I have questions. More every day as I observe what’s going on in our country and the world, and because I read and learn from minds far more intelligent than mine. So here are a few that have come up, which I hope you will ponder and then share your thoughts. Maybe together we can offer viable solutions, or at the very least, together feel a sense of community in a world rocked by divisions:
Hello. You are asking so many questions that I have asked. It gets overwhelming. I think fear is often at the root of hate and misunderstanding.
There used to be a newspaper full of good news, it was called Grit.
I'm not a writer so I don't have more to write to you but I can tell you that I wish I could talk to you. You seem like a lovely and compassionate person.
Never give up hope and belief in the good in all of us.
I believe there is one answer to all of your questions. We are animals. We can find all of our behaviors by observing animals. Our lowest and most basic animal instinct is survival. If we think our survival is being threatened we can become violent. We are territorial, wanting the best sources of food, water and shelter to survive. We will become violent to protect our territory or find better conditions for our survival. We fear the stranger who enters our territory and might challenge our survival so we fight to get rid of them whether they can be a benefit to us or not. We find that being communal helps our survival so we form families, clans, towns, cities and countries. We need rules to live together successfully handed down by an alpha leader, religion or government. As we know power corrupts. At our core we remain animals. Leaders who prey our our basic fears for survival can stir animal behavior. We see it all around us. Our intelligence can function to solve the problems we face but we constantly struggle against those acting as fearful animals. We would like to think of ourselves as superior to animals. But sadly, the basic struggles for survival persist.
thank you for writing a number of the same questions that have also bothered me. My short and incomplete answer is that violence and ugly incidents sell papers..and now contribute to the digital copy available 24/7.
I was recently castigated for making a blanket statement involving the media by someone retired from an affiliate loosely associated under that broad umbrella.
I don’t remember how long ago the simple reports that I grew up hearing became competitive editorial attempts to increase readership. I think it started when tag teams of men and women started delivering sound bytes alternately apparently to break the possibility of a monotonous delivery, thus maintaining attention of the audience.
Fast forward to the election drumbeat prior to 2016, when mudslinging was revved up and name calling was on every media platform. Now even earnest candidates running for speaker of the house cower when derisive comments are posted for all to see. That’s how the insurrection was called forth. I know it wasn’t a last minute plan and coverage as well as dog whistle posts on media platforms set the action into play.
So the short answer is that I believe our heavy reliance on constant commentary and what I’ll loosely call analysis dissecting each and every unfortunate or purposeful hiccup is in serious need of reform. Of course, I have no idea how that can happen or how long it will take to achieve. I imagine there will be pushback from networks because sponsorship/sensationalism equals ratings.
We are doing our part for love and peace and everyone be nice ...In our communities, our circles, our work places...everyday folks smile and care in my town. Your town too, I’m sure. I’ve No answers but I think it’s how we cope in this overwhelming, scary time. Great questions to make us think and feel! Thank you.
I think the State Department is supposed to be our Department of Peace because it is supposed to pursue diplomacy rather than war to resolve disputes. However, it has been defunded and hollowed out under Trump, and has not yet been rebuilt.
Of course, it never really has been honestly always in pursuit of peaceful solutions, but it is a tool for that purpose.
I just wrote you a long response, and then looked for a way to e-mail you so it would not get posted to your page here. It disappeared! Meaning, of course, that it was not meant to be posted, since I mentioned the person who I believe is responsible for 99% of the divisiveness in American society today!
But I will again type a small part of what I said to you: In the movie (and play) of South Pacific, there was a song that said, "children have to be carefully taught how to hate," (paraphrased) but those words are as true today and they were in the 1950's. Sadly, peer pressure can override good parenting!
It's been said many times, but our public airways, the "media" and the so-called "social media," are feeding the flames of hatred by glorifying the violence in on-line gaming and in America's love affair with guns, especially assault weapons for non-military use! And what's on TV that is called "entertainment," like all the crime dramas, and even on PBS, many murder mysteries from the BBC.
I've said it before to you, Ginni, I'm glad I'm on my way out now at age 83. It's mind-boggling how our world has changed. I feel badly for our young people who will have to find ways to control the venom and vitriol that is present in every corner of the world! (I believe in the power of prayer--which helps relieve my anxiety.) And thank you for asking us to contemplate those important questions.
Thank you so much! You know, we are living in really trying times, Ginni. I've never been so worried about our country, and our world. And my dearest friends say they can't listen to, let alone talk about, the situations we face. This is why I subscribe to some substack writers (Robert Reich and Robert Hubble and Jessica but not Heather--she has a million paid followers!). I do thank you for your kindness. BTW, I turn off my computer around noon each day. And I'm seriously trying NOT to comment since here on the west coast, I'm often the 500th person to post a comment--so now I'm just listening. I do like Chop Wood, Carry Water, as she is amazing and tells us what legislation is pending etc., which i find very helpful. See what I do? I just go on and on.....it's because i live alone, and my cat doesn't talk back!
Ginni, these are great questions, to which I see no concrete answers. At the end of the day, I truly do believe that love is the answer. However, control, power, fear... they are the prevalent energy of the moment. They inhabit culture, religion, education, teaching more fear and hate.
To me, the only solution is to maintain my own inner peace, to wish well for those I encounter, and to pray love and peace for every sentient being.
Thanks, Deborah. I hoped my questions will offer an opportunity for us to ponder what we each can do. I agree with you that self-care, holding good wishes for others, and praying for love and peace are important ways we can all make a difference.
Hello. You are asking so many questions that I have asked. It gets overwhelming. I think fear is often at the root of hate and misunderstanding.
