Tuesday 3 November 2015

Hiding one's head in the sand.

I have really got so tired of seeing the News these days and reading the National Newspapers, that I feel like no longer reading or listening to any of the news.   All my life I have tried to take an interest in current affairs; if somewhere in the world is mentioned and I don't know where it is, I have a World Atlas by the side of my chair so that I can look it up instantly.   But suddenly I find every piece of news so appalling and I feel so helpless to do anything about it that I really no longer want to hear it.   Is this cowardly?   Should I listen although I can do nothing to help?   Should I put myself through the pain and sleepless nights after seeing refugees fleeing from war-torn countries, small children with real terror in their faces being carried in rickety boats across the Mediterranean Sea to land on islands where they are seen almost as a nuisance by everyone, where no-one really wants them in spite of their own countries being destroyed, their lives in ruins, their fear of death - or worse -?

And should I then read of the millions of pounds about which we know nothing - the football scandal, the huge sums of money paid to people like footballers (is anyone really worth £250,000 a week?), the bonuses paid in big business, the VW scandal?   Does any of it make sense to you?   Is it best ignored or should we listen and learn what we can - and still be helpless to do anything about it? Or should we put it out of our minds and go about minding our own business and no-one else's?  That's the dilemma.  

23 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

Sometimes it is all right to mind your own business. In fact mostly we have to put our heads down and just get on with it and enjoy what we have.

Heather said...

I couldn't agree more Pat. Newspapers are only interested in bad news. I think the best we can do is to focus on the good that people do (and try to do a bit of good ourselves) and settle down to making the most of the rest of our lives.

Terry and Linda said...

My Dad said I was a person who hid my head in the sand...I think it is a very good way to be.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Dawn said...

I dont get newspapers and watch only the local news, I find the news depressing and I am happy to get my head down and get on with my life, I catch snippets of news through the internet but choose to read only positive things, I cant change what is happening in the world so I dont get involved

Penny said...

I think as we get older it weighs on us more heavily, especially as we know we can do little to help

jinxxxygirl said...

Weaver first of all thank you for your kind words and stopping by my blog :) I always love it when you visit... Next... i don't think its ever a good thing to just stick our head in the sand... easier.. yes .. smart... maybe not... i think we should always be 'aware' of what goes on around us even if we cannot do anything about it...... Hugs! deb

A Heron's View said...

Pat, I am reminded of the provocative poem written by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about cowardice.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Because of those words I always try to speak out because change will only come about when the people Speak Out and make their demands clearly and loudly.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I've not watched tv news for almost 20 years now. I decided to take one year off and it has just gone on and on. Most, if not all, of the news on tv is simply reported for the sensational reaction- it is twisted and changed to fit the stations' desires. Fox news even won a lawsuit saying that they can make up lies and broadcast them as the truth - now THAT is disgusting. I get my news from more reliable sources than the tv - with each station giving a slant to the news that suits their need to gather viewers. I am not unaware of the events going on in our world - but I'm not blasted and saturated with sensationalism that is only meant to "entertain" and shock people - I have better things to do with my life. When I feel I can help change a situation I give donations to appropriately honest organizations (the Red Cross is NOT one of them - only 3% of their monies go to help in disasters) or I write letters to people that I think might listen - I do my part but I save myself from being horrified by stories that are sensationalized for effect, while still feeling sympathy for those in dire situations.

Elizabeth said...

Really tricky one - I do like to keep up with current events as you do but so much of the news is awful -and little attention is paid to those things that are going reasonably well - like most people in the developed world's lives.
Apparently extreme poverty has been reduced worldwide.
And we do now know more than ever before about far away places.
Even so the faces of child refugees haunt me.

