Comments - Latest Popular Stories, Instablogs Community by Arjunm

Madhuri Katti

Madhuri Katti — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I agree, we all are becoming clones and repetitive. Quite similar to the world in which we are trapped where same violence and abuse is being repeated.

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?

Arjun

Arjun — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Madhuri, I don’t mean that the CJ’s are incompetent.

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.

Madhuri Katti

Madhuri Katti — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Arjun,

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?

Madhuri Katti

Madhuri Katti — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We live in a world which is becoming emotionally vacuous, so thats what comes accross in our writings as well.

Fake is real.

BTW I forgot to compliment you for this post. Good observations:)

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Brilliant, Arjun! Totally compelling. I wanna gnash my teeth and bash my head.

Arjun

Arjun — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hey Grace, I never expected such a highly emotional reaction. Thanks.

You really feels good when someone can really understand you.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Fariha Jamil

Fariha Jamil — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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...

Arjun

Arjun — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

FutureSpot

FutureSpot — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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...

Arjun

Arjun — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Ramesh Balam

Ramesh Balam — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

FutureSpot

FutureSpot — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Destitute Rebel

Destitute Rebel — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I’m already blase

Arjun

Arjun — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Nithya N

Nithya N — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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..

Nithya N

Nithya N — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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!

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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..

Arjun

Arjun — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Abhijit

Abhijit — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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!

Arjun

Arjun — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Abhishek Asthana

Abhishek Asthana — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

”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.

Aneez

Aneez — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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?

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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!

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

everyone* sorry.

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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..

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

*Do” you leaders... sorry (no sleep yet)

Aneez

Aneez — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

@ Grace

There ain’t no leaders nowadays. I suppose you are trying to ask about the politicians, aren’t you?

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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).

Aneez

Aneez — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Deepa

Deepa — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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?

Aneez

Aneez — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Deepa,

There’s a BIG difference between ’I’ and ’We’. :)

Deepa

Deepa — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Opps! Thanks Aneez for pointing my goof between I and WE :)

Deepa

Deepa — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Grace, here we cannot expect the government to protect us! They are just leeches who want to feed on our taxes without giving us anything back.

Yuriy

Yuriy — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

(В России же наши руководители сейчас просто не понимают зачем нам нужно самим делать компьютеры и телевизоры, если их можно купить на прибыль от нефтедобычи.

То есть, на словах то они понимают, но вот на деле... Прибыль от производства 5-10% (сверхприбылью и не пахнет), а мороки куда больше, чем с продажей ресурсов. Так что не знаю, сможет ли наше руководство преодолеть своё же мировоззрение, сформированное сырьевой экономикой, да и захочет ли (может, будет просто лень).Со воей стороны - я понял обращение ВВП так: ребята, чем бы вы тут в России, кроме добычи полезных ископаемых не занимались - у китайцев все будет лучше или во всяком случае охрененно дешевле.

Т.е. на устоявшихся рынках мы уже просрали по полной и примеров тому более, чем достаточно.Так примерно работает IBM - чуть рынок устоялся, опопсел - нах отттуда.)...

Все очень интересные мысли и разнообразные мнения, в группе онэксим все более вялое, самое интересное это читать советские газеты с карикатурами, особенно слои на под старыми обоями, машина времени да и только, никакое средство информации неспособно так передать дух времени, как советские газеты 20-30 годов, у меня другая идея соберу я свой кукольный театр и открою на ютуб клуб русских новаторов, материал свежий и жизнерадостный, желающие могут украсить картинку своими инновациями.

Arjun

Arjun — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hey Yuriy,

Thanks for such a long comment.

But even after using the google translator, I really don’t get the true message as the translated thing is not making sense to me.

Anyway I hope we continue to see more from you like that Georgia article comment, which was really penetrating and intelligent.

Michael C

Michael C — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Right on! People should do more analyzing and proposing and less thoughtless and emotional reacting if they want things to change.

Mikool

Arjun

Arjun — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hey thanks Micheal.

It is a sad time for us that when information has become so easily available, people are forgetting the art of thinking and analyzing.

Harun Lumiti

Harun Lumiti — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Arjun,

Reactions may appear to be ’borrowed’ owing to many writers’ limits of capacities in self-expression. I expect that in good time, and with fresh injections like yours, the ’borrowing’ ought to embolden a significant number who should then evolve their own style. Natural selection will take care of those who will not style up.

You say... ”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”... which seems contradictory. How would resolution be amicable without prevalence of ideas? I doubt, though, whether it is the business of blogs to resolve issues.

Arjun

Arjun — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Harun

BY saying that blogs have become a tool of infinitely duplicating of more prevalent idea, I meant that people have just stopped questioning things. We all just want to react. And that is really dangerous.

Blogs could have helped in resolving issues amicably as people in place of fighting would have interacted first. Because I believe that even a terrorist is a human, like me and you. It is just that we have shunted from hearing him, or we have failed in communicating with him.

The kind of conflict we see in Israel-Palestine, Georgia, or even in Kenya could be better addressed if people could interact with each other . And that is where blog could have proved to be a solution but has failed in becoming an one.