There used to be a newspaper full of good news, it was called Grit.
I'm not a writer so I don't have more to write to you but I can tell you that I wish I could talk to you. You seem like a lovely and compassionate person.
Never give up hope and belief in the good in all of us.
Where is Grit when we need it?
I believe there is one answer to all of your questions. We are animals. We can find all of our behaviors by observing animals. Our lowest and most basic animal instinct is survival. If we think our survival is being threatened we can become violent. We are territorial, wanting the best sources of food, water and shelter to survive. We will become violent to protect our territory or find better conditions for our survival. We fear the stranger who enters our territory and might challenge our survival so we fight to get rid of them whether they can be a benefit to us or not. We find that being communal helps our survival so we form families, clans, towns, cities and countries. We need rules to live together successfully handed down by an alpha leader, religion or government. As we know power corrupts. At our core we remain animals. Leaders who prey our our basic fears for survival can stir animal behavior. We see it all around us. Our intelligence can function to solve the problems we face but we constantly struggle against those acting as fearful animals. We would like to think of ourselves as superior to animals. But sadly, the basic struggles for survival persist.
Astute observation.
Ginni,
thank you for writing a number of the same questions that have also bothered me. My short and incomplete answer is that violence and ugly incidents sell papers..and now contribute to the digital copy available 24/7.
I was recently castigated for making a blanket statement involving the media by someone retired from an affiliate loosely associated under that broad umbrella.
I don’t remember how long ago the simple reports that I grew up hearing became competitive editorial attempts to increase readership. I think it started when tag teams of men and women started delivering sound bytes alternately apparently to break the possibility of a monotonous delivery, thus maintaining attention of the audience.
Fast forward to the election drumbeat prior to 2016, when mudslinging was revved up and name calling was on every media platform. Now even earnest candidates running for speaker of the house cower when derisive comments are posted for all to see. That’s how the insurrection was called forth. I know it wasn’t a last minute plan and coverage as well as dog whistle posts on media platforms set the action into play.
So the short answer is that I believe our heavy reliance on constant commentary and what I’ll loosely call analysis dissecting each and every unfortunate or purposeful hiccup is in serious need of reform. Of course, I have no idea how that can happen or how long it will take to achieve. I imagine there will be pushback from networks because sponsorship/sensationalism equals ratings.
Chris Cressey
Good points.
Really great questions and things to think abou on how to change and show up.
Thanks for sharing
Leslie
We are doing our part for love and peace and everyone be nice ...In our communities, our circles, our work places...everyday folks smile and care in my town. Your town too, I’m sure. I’ve No answers but I think it’s how we cope in this overwhelming, scary time. Great questions to make us think and feel! Thank you.
Thank you, Joan. Kudos for doing your part, and how fortunate to live in a community where folks smile and care.
I think the State Department is supposed to be our Department of Peace because it is supposed to pursue diplomacy rather than war to resolve disputes. However, it has been defunded and hollowed out under Trump, and has not yet been rebuilt.
Of course, it never really has been honestly always in pursuit of peaceful solutions, but it is a tool for that purpose.
It’s sad to think what was designed for peace morphed into something else.
I too have questions but unfortunately no answers but love the thought provoking questions you posed!
I just wrote you a long response, and then looked for a way to e-mail you so it would not get posted to your page here. It disappeared! Meaning, of course, that it was not meant to be posted, since I mentioned the person who I believe is responsible for 99% of the divisiveness in American society today!
But I will again type a small part of what I said to you: In the movie (and play) of South Pacific, there was a song that said, "children have to be carefully taught how to hate," (paraphrased) but those words are as true today and they were in the 1950's. Sadly, peer pressure can override good parenting!
It's been said many times, but our public airways, the "media" and the so-called "social media," are feeding the flames of hatred by glorifying the violence in on-line gaming and in America's love affair with guns, especially assault weapons for non-military use! And what's on TV that is called "entertainment," like all the crime dramas, and even on PBS, many murder mysteries from the BBC.
I've said it before to you, Ginni, I'm glad I'm on my way out now at age 83. It's mind-boggling how our world has changed. I feel badly for our young people who will have to find ways to control the venom and vitriol that is present in every corner of the world! (I believe in the power of prayer--which helps relieve my anxiety.) And thank you for asking us to contemplate those important questions.
Thank you for your thoughtful response, Catherine. Knowing you’re on a fixed income, I am comping you a free year so you may keep on reading.
Thank you so much! You know, we are living in really trying times, Ginni. I've never been so worried about our country, and our world. And my dearest friends say they can't listen to, let alone talk about, the situations we face. This is why I subscribe to some substack writers (Robert Reich and Robert Hubble and Jessica but not Heather--she has a million paid followers!). I do thank you for your kindness. BTW, I turn off my computer around noon each day. And I'm seriously trying NOT to comment since here on the west coast, I'm often the 500th person to post a comment--so now I'm just listening. I do like Chop Wood, Carry Water, as she is amazing and tells us what legislation is pending etc., which i find very helpful. See what I do? I just go on and on.....it's because i live alone, and my cat doesn't talk back!
Ginni, these are great questions, to which I see no concrete answers. At the end of the day, I truly do believe that love is the answer. However, control, power, fear... they are the prevalent energy of the moment. They inhabit culture, religion, education, teaching more fear and hate.
To me, the only solution is to maintain my own inner peace, to wish well for those I encounter, and to pray love and peace for every sentient being.
Always remember your own mortality.
Thanks, Deborah. I hoped my questions will offer an opportunity for us to ponder what we each can do. I agree with you that self-care, holding good wishes for others, and praying for love and peace are important ways we can all make a difference.