We are just back from 9 splendid days in Italy where i did not see the papers of watch TV.
The food is very good there - as are the trains.
Maybe a media break is a good thing.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

A dilemma for sure. Sorry you are going through it.
I pulled back from news years ago. I read headlines, and stop reading articles I know will upset me because its like that once you look, you can't un-see it. I tried reading positive news, but even that can get to be too much. Its not anything new that many believe the news manipulates the public, especially politically. After Benghazi, I believe that was made very clear. Yet, so many still don't get it its scares me. It isn't just the bad events, its the stupidity people engage in to self medicate using their hopes and dreams to hide the truth.



Mac n' Janet said...

I quit watching or reading the news years ago. I can't change things, I've tried to through the years. Now I know that taking care of my family, keeping them healthy and happy is the best thing I can do. I can't save the world, just my little corner of it.

Cro Magnon said...

I think we should all be concerned; if we're not, then awful things will happen. The migrant crisis is much more important than most people think, but what the answer is I have no idea. The world is changing at an alarming rate; and not for the better.

Derek Faulkner said...

Pat,
Unfortunately I am the exact opposite of all your other friends that have commented, I simply cannot start the day without first reading my Daily TelegrapH and ending it by watching the news on TV.
I think that Elizabeth captured the contrast between how most of us go about our daily lives. She states that the faces of child refugees haunt her but then goes on to talk about her lovely holiday in Italy and how good the food was - we all feel sorry but we still keep taking our luxuries such as holidays abroad and full shopping trolleys.

Midmarsh John said...

I gave up regularly watching or listening to news a few years ago. It is so unbalanced these days with the emphasis on doom and gloom. Also there is so much speculation mixed in it is difficult to pick out the real facts. Then there are the so called experts dragged in to add their pennyworth. Bring back the days when there were proper factual news broadcasts and separate current affairs programmes for discussing things.

thelma said...

I suppose Cro's comment is nearest to my thinking. We have to face what is happening in the rest of the world. There is a terrible tragedy happening in Syria and the refugees need help desperately. I think the world historically has always changed through war and famine, it is up to all of us to think it through and vote through the legality of our own 'democracy' the best way to protect the Syrian people.

The History Anorak said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachel Phillips said...

This country made many of the current world troubles by interfering. The world would be a better place now if we had not thought we knew best.

Gwil W said...

I agree 100% with Rachel.

First we have to see that the holy Blair and his friend Junior Bush are had up for the illegal invasion of Iraq. This is where and when all this trouble began. We tried Saddam. Now let's try our own criminals. Let's get on with it.

The Weaver of Grass said...

In a strange sort of way your varied comments uplifted my spirit! Your views are so varied and yet somehow they all seek some sort of solution. I shall in future just watch the headlines of the national news I think. I cannot manage without a newspaper - I have read one all my adult life and now that I am less mobile I really need it more than ever. But I do take The Times which I think gives the most balanced view. (neither too left nor too right). I do fear for the future of my grandchildren but the future is in their hands. Heron's view, Rachel's view and Gwil's view are all food for thought. Cro and Thelma have also hit the nail on the head. Thank you all for your contributions - this is the kind of debate that makes blogging worthwhile.


Frugal in Derbyshire said...

Hi Weave.
I really wish I could cut off from it all but I do follow the news and get upset or angry or frustrated ( and occasionally happy)
I wish I was as sure as some about the reason for the world's troubles, but I don't have any answers.
Hello JoAnn - which "more reliable sources " do you mean? - A genuine question.
Gill

meigancam01 said...

Very interesting article.
Thanks for sharing with us.

Pondside said...

This is a hard one, Pat. I truly believe, however, that even if we feel that we can't effect huge change, we need to bear witness and do what we can, locally.
As I read your post and comment, I have the TV tuned to the swearing-in of our new Prime Minister and cabinet. It gives me heart to know that change is possible - that a new government was elected despite all predictions - that Canadians got out and voted. Small, on the global stage, but it is meaningful.

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

I've always said there should be a "C**V" tax payable on footballer wages to pay for university places for the underprivileged. Or these days, anyone frankly. I despise Uni fees as a tax on brains when there should be taxes on stupidity.