The nonchalance with which the words, ‘during lockdown...’ or ‘during the third lockdown...’, or ‘then covid hit....’, roll of the vast majority of peoples tongues, like it was just a part of normal life, constantly astounds and angers me. I think, unfortunately, that most people live their entire lives in some sort of cartoon, a meme, mostly written and pre-packaged (for the consumer’s convenience) by the cabal of government, large corporations and media; doing, saying and thinking what they are told to, without question, thereby gaining meaning as part of something bigger. The more challenging and constantly difficult alternative is to always think for oneself, question, seek and create a world of one’s own significance.
Thanks Richard, your writing is helpful. I have been hoovering up any and all comparisons to previous crimes against humanity to try to understand my friends and family's role in this one. Just how much was I dehumanised in their eyes? Would this allow them to repeat the Rwandan Genocide? Can facts, figures, human kindness and common sense overcome mind bending cognitive dissonance and propaganda? So far, the best I can hope for is even an admission that 'theses are terrible times'. As it stands, my last communication on this topic to most family and friends was their full support of persecution, discrimination, division. They appear still completely blind to the deaths, injuries and related malevolence. Sadly, as your article suggests, it seems they would do it all again in a heartbeat to live a 'cartoonish normal life'.
Thanks Shane. It's going to be a long, slow process. Facts, figures, human kindness and common sense will only go so far. Introspection, and love, will be the keys.
Hi Jane, thanks for your comment. I expect Melbourne will feel very different for your neighbours when they get back here. All the problems you enunciate are the same here, and around the world. I don't know how we get out of this spiral. But, as they say, if something can't go on, it will stop, eventually. At least you won the cricket :)
The nonchalance with which the words, ‘during lockdown...’ or ‘during the third lockdown...’, or ‘then covid hit....’, roll of the vast majority of peoples tongues, like it was just a part of normal life, constantly astounds and angers me. I think, unfortunately, that most people live their entire lives in some sort of cartoon, a meme, mostly written and pre-packaged (for the consumer’s convenience) by the cabal of government, large corporations and media; doing, saying and thinking what they are told to, without question, thereby gaining meaning as part of something bigger. The more challenging and constantly difficult alternative is to always think for oneself, question, seek and create a world of one’s own significance.
Exactly! I hate 'during lockdown'. I've taken to interrupting and saying 'you mean house arrest'.
Same, I no longer let this revisionism slide.
Thanks Richard, your writing is helpful. I have been hoovering up any and all comparisons to previous crimes against humanity to try to understand my friends and family's role in this one. Just how much was I dehumanised in their eyes? Would this allow them to repeat the Rwandan Genocide? Can facts, figures, human kindness and common sense overcome mind bending cognitive dissonance and propaganda? So far, the best I can hope for is even an admission that 'theses are terrible times'. As it stands, my last communication on this topic to most family and friends was their full support of persecution, discrimination, division. They appear still completely blind to the deaths, injuries and related malevolence. Sadly, as your article suggests, it seems they would do it all again in a heartbeat to live a 'cartoonish normal life'.
Thanks Shane. It's going to be a long, slow process. Facts, figures, human kindness and common sense will only go so far. Introspection, and love, will be the keys.
Hi Jane, thanks for your comment. I expect Melbourne will feel very different for your neighbours when they get back here. All the problems you enunciate are the same here, and around the world. I don't know how we get out of this spiral. But, as they say, if something can't go on, it will stop, eventually. At least you won the cricket :)