A combination of events have put into me this idea of no longer being apathetic about important issues.
The Federal Election, naturally, is one of those events.
But also, I've just watched Michael Moore's Sicko and Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth on two subsequent evenings.
It's stuck a fire under me and I feel more impassioned to do something about it.
Something else that's been highlighted for me is the varying levels of community in which we participate. The attempted meritocracy we live in; the culture of individualism and fear of the unknown, whether it be people, cultures or ideas; the idea that someone else will fix it or things will right themselves ... it's a recipe for disaster.
If things stay this way... on this track... then, really, we - and I mean you, me, our friends - will never make it to old age. We're going to die horrible deaths because we didn't try and fix things now.
How do we fix things now?
We need to vote for governments that will ensure we're properly provided for now and have a sufficient safeguard to carry us further in the future when we're old. We need to do it now to ensure our parents are provided for, too (because I'm sure as hell not going to do it).
We also need to work to stop that big ol' global warming thing. Even if you totally ignore the global warming bit, then at least realise that using fewer car trips, more efficient bulbs and organic foodstuffs will help make the air cleaner, your immediate vicinity safer and you're more likely to, in general, be healthier. And voting for a government that is focused on helping in this way, too, can't hurt.
I expect this fever to disappear tomorrow (well, today, as i'm about to go to sleep and its well past midnight) when I realise that I have 750 words to write about cyberanalytics; but at least a seed is sown.
The Federal Election, naturally, is one of those events.
But also, I've just watched Michael Moore's Sicko and Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth on two subsequent evenings.
It's stuck a fire under me and I feel more impassioned to do something about it.
Something else that's been highlighted for me is the varying levels of community in which we participate. The attempted meritocracy we live in; the culture of individualism and fear of the unknown, whether it be people, cultures or ideas; the idea that someone else will fix it or things will right themselves ... it's a recipe for disaster.
If things stay this way... on this track... then, really, we - and I mean you, me, our friends - will never make it to old age. We're going to die horrible deaths because we didn't try and fix things now.
How do we fix things now?
We need to vote for governments that will ensure we're properly provided for now and have a sufficient safeguard to carry us further in the future when we're old. We need to do it now to ensure our parents are provided for, too (because I'm sure as hell not going to do it).
We also need to work to stop that big ol' global warming thing. Even if you totally ignore the global warming bit, then at least realise that using fewer car trips, more efficient bulbs and organic foodstuffs will help make the air cleaner, your immediate vicinity safer and you're more likely to, in general, be healthier. And voting for a government that is focused on helping in this way, too, can't hurt.
I expect this fever to disappear tomorrow (well, today, as i'm about to go to sleep and its well past midnight) when I realise that I have 750 words to write about cyberanalytics; but at least a seed is sown.
VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
Goldfish said:Also:
Lexiphanic said: In this country we call it ...
Uh .. hypocrite says what?
Uh... I'm still right if I'm referring to anywhere apart from North America. And, usually, I am, aren't I?
I'm going with my original statement. When in Australia, Ketchup is Tomato Sauce, it's as simple as that. It's not patriotic, it's just the way things are. Go and tell a Chinese person that they're actually speaking 'Chinese,' and see how far it gets you.
My point is, and always has been: every time our world becomes globalised the corporate giants take a little bit more shine off the fantastic differences in cultures around the world. Every time you call it ketchup you're kissing the joy of travelling goodbye.
I'm hitting them where it hurts the best that I can. G.W.B. has already proven that losing an election means sweet F.A.. And what are our choices, really? The Greens aren't going to seize power (not without a coup, anyway) so our choices are Conservative A or Conservative B.
Wow, real option for change there!
Just because I don't chose to fight your way, doesn't mean I'm not fighting at all. I'm apathetic about the current system, not about change (REAL change that is).