A week ago I went to The Greats exhibition, which I really enjoyed. There was this painting, which is actually a maiden lamenting over a dead sparrow,and which back in the 1700's everyone would have understood signified her loss of virginity...yes, no need to discuss the weirdness of that. However, for me, it summed up my feeling pretty much every time I read something on the internet that reflects the shortcomings of the society we live in. People that blame the mother for taking her baby to the beach instead of being horrified some random guy would try to kidnap it, people that feel hard done by about losing their rights to rape women on private property, people that feel overwhelmed to the point of affront that someone wants to put in a unisex toilet and the list goes on, and on, and on, in a swamp of deranged anger and discontent of monumental proportions.
I've been offline a little more this week, by coincidence, and felt happier for it. I think I used to be unaware of the hateful society out there, of the angry people that pounce in judgement on every little news story. It just wasn't on my radar and never cropped up in conversations.
I think I preferred living in ignorance.
I've no solution to either drowning out the sea of angry voices, nor actually turning the ideological idiocy but I do get a wry smile every time I think of this lady, who I now mentally stamp on each post I scroll past in disgust and disappointment.
Linking with #FYBF & #UltimateRabbitHole
Hahahaha, excellent. That expressin is perfect for every bigoted moron on the net.
ReplyDeleteI read about Jordan coming out transitioned on Junkee and at first all the comments were informed, and I was proud of society for a change, but then of course the ignorant bigots had to throw their 2 cents in...and I stamped this woman on it in my head (actually I tried to point out their intellectual deficiencies, but you know, for what good that does)
DeleteI love living in ignorance. Which is why the news is not allowed on in our house. I know, I know ... I should be more aware ... but I figure if it's important enough I'll hear it on Facebook or blogging or something. Then I can choose whether or not to read it. The news is relentless ... does my head in. Ignorance is actually bliss.
ReplyDeleteThe news itself isn't my problem, it's all the jackasses out their that spew their deranged hate in response to it...
DeletePerfect! I'm going to do the same. I much prefer to live in ignorance also. I think I've become more emotional and sensitive since becoming a mum and there's much on the news that I just can't bear hearing about it. I know it's not good to put your head in the sand all of the time though ..
ReplyDeleteas above, I'm good with the news itself, but I get very tempted to argue with every hateful idiot out there, and that is swimming in a sea of swill and going nowhere fast.
DeleteThat image is now imprinted in my brain! Lol!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I just need to turn the news off as there is often at least one idiot, who wants a reaction and I'm not giving it to them, trying to cause chaos
ReplyDeleteI've tried to avoid the news in recent years, as a lot of it upsets me and there's nothing I can do about most of it. I also really dislike all the negative commentary and criticism of people for the most inane and innocent things. For goodness sake - enough already! By the way, I love the painting - so weird about the dead sparrow analogy :-/
ReplyDeleteI am also in the ignorance camp. I treat all that stuff on social media the same way I've always treated the celebrity gossip and most of the sport section - no interest whatsover - don't care how loud and ignorant the voices are.
ReplyDeleteIt's a balancing act for me between ignoring and attending to the news and whatever is going on. I like that you could 'turn off' and feel better for it. Denyse #teamIBOT
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking a lot about these exact thoughts and have actually been drafting a blog post myself. I agree. I think I liked living in ignorance too.
ReplyDeleteThe original face palm! I try to avoid the comment sections of news pages on facebook but sometimes the curiosity is too much. Then I kick myself for going there!
ReplyDeleteThat's me exactly! I know I shouldn't, but then I do _ and then against my better judgement, I sometimes argue with them.
DeleteAnd 'the first face palm' was exactly what popped into my head when I entered the room and saw it - It was in the corner and I crossed the gallery and went straight to it. I thought it was hilarious and beautiful at the same time...
DeleteI'm trying to discipline myself not to read the comments below news articles and commentary online. That's where I seem to see the ugliest responses and it does get very depressing. It worries me that people get so worked up over little things - or even big things, but things about which they only know half the story. Taking some breaks from the online world definitely helps.
ReplyDeleteI've had to switch off from the news and a lot of the internet of late. I'm so much better for it.
ReplyDeleteReading the comments are the worst. There is a lot of debate on different issues at the moment. The thing is we all think differently, but we should be able to voice our opinion considerately, but it rarely happens these days.
ReplyDeleteI think the entire world could benefit from going offline a little. I'm still shaking my head at that whole kerfuffle about the woman who bought milk from Coles and was affronted when she couldn't exchange it at Woolworths. The image above pretty much mirrors my expression when I first heard about that one...
ReplyDeleteI live a life of ignorance by choice. I don't watch the news, I don't read newspapers nor do I read news online. Ignorance really is bliss.
ReplyDeletei think I pulled that face when I lost my virginity AND every day I read a moron's opinion on the internet. I love it!
ReplyDeleteMy head is very much in the sand. Whenever I pull it out I remember why I like it there.
ReplyDelete