phillips managed to understand this new world order. There is a new type of human being doing its own history and unfortunately I have the impression that this new generation will become increasingly blasé.
(Global Perspectives)
I disagree.
The new generation, like earlier generation, can never become blase. Because life has so much to offer.
On the contrary I fear that they may become too stereotypical, without ever trying to find or understand themselves.
We all are blase for something or the other at one time, and there is nothing wrong with it. But problem can arise if we try to be too much attached with something. Because then we can’t have a fair or neutral perspective.
I may sound contradictory, but my main intention in righting that article was that we are just following things blindly. That is not being blase, but that is also not being human.
Anyway i just don’t buy this Huntington guy. I believe he is a just a big propaganda guy.
The new generation, like earlier generation, can never become blase. Because life has so much to offer.
On the contrary I fear that they may become too stereotypical, without ever trying to find or understand themselves.
We all are blase for something or the other at one time, and there is nothing wrong with it. But problem can arise if we try to be too much attached with something. Because then we can’t have a fair or neutral perspective.
I may sound contradictory, but my main intention in righting that article was that we are just following things blindly. That is not being blase, but that is also not being human.
Anyway i just don’t buy this Huntington guy. I believe he is a just a big propaganda guy.
(Local Perspectives)
Wow I am thoroughly impressed with the point that you’re trying to get across. The writers lack ‘emotion’ only because they are not the ones who have suffered! Only the families that lost their loved ones during the blasts will know the meaning of heartache. For the writers or TV reporters this is just regular news, so the way they write is going to be in the same old insensitive manner. They are only concerned with providing us information about the series of events. I guess that’s all that matters to most of the readers too, so that’s what we get.
(Local Perspectives)
They don’t just provide info anymore Nithya, they manufacture news.. They fabricate. They make it more market-worthy by printing and airing heart rending and disturbing pictures of dead children and people. It is a business. So..
(Local Perspectives)
Even after the blasts, the malls and the trains were packed because most of us have become selfish and insensitive. People mourn only when it’s personal, otherwise its just regular news for them. It’s sad that most of us have become like this!
(Local Perspectives)
When the blasts happened in Bangalore, I went for a drink with my friends myself.. I am insensitive too, I at least accept. And I found many in the pub too. If there was nobody on the streets it was because they were scared of dying. No one cares..
(Local Perspectives)
But Jaiyant,
at least you didn’t wear the mask of hypocrisy of having crocodile’s tears. It’s bad and there are too many bad things happening every second, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t live our lives. But that also doesn’t mean that while laughing we say poor chaps.
Indifference is another issue, hypocrisy another.
at least you didn’t wear the mask of hypocrisy of having crocodile’s tears. It’s bad and there are too many bad things happening every second, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t live our lives. But that also doesn’t mean that while laughing we say poor chaps.
Indifference is another issue, hypocrisy another.
(Local Perspectives)
Arjun,
your observation is no wrong. However,in this age of information revolution, people usually react homogeneously. To think independently one needs to allow more time for oneself and a bit of research. I think the Bloggers attempt to pour their minds instantly and hence so much self-similarity in the bulk of writings.
The ’sake of writing’ or the ’sake of reading’is, however, can be no lesser engagement that may purify your soul. Just wait, revolution (of writing things, I mean) is on the way, more beautiful things will emerge!
your observation is no wrong. However,in this age of information revolution, people usually react homogeneously. To think independently one needs to allow more time for oneself and a bit of research. I think the Bloggers attempt to pour their minds instantly and hence so much self-similarity in the bulk of writings.
The ’sake of writing’ or the ’sake of reading’is, however, can be no lesser engagement that may purify your soul. Just wait, revolution (of writing things, I mean) is on the way, more beautiful things will emerge!
(Local Perspectives)
I too hope so. But I worry that blogs can lose the power of having trust, if they don’t revolutionize faster.
My main fear is that again we may be forced to give power in selected hands who should guide or inform us. And then we may enter in to a cycle, which will turn into a vicious one.
My main fear is that again we may be forced to give power in selected hands who should guide or inform us. And then we may enter in to a cycle, which will turn into a vicious one.
(Local Perspectives)
A relevant point well made.
Excellent is the word Arjun!
But to look at the positive side there are original, heart felt blogs also and we can find our way to them. So at least we get to do that because of blogging.
”I really hope it doesn’t lead us back to the time when it became necessary to convert right to speak into a privilege, which had to be won.”
Now that is heart felt and therefore compelling.
Excellent is the word Arjun!
But to look at the positive side there are original, heart felt blogs also and we can find our way to them. So at least we get to do that because of blogging.
