The five question meme....
"Anyway, it is called the five question meme. One requests of another blogger who has already been 'interviewed', in the comments section of that post, that one be interviewed. Said blogger then posts five questions for you, also in the comments section of the aforementioned post. You then answer them on your own blog. Here goes." (from http://squirtinginoz.blogspot.com/)
Now it's my turn...
1)What issue, be it news related, politics, personal, whatever, is currently occupying most of your headspace?
I guess the answer would have to be "human greed". As Xavier Rudd wisely said "Human beings are dangerous, their greed is contagious". There are so many people in this world who spend so much of their time furrowing their brows and grasping and hoarding. I feel for those people because until you let go of all that stuff, you have no hope of enjoying the simple pleasures in life, the sun and moon and stars in the sky, good food, good company, good chat. I feel for the rest of us too, those that try to live our lives with compassion for those around us, with a vision that looks a little bit further than our next "fast buck". I was going to say that they drag us down but I don't think they do, ours is ours, theirs is their own. However, I do think that they make the world a harder place to live in. Let's face it, if everybody made sure they looked out for the people around them, nobody would actually have to worry about themselves - they'd have 10 people doing it for them!
2)How do you feel about it?
I guess I feel sad and resentful but at the same time, quite resigned. You cannot tell people what to do, you can only hope to change them by showing them a better way with your own actions and words. I will walk my path and welcome anyone that wants to walk with me. After all, there is only one thing better than marvelling in the simple pleasures of life - sharing those pleasures with other people who appreciate them!
3)Do you see resolution, and how?
Not really, whilst there are many people in this world who, in the words of Max Ehrmann "...strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism", we seem to spiral deeper and deeper into a cycle of violence, greed, mistrust and hatred. At this stage, I think we need a dramatic shift in our thinking and attitude to the world around us in order to jump start the changes we need. Having said that, we are making progress in some areas, the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza this week is a very good example of the human willingness to find compromise, despite overwhelming odds to the contrary. The "how" is the big question - we need something that makes all of us (or at least most of us) sit up and say "Shit, this is it, we have to do something and we have to do it now"
4)Who throws a shoe?
There are many reasons why you would throw a shoe. Without a full and frank discussion on why the shoe is being propelled, it is very difficult to ascertain the start point of its trajectory and, indeed, it's landing site. If I had to hazard a guess, based on urban mythology, I would say "A man woken by feline caterwauling in the small hours of Monday morning."
5)What fucker said that?!
He was here a minute ago but he just disappeared. I suspect he's gone to throw his shoe at someones head and steal all their money. Perhaps banning shoes is the answer? If he didn't have any shoes to throw, would the world be a better place? Or would the greedy people simply find new and effective (read: cost efficient) ways of throwing socks? I think this is worth exploring...thoughts please....
Now it's my turn...
1)What issue, be it news related, politics, personal, whatever, is currently occupying most of your headspace?
I guess the answer would have to be "human greed". As Xavier Rudd wisely said "Human beings are dangerous, their greed is contagious". There are so many people in this world who spend so much of their time furrowing their brows and grasping and hoarding. I feel for those people because until you let go of all that stuff, you have no hope of enjoying the simple pleasures in life, the sun and moon and stars in the sky, good food, good company, good chat. I feel for the rest of us too, those that try to live our lives with compassion for those around us, with a vision that looks a little bit further than our next "fast buck". I was going to say that they drag us down but I don't think they do, ours is ours, theirs is their own. However, I do think that they make the world a harder place to live in. Let's face it, if everybody made sure they looked out for the people around them, nobody would actually have to worry about themselves - they'd have 10 people doing it for them!
2)How do you feel about it?
I guess I feel sad and resentful but at the same time, quite resigned. You cannot tell people what to do, you can only hope to change them by showing them a better way with your own actions and words. I will walk my path and welcome anyone that wants to walk with me. After all, there is only one thing better than marvelling in the simple pleasures of life - sharing those pleasures with other people who appreciate them!
3)Do you see resolution, and how?
Not really, whilst there are many people in this world who, in the words of Max Ehrmann "...strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism", we seem to spiral deeper and deeper into a cycle of violence, greed, mistrust and hatred. At this stage, I think we need a dramatic shift in our thinking and attitude to the world around us in order to jump start the changes we need. Having said that, we are making progress in some areas, the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza this week is a very good example of the human willingness to find compromise, despite overwhelming odds to the contrary. The "how" is the big question - we need something that makes all of us (or at least most of us) sit up and say "Shit, this is it, we have to do something and we have to do it now"
4)Who throws a shoe?
There are many reasons why you would throw a shoe. Without a full and frank discussion on why the shoe is being propelled, it is very difficult to ascertain the start point of its trajectory and, indeed, it's landing site. If I had to hazard a guess, based on urban mythology, I would say "A man woken by feline caterwauling in the small hours of Monday morning."
5)What fucker said that?!
He was here a minute ago but he just disappeared. I suspect he's gone to throw his shoe at someones head and steal all their money. Perhaps banning shoes is the answer? If he didn't have any shoes to throw, would the world be a better place? Or would the greedy people simply find new and effective (read: cost efficient) ways of throwing socks? I think this is worth exploring...thoughts please....
4 Comments:
Well put Bro, a very eloquently answered 5 questions.
One thing,
"we seem to spiral deeper and deeper into a cycle of violence, greed, mistrust and hatred."
One hears many things to the effect. Is it really? Is the world really getting worse? I'm not so convinced. I think it may just be due to a broadening of experience. Also due to the media. Even five years ago, let alone ten, fifteen, twenty, we were less well informed of global events than we are today, and the media has a power over us today that, I believe, it has never before had. I also believe that the general media view of the world is quite bleak. That is, after all, what sells.
Anyway, as I say, that's just my opinion, which I am more than ready to accept is complete and utter shit. I just don't like it that so many people are running around talking like we're heading for hell on earth, as I, ever the optimist, do not believe that.
Love you Bro xxx
Me again Bro, hit me up with some juicy questions, Baby!
I think you're right, it's not as bleak as that excerpt sounds on its own but violence (be it obvious or subtle) does beget violence.
Let me give you an example...
There's a guy that lives in one of the flats that runs alongside our house. Every morning at about 7:30, he goes out to his car (a crappy Ford Probe) and proceeds to do what sounds like a 15 point turn in the side road, over revving the engine the whole time while his silly big fat exhaust vibrates in such a way that it shakes my whole bedroom.
Now, I'm pretty tolerant about this, I don't go rushing out there, I've never had a pop at him, I try not to get stressed about it, 7:30 isn't that early after all!
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut...
...when I started mowing the lawn at 10am on Sunday, I did ferevently hope that he was still in bed, I did grin with glee thinking of him trying to sleep with all that racket going on.
OK, so it's not violence in the traditional sense of the word but anybody who has read Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett will know that evil and corruption and violence can be spread in very subtle ways...c.f. M25 London Orbital Motorway...c.f. Mobile Phones.
Anyway...questions...hmmm...OK...
1) What is the greatest gift you can give to somebody?
2) What is the number one thing to teach your children?
3) Why are we here?
4) Where do we go?
5) How come it's so hard?
:)
Sorry, those last three are stupid...for those that don't know, it's a line from a Jack Johnson song:
Love is the answer to most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here and where do we go and how come it's so hard?
Proper questions:
3) If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would you choose?
4) Why?
5) If there is a beginning, there is an end. Discuss...
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