At times, I get so angry about the news and what is considered to be news that “we” just have to know. In Europe most the news coverage is based on facts without the sappy, pseudo-emotional undertones. Who really gives a shit, if Tiger Woods gives an “emotional” apology? It is not even just about celebrities, because anyone can become a idol here, as long as they just suffered some “unspeakable” misfortune, so that the entire nation can collectively wipe their fake tears and secretly think that our normal, non-drama lives are not so bad after all. I am just so sick to hear about people’s hyped-out tragedies, like the contestant on American Idol whose grandma is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is not expected to live that long anymore. It is all in the hopes that we, the audience, should feel emotionally connected to fairly non-extraordinary events that happened to us or people around us a million times before. It is not about the facts, but with the sappy, teary music in the background that shows grandma helplessly stumbling around around the house in slow motion. Please spare us.
Or it is the spoiled 18 year old brat that is feels entitled to receive a brand-new $60,000 BMW for her birthday and whose only happiness in life revolves around her looks and what others think of her. How shallow and lifeless. Blame the parents. When did people become so consumed by standards? Look at the “Housewives of Orange County” and you will see how truly generic they are – not only in their looks, but also with their empty personalities that only revolve around looks, money and petty, homegrown problems.
People don’t have any respect for each other anymore and just seem to care about their own lives and I think partially to blame for it is the media. When did it become an exception to hold the door for another person that is right behind you? I work at a college and most of the students don’t seem to grasp that concept anymore. When did it become acceptable to ignore the cashier at a grocery store by just nodding while yapping away loudly on the cell phone? What could possibly be that important?
Sometimes, I wish I could escape people. I am initially very friendly and have a positive and tolerant mind for all people who are not on the same wavelength with me, but more and more often, I catch myself just wanting to escape from stupid people. To me, there is nothing more boring that shallow and selfish people.
I am getting even more aggravated when it comes to how people treat the environment. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote an angry letter to a company who is now promoting to steam your crap in one-way plastic containers that make up more of the volume than the food itself. Ah, who cares? We just throw everything away and have the mentality that, if it lands in the trashcan then it is just out of sight and out of mind. The industry wants to make us believe that “electric cars” are the new shit in being environmentally friendly. What they don’t tell you is that the batteries in those cars are one of the most toxic trash that mankind can produce. When did we start believing that electric energy is actually “green”? Is it generated from a shitload of natural resources or, well, nuclear energy! If you happen to live around one of those power plants, then you probably don’t consider it so “green” anymore.
Or just look at “diet” products. Yea, substitute sugar for some chemical stuff and you’ll stay slim forever, but, unfortunately, you will die sooner, because your kidney or liver will just give up. But, of course, no one ever tells you that. I had to find out after I ended up in the hospital and discovered that aspartame is just an acronym for a neurological toxin. Lovely.
In the end, what gives? None of us will be remembered for being anything special than being just another ordinary human being living on this planet that just strives to survive and attempting to lead a fulfilled life, have a family, a special someone to share their lives with and maybe to make a difference in the lives of the people in our own micro environment. Who will really remember us in 50 or 100 years? Probably no one. Sounds depressing, but, well, it is reality.
But, again, that’s all in line with the world we live in, eh?