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E-mailMade Popular Aug 4 2008
I have been blamed for what others see as shallowness and a certain careless attitude about others. Once a friend and I decided to walk to a certain place and as we walked along, the conversation veered towards why some people just don’t care. It isn’t easy to not miss that bombing somewhere and the fundamentalism around the block. But we don’t care. We claim to care, and we talk and we argue and form our opinions and modify our stances.
However, behind all these opinions and non-opinions, there lies the truth. The cold, heartless indifference to what happens to others and us. Probably behind all our wars, conflicts and hatred, there is also an utter disregard to violence itself. Probably we make wars without even caring to understand. Probably behind the political decisions and sanctions against nations, governments don’t really care what happens to those concerned and what the outcomes of those sanctions would be. Probably the shrink that prescribes Haldol or Olanzapine is just trying to reach home soon to make love to his wife.
Probably when I say I feel sorry for those who die violently for senseless reasons, a certain disregard is hidden behind the concern. So what makes us believe we care? What makes us think our opinions are important? Is complete disregard to human misery the ultimate truth? Or are we just too overwhelmed by all that happens around us and we are limited by our human state? These are some ideas that are infinitely scary when you realize that the man who sells candies and the man who pushes countries to wars are just human, like you, and like me. And nobody really cares to know if they are really concerned or just uttering empty words. Coming back to my uneventful walk, the friend and I ended up punching each other for something I don’t remember. I returned home with a broken lip and a black eye. And I didn’t care if I was right or wrong. It just felt normal, and human.
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You know what you’re actually saying, Jaiyant? You are saying that beyond all the disputes about politics and religiosity, our real problem is that we have forgotten to be human.
Yes we have.. Isn’t being human all about genuinely caring and being empathic? I guess the demand for our empathy is so much that we unconsciously numb ourselves out. Which of course is really unfortunate....
Well, we’re only human. LOL Isn’t that a good old excuse? :0:0
We can only cry and sweat a limited number of gallons of liquid. Hehe...
We can only cry and sweat a limited number of gallons of liquid. Hehe...
He he.. If only we knew we can’t be supernatural.. Maybe we would have all been nicer people.. If only we knew that life is short and that we not gonna be around forever, we would have genuinely cared.. But as you say the limited number of gallons of sweat isn’t enough serve the mankind.. Too bad
Another reading:
We have not only forgotten to be human but also forgotten how to feel.
Desensitized. Jaded. Blase.
I hope that doesn’t happen to us who chronicle life by writing about it! LOL
We have not only forgotten to be human but also forgotten how to feel.
Desensitized. Jaded. Blase.
I hope that doesn’t happen to us who chronicle life by writing about it! LOL
It is about not caring after knowing everything. Because you know or you feel you can’t make much difference to what is happening around you. When you feel helpless to situations, you don’t care.. Instead you appear cold and jaded. And you would be jaded too...
INDIFFERENCE due to helplessness anyway.
I think, that would be depend on what kind of society one finds himself in.
Or maybe, this is more an attitude in urban areas, more than non-urban.
I can imagine that this can be prevalent in, say, New York, as we have stories about such indifference happening there.
But I believe that this is also a stereotype. But then again, maybe because I come from a society where indifference is not very high.
I think, that would be depend on what kind of society one finds himself in.
Or maybe, this is more an attitude in urban areas, more than non-urban.
I can imagine that this can be prevalent in, say, New York, as we have stories about such indifference happening there.
But I believe that this is also a stereotype. But then again, maybe because I come from a society where indifference is not very high.
Why should we care? Are we related? Do I know you? Are you my family? Are you from my home town? Are you from my country? Are we in the same continent?
Even if you are: Are you my responsibility? Did I born you? Do I owe you anything?
Please get out of my way— let me see the road.
That is the reason why we drag the beggars and mad men off the street when ”big men” are visiting.
I don’t know about you- but I just want to be a big man. That is the only care I have.
You can stay there and be feeling things. The world moves on.................................................................................................................
Even if you are: Are you my responsibility? Did I born you? Do I owe you anything?
Please get out of my way— let me see the road.
That is the reason why we drag the beggars and mad men off the street when ”big men” are visiting.
I don’t know about you- but I just want to be a big man. That is the only care I have.
You can stay there and be feeling things. The world moves on.................................................................................................................
If you were serious (though you’re not, i know), then you cut a very KARMIC figure.
Did I born you? You must ask your other parent to pay up too! Lol Yr so right man
The world moves on Rudolf but people get stuck in a certain moment and they stay there.. They don’t move on.. If they did, they would care for those that are not in that moment.
The world moves on Rudolf but people get stuck in a certain moment and they stay there.. They don’t move on.. If they did, they would care for those that are not in that moment.