”I really hope it doesn’t lead us back to the time when it became necessary to convert right to speak into a privilege, which had to be won.”
Now that is heart felt and therefore compelling.
(Local Perspectives)
”There is no emotional attachment; but of course full of similar larger-than-life words”
Exactly.. We don’t feel anymore.. We are all desensitized.. We don’t want to feel sorry for anyone.. It is like saying ’sorry’ when you don’t mean to.. Blaming bloggers is ok.. But look at the mainstream media! They get paid for it and they work full time.. Do you think any of those media guys on NDTV or CNN or wherever give a damn about what is happening? All they want is their ratings to increase and probably become some kind of a celebrity themselves.. It is in us.. We are all insensitive. We become insensitive because the barrage of sympathy inducing information is too much to handle for the tiny human heart.
Exactly.. We don’t feel anymore.. We are all desensitized.. We don’t want to feel sorry for anyone.. It is like saying ’sorry’ when you don’t mean to.. Blaming bloggers is ok.. But look at the mainstream media! They get paid for it and they work full time.. Do you think any of those media guys on NDTV or CNN or wherever give a damn about what is happening? All they want is their ratings to increase and probably become some kind of a celebrity themselves.. It is in us.. We are all insensitive. We become insensitive because the barrage of sympathy inducing information is too much to handle for the tiny human heart.
(Local Perspectives)
The whole argument finally comes to a standstill and the three words echo in our ears and our hearts - Do we care? Yes, with an interrogation mark.
And what Arjun is trying to highlight here is the need to enter a new world that lies beyond that question mark. It is upto us people- whether we want to cross the border or stay cozily at this side and ask this question infinite times. Do we care?
And what Arjun is trying to highlight here is the need to enter a new world that lies beyond that question mark. It is upto us people- whether we want to cross the border or stay cozily at this side and ask this question infinite times. Do we care?
(Local Perspectives)
This must be the most refreshing comment I have read all this week! Hope every starts saying ’I care’ and make an attempt.. Then the blogosphere would be brimming with excellent ideas and result in greater and efficient networking with the right people and the possibilities are endless! Yes! We care!
(Local Perspectives)
You know something.. it is also not the coziness that stops us from making venturing into the unknown world of caring.. Sometimes it is pure apathy. Whatever it is, it is a nice feeling.. the caring feeling..
(Local Perspectives)
Where is your government in the ’caring’ scale?
Does your leaders panic as much as you do, or not as much as you don’t?
Your indifference is only directly proportional to your government that is supposed to protect you.
Does your leaders panic as much as you do, or not as much as you don’t?
Your indifference is only directly proportional to your government that is supposed to protect you.
(Global Perspectives)
@ Grace
There ain’t no leaders nowadays. I suppose you are trying to ask about the politicians, aren’t you?
There ain’t no leaders nowadays. I suppose you are trying to ask about the politicians, aren’t you?
(Local Perspectives)
That’s right. Politicians are sworn to leadership position and are mandated to lead (and sway popular sentiment since they hog the spotlight and garner considerable media).
(Global Perspectives)
Well, as far as the politicos are concerned, they are busy with their personal agenda of securing a seat in the next elections. It doesn’t matter which party, they want a seat to sit in the parliament for the next five years.
Hence, it is upto us people ultimately.
Hence, it is upto us people ultimately.
(Local Perspectives)
Aneez you summed it up very well and in the most simplest words! But even if we care, can one person’s concern actually make a difference?
(Local Perspectives)
Hi Deepa,
There’s a BIG difference between ’I’ and ’We’. :)
There’s a BIG difference between ’I’ and ’We’. :)
(Local Perspectives)
But I disagree about quality of discussions on blogs and cjs. CJs by definition are not qualifed journalists or reporters. So everyone finds their own groups to brainstorm, condemn and interact. Maybe it all looks directionless, shallow and meaningless repetition but what else can an insignificant hardworking citizen do?
My only intention while writing the piece was that many times we just write for the sake of writing.
And even a professional journalist can have the same problem; which is evident on every news channel in India.
Of course one finds a group, and that is the beauty of internet but I still believe that we should not join a group so that we can speak without really believing in what we say.
I totally agree we just use serious issues and write for the sake of writing without emotionally connecting.
For any media these days only readership, viewership, circulation and popularity chart matters.
I got a feeling you expect something more from blog world.
Why do you expect blogging and social networking groups to go a step further and dive a bit deeper into issues and act as an cataylst?
Fake is real.
BTW I forgot to compliment you for this post. Good observations:)