When I went to Thanksgiving last week my parents asked me if I had heard about what happened in India. I hadn't, so they told me that there were terrorist bombings and buildings taken over and Pakistan was being accused of the attacks, etc. I was very surprised to hear of such a terrible thing and I was shocked that I hadn't heard anything about it earlier. I realized that we're in a bubble here at Columbia. Or at least I feel like it. I never watch tv and I barely ever get the chance to read the paper and if no one else does either, how will we ever know what's going on in the outside world? Question 1. Do you also feel like you're in a bubble? 2. Do you feel guilty about not being able to read the paper and watch the news and stay up-to-date with the world? 3. Does it matter if we know what's going on out there? 4. Is it our duty to be knowledgeable world citizens? 5. If we know about these horrible things what can we do about them?
I was motivated today to take a look at the paper and I saw that GM is asking for $18 BILLION to prevent its collapse. I feel like one day I'm going to look outside my window and the world will be in ruins, having crumbled while I was inside intensely focused on reading the "great books" or writing that paper.
Also watched this disturbing video today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA98U0Csers
I just can't believe that this kind of thing goes on, it acceptable among men, and nothing is done about it. It's disgusting, how can they call themselves human?
But then, what is human? And who gets to decide what's right? Are there fundamental rights and wrongs and if so how come some people just don't see them as so? Are we allowed to go into another country and tell them what to do? Where is the line? When do we need to step in?
Blog Archive
8 comments:
It is certainly surprising to think about how much most college students wall themselves in. The vast majority of students are less exposed to the goings-on of the world than they were during their high-school years, with the daily newspaper on the doorstep and the constantly-blaring evening news. This phenomenon is surprising in that it is counter-intuitive; one might think that the edification-seeking student would strive to inform themselves about the world's issues. But I feel that a certain cynicism has been ingrained by the newspaper and television news that displays itself during a person's subsequent years. We feel that we cannot do anything to prevent or change the horrible things that are happening across the globe, from genocide to poverty to harmful emissions. While there are many that choose not to be in this bubble, read the news in print or online and stage protests like college students of days gone by, I would agree that we as an age group tend to choose the bubble over feelings of responsibility and outrage.
Those who choose the bubble over the outrage (and I am likely among them)accept that there are no fundamental human rights. Or perhaps there is one human right; the right to do whatever you want or need to do, and the right understand that there will be some sort of consequences, good or bad. It is a bleak worldview, but perhaps a more attractive one, as it is more personal and less presumptuously far-fetched than the notion that things should be a certain way and that we have a right to keep things this way.
I found this to be an interesting provocation, but I think the question has to be put on a broader scale. There is definitely some limitations in saying that being at Columbia would make one less conscious of the global arena. I think that if someone is not aware of the issues going on here at Columbia, he or she would have to just make the effort to do so. I call for the need of a broader context because I think the majorities of places or responsibilities in life can thrust you into a bubble of unconsciousness.
As for the concept of terrorism in Pakistan, I think the video itself is a bit unconscious. The perspective on the film represents a lot of the American mentality that will at some point lead to you looking at your college window to see the word falling to pieces. Instead of just retelling the story of a marred woman and her search for justice, the NY times made it seem like the terrorism that had occurred in Mumbai or even in the US was directly related to the domestic violence these women suffered. Also, towards the end of the video, the director inserted a photo of Joe Biden and mentioned how problems such as these could be faced with a new bill that US Congress would pass. I personally see a lot more unconsciousness there than I see on Columbia's campus. If there is one thing I have learned this semester it is that you have to be responsible for your awareness. Your global, social, and self consciousness all results of the effort you put into learning, exploring, and showing humility. So whether it's a college student who denies the free college paper in front of Lerner Hall, or Joe Biden releasing a "solution" to the Pakistani women's battle against acid terror, there is a clear lack of consciousness and effort to really immerse oneself in the complexity and specificity of a situation.
So, if there is one comment to make, I think it would be this: awareness is your prerogative. How deep it goes and how many people you can affect because of it are also completely yours for the making.
Concerning the terrorist attacks in India, I had heard about them but I didn't really know what was going on. It is quite interesting that you mention we live in a bubble in Columbia. In many ways, that is really true. I think the only reason why I heard about the attacks was through Bwog? Also, I was also leaving for home that day and found myself waiting at the airport for a couple hours. I ended up staring at CNN which was reporting breaking news on the attacks. It was really quite shocking that I hadn't really heard about what had happened.
Personally, I don't really read the newspaper although I really should. I will occasionally surf the internet for news but I get most of my news from either word of mouth or when Columbia reports it. Or of course if it's something I'm interested in. That in itself is quite frightening. Back in high school, I would read the newspaper, and listen to the radio every morning. It seems like my routine here, and probably the routine of many others at college is basically one that 'minds our own business'. It's quite sad and I'm very glad that you brought it up as after that India terrorist attack incident I promised myself to make sure I was more informed of world events.
Responses to questions:
1) I try and live outside that bubble as much as possible. I have as my first four Bookmarks in Mozilla a bunch of varying online newspapers and news sites (1. The Jerusalem Post 2. The Washington Post 3. CNN.com and 4. The Middle East Times). Beyond that my homepage is The New York Times so I am always in the loop of what is going on in the world around me.
2) As noted above, I try and keep up-to-date as much as possible. That being said, when I don't know what's going on I do feel guilty, that I'm not knowledgeable or aware of what's going on in the world around me.
3) It matters a great deal.
4) Yes, because ignorance is in fact not bliss. I think being knowledgeable is key to being successful in our modern world.
5) Maybe we cannot do anything directly, at least not yet. Being knowledgeable allows us the opportunity to think freely and concern ourselves with the problems of the world, possibly leading to further work in improving certain situations.
About the last comments you made in your post Jess, they're very existential and thought-provoking but we can't overlook the fact that we are simply human. Humans are imperfect beings capable of imperfect acts and sometimes yes, atrocities and horrors. Let us not overlook the fact that we are also capable of greatness and kindness and it is those things that makes me optimistic that our world will not collapse, and the goodness in our world will only endure. Ideological and overly optimistic yes, but I would like to think realistic as well.
Hello I really like your blog, I would like a link exchange with you, I insert your blog to my favorite blogs ;)
the address of my blog is: http://marcocrupifoto.blogspot.com/
My blog deal of the art of photography.
( photo technique, post production, photo retouching, Reportage, how-to and articles )
Hello I really like your blog, I would like a link exchange with you, I insert your blog to my favorite blogs ;)
the address of my blog is: http://marcocrupifoto.blogspot.com/
My blog deal of the art of photography.
( photo technique, post production, photo retouching, Reportage, how-to and articles )
I have been visiting various blogs for my research papers writing. I have found your blog to be quite useful. Keep updating your blog with valuable information... Regards
Post a Comment