Very well said Jaiyant. And the real irony lies in the fact that we are so much pre-occupied with the thoughts of defending our egos that we don’t pay much attention to our broken lips and black eyes, let alone the pain and agony of others.
Isn’t it strange? We hurt ourselves and that doesn’t bother us either... Like the one that promises us to lead us through the path that leads us to ’HIM’ and in the process hurting himself with all the scorn and contempt they invite.. Because it feels so good to stay in a cocoon.
Jaiyant, it doesn’t feel good to stay in a cocoon. It’s claustrophobic!
The one who knows what lies beyond certainly enjoys the warmth and comfort a cocoon provides... The one who die to know what he saw in that land of beyond certainly love feeling claustrophobic in his cocoon
What surprises me is that we even show sympathy because we have to.. We don’t really care but we are expected to be sympathetic to certain issues and oh yes so we are!
Like saying we miss our soldiers when we don’t know them.. It is just a fleeting emotion..
Like saying we miss our soldiers when we don’t know them.. It is just a fleeting emotion..
In the Phils. we call this ”consuelo de bobo.” It’s consolation for consolation’s sake and/or out of expected courtesy.
And that is exactly when people become cold.. When empathy or sympathy is expressed because it is expected, it is like a cold stone. Lifeless. A hungry pet would be warmer and more real...
Ok, I follow your logic there. But I can be more Machiavellian than you. :)
Err.. Grace you didn’t know? He doesn’t just look benevolent.. He is benevolence personified.. More benevolent than Father Benedict at school
@ Grace
I care for you!
I care for you!
You do? Really! Wow!
Thanks.
Maraming salamat sa iyo, Aneez. Sa iyong napakagandang kalooban.
Thanks.
Maraming salamat sa iyo, Aneez. Sa iyong napakagandang kalooban.
Maraming salamat sa iyo sounds like take care of yourself.. Is tat correct?
Walang anuman, Grace!
Don’t beat me if I got it wrong but I do care for you, though I could not help but suspect your intentions while sailing thru that Alpha number.
Don’t beat me if I got it wrong but I do care for you, though I could not help but suspect your intentions while sailing thru that Alpha number.
LOL
You care for me enough to read through it that far!
Ok, you have made me believe that you really care for me.
:0
You care for me enough to read through it that far!
Ok, you have made me believe that you really care for me.
:0
And I thought I would never get this acceptance. LOL
Once upon a time I had a friend from philippines. Her name was Jodie, she was a very good soul, though a bit disturbed with her life. Its been two years we have not met, but I still have her on my Y! messenger.
If you meet her somewhere, give her my regards. And tell her that I still miss her and care for her.
Once upon a time I had a friend from philippines. Her name was Jodie, she was a very good soul, though a bit disturbed with her life. Its been two years we have not met, but I still have her on my Y! messenger.
If you meet her somewhere, give her my regards. And tell her that I still miss her and care for her.
Am I surprised? No, I don’t think so. And I’m glad I don’t have to divide attention. So for now, Philippines = Grace for me.
BTW, why Grace??
BTW, why Grace??
LOL Aneez! I happen to be in Singapore right now. So, does the equation change?
HOPE NOT! HOPE NOT! HOPE NOT!
What do you mean why? Oh, why I said I certainly won’t? Looks like someone was suspecting something else from somebody else’s sashay through the Alpha number!
:0:0
HOPE NOT! HOPE NOT! HOPE NOT!
What do you mean why? Oh, why I said I certainly won’t? Looks like someone was suspecting something else from somebody else’s sashay through the Alpha number!
:0:0
No Grace, the equation doesn’t change :)
Infact, this brings Singapore to my Hotlist too ;)
Infact, this brings Singapore to my Hotlist too ;)
Thanks Grace.
You know I was in the kitchen preparing food when my sis clicked that one :)
You know I was in the kitchen preparing food when my sis clicked that one :)
Oops.. Typed in the wrong place... There you go:
Err.. Grace you didn’t know? He doesn’t just look benevolent.. He is benevolence personified.. More benevolent than Father Benedict at school
Err.. Grace you didn’t know? He doesn’t just look benevolent.. He is benevolence personified.. More benevolent than Father Benedict at school
It was actually a nice sandwich you were looking at?
Great! ;)
Really, you look very much different in this pic of yours. I was so used seeing you in the first one you posted. I almost didn’t recognize you here.
Great! ;)
Really, you look very much different in this pic of yours. I was so used seeing you in the first one you posted. I almost didn’t recognize you here.
Oh really?!
I’m glad you liked the new pic.
BTW, I change my looks frequently, so be prepared for a new look very soon. However, its just the outward appearance that changes, so there’s nothing to worry. ;)
I’m glad you liked the new pic.
BTW, I change my looks frequently, so be prepared for a new look very soon. However, its just the outward appearance that changes, so there’s nothing to worry. ;)
Reality hits home only when it hits you. And even then everyone might react to it differently. But I disagree that we have forgotten ’how to be human.’ Every thing that humans do, think, feel is human. Just that circumstantial growth of individuals differs and take its own course.
But a scary thought nonetheless that every one is human and thus susceptible to human weaknesses.
But a scary thought nonetheless that every one is human and thus susceptible to human weaknesses.
Hey Abhishek, thanks for writing.. When I say we have forgotten how to be human, I don’t mean it in the literal sense.. Let me give you an example.. Genuine love and dutiful love. Dutiful love is mechanical. Not human enough
Though easy as it sounds, For some people, to say ’I don’t care’ requires a lot of effort. Religious people find it immensely difficult to not care about dogma.. And atheists find it difficult to not care about certain good things about religions.. However, most of us are neither 100% atheists nor religious. Agnostic beliefs are the core of the I-Don’t-Care attitude... Sometimes not caring can solve a lot of problems.. Especially when it comes to atheism and theism..
Jaiyant,
I liked this post. Especially the pictures.
I personally feel modern world is making us more sensitive only towards self and family, while desensisting us towards rest of the world. Like I said elsewhere be it religion or modern life, they tell you to seek peace and pleasure for only SELF, the rest world can go on a war or carry on with its spin.
I may be wrong. But thats what I see around me. Thats what probably I am turning into as well...modern life is making everyone insecure and hence we are forced to focus only on protecting the self.
I liked this post. Especially the pictures.
I personally feel modern world is making us more sensitive only towards self and family, while desensisting us towards rest of the world. Like I said elsewhere be it religion or modern life, they tell you to seek peace and pleasure for only SELF, the rest world can go on a war or carry on with its spin.
I may be wrong. But thats what I see around me. Thats what probably I am turning into as well...modern life is making everyone insecure and hence we are forced to focus only on protecting the self.
I got the spelling of ’desensitising’ wrong above...
:)
:)
Life has always been the same Madhuri.. People were just as bad in the pre-modern societies... Slavery existed in the pre-modern societies. And that was when evangelism was at it’s peak. I would add to your vies and say religion and society and modern life teaches us to seek peace and pleasure for only self.. I’m so glad you liked the post.. And yes you are right.. Now we have more reasons to be insecure than in the past.. We have the nukes, global terrorism, global warming, AIDS, rising fuel prices etc to worry about..
Grace,
What do you mean, ”you cut a very KARMIC figure?” I hope you are not cursing me.
What do you mean, ”you cut a very KARMIC figure?” I hope you are not cursing me.
Humanity doesn’t exist anymore. It is a strange word, completely alien to us. And anyone with even a pinch of humanity is viewed much the same way. Or worse, as fake.
To be human is to be constantly self-centered and self-indulgent. Perhaps, this is neo-humanity.
To be human is to be constantly self-centered and self-indulgent. Perhaps, this is neo-humanity.
Humanity is everywhere Jayshree.. But people don’t want to see it. Or don’t want to accept it. Humanity means hard work. Nobody wants to work hard. It is like watching a crappy programme on TV because you are too lazy to pick up the remote.. Or you just don’t care anymore and continue to watch the programme..
I guess you’re right about humanity being hard work. And people not caring anymore. I can’t make up my mind whether to agree with you or not. I’m not sure anymore. Or maybe, I just don’t care anymore..
And you mean to say we should!
Human is a very heavy-duty word that you have used here Jaiyant
When you are human you are allowed all the emotions...
but it’s onely when you turn into stones...like some ppl we know....do you have only ONE emotion...insensitivity!
When you are human you are allowed all the emotions...
but it’s onely when you turn into stones...like some ppl we know....do you have only ONE emotion...insensitivity!
Radhika you really hit the right spot! It is because we are emotional do we still call ourselves human! And we cease to be human when we don’t react, when don’t feel joy or pain, when we don’t hate or love, when we don’t get angry or anything else. In the above discussion I spoke about how we as humans have become desensitized to the human suffering. Death tolls have remained just that.. Statistics. A mere tsk tsk when you hear something awful happening to someone.. Is it that the suffering is beyond our perception now or is it that we just don’t care anymore because we have all become hard and desensitized to suffering? A few thoughts that linger....
Thru your comments...Jay i can only conclude that more often than not we both tend to agree on most issues...
i’m glad to know that like minded ppl exist on this forum giving hope that many ppl think like us :)
hopefully thru the power of words we will be able to make a difference...
after all every bit counts...
Cheers mate!!!!
i’m glad to know that like minded ppl exist on this forum giving hope that many ppl think like us :)
hopefully thru the power of words we will be able to make a difference...
after all every bit counts...
Cheers mate!!!!
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This IS fresh!
Let me take a minute to digest this and mull over the thoughts.
This is all at once breezy and heady!