Part of downshifting and simplicity is seeing the wonderfulness that exists in this world, our communities and our homes. Substitute North American media for UK media if you are a UK reader, sadly we have the same experience.
“I think the North American media – and I am speaking of both the entertainment industry and the news bureaus who frame the world for us – I think the North American media have, over the last fifty odd years, framed our view of the world in a most unhelpful way. We have been told over and over again in both direct and indirect ways that the world is not a safe place. A proposition I fundamentally disagree with. Which is not, I hasten to say, to imply that there are not dangerous people out there, or even dangerous states … It is a complex and complicated world, sometimes sad and often frustrating … full of intrigue and intricacy, but the simple fact is we are not surrounded by enemies … and the vast majority of people you might meet, here or there or anywhere, would lend a hand in help rather than in harm, if they were to raise a hand at all.
Consider all those police shows, and reality shows, and talk shows. Look at the movie chosen by the Academy of motion pictures artists last year as the best of the year … the best America could do – No Country For Old Men – it was a movie of unspeakable violence. And it left me, anyway, with one lesson and that was to question my instinct not to stop at the edge of a highway if I ever saw anyone in distress ever again … as that was one way the villain , or was it the hero of that movie, would pose when he wanted to lay a trap for one of his many luckless victims.
The strangers our schools teach children to avoid are more apt to help than harm them. Here in Canada various politicians and police forces serving their own self interests have warned us about rising crimes rates when the reverse is true .. but we buy into the fear and hover around our children like secret service agents shielding them from dangers that don’t exist … and instead of sending them next door to call on someone, we arrange play dates as if we were social secretaries rather than moms and dads.
We have bought this danger story, hook line and sinker, and in so doing we have robbed our children of childhood. I fell for it too. Which is probably why I feel so strongly about this. It is worth pointing out that it is not just the media who should be held to accounts. Political leaders have been equally adept at this game. It has served more than one leader to paint the world as a dangerous place . To point to the enemies hovering around us.
Any person who has traveled widely would tell you otherwise. Would tell you this world is full of men and women just like you -men and women who are anxious to look after themselves and provide for their families and muddle through to the end as best they can.
There are not armies huddled on our borders in the darkness … and if there are … they are the armies of the hungry and the dispossessed.
And yes, again, there are bad guys … and yes it is a tricky business navigating the ship of state, but any political leader who tries to tell you it is time to circle the wagons is trying to sell you a bill of goods.
And that’s the truth.
Forgive me for going on … but it is not said enough .. And I’ll say it again … the world is a good place … full of good people … and when we act out of that …. when we act out of hope and optimism and faith in our fellow man … we act out of our best selves … and we are capable of doing great things. Of contributing to the greater good.
Hope and optimism are not synonymous with naivety . We should be looking to the future with flinty and steely eyes for sure … but they should be wide open with hope … not squinting in fear.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
If it is evil doers you seek you will find them aplenty … if it is enemies that you want they are there too … but if you want the truth the truth is, Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God”
So long for now,
Stuart
Stuart McLean is a wonderful Canadian man who hosts a 1 hour radio program each Sunday that always reminds me of why I’m downshifting and makes me stop & smell the roses. The hour consists of stories centred around two main characters, Dave & Morley and the most wonderful arrangements of music. It also usually consists of humorous tales sent in from around the world. For us Brits it reminds me of Home Truths and the wonderful late John Peel. Vinyl Cafe is by far Canada’s finest and while many people I know listen the world over, I would encourage you all to, especially those in Canada! This essay by Stuart sums up exactly my experience and I think the media in the western world does exactly what Stuart discusses. How many times have I walked past a newsagent and seen another tabloid blaming asylum seekers, talking about high rates of crimes (no mention crime rates are decreasing).
I’ve travelled through many continents, mostly on my own, I’ve had some interesting experiences. I live on the outskirts of a pretty deprived area. I walk places, including after dusk. I choose to interact with the world instead of hiding behind an air conditioned car or holidaying in hotels/cottages, where I can hide behind yet another door. Downshifting is teaching me to learn to trust people again, to see the good everywhere to smile and acknowledge everyone, including those on “rough estates”. People are generally good, they just need to know that we value them…
Stuart’s blog can be found here
You can listen by reading the instructions here
What a beautiful, thoughtful post
My 19 year old daughter no longer watches the news or reads the newpaper. She says she’s sick of hearing about the number of people who have been raped, beaten or murdered and that it’s about time they made it clear that while x number of people have been murdered this year, x millions haven’t. They haven’t been beaten, raped, burgled either. Her philosphy is that the world is what we make it – we can either fear it or we can enjoy it. She chooses the latter and that makes me a happy mum
Frugal: What a fantastic post! Yes we do live in a wonderful world. I’ve travelled a little bit and have seen these ordinary extraordinary people. Don’t get me started on the kindness of strangers …
Hi there-another great post my dear!! have you ever watched the Secret Millionaire on channel 4 (or 5). Its very eye opening and inspirational, not just to view but for the millionaire who goes into different communities, integrating and deciding who they can help for the best! I think we can all be guilty of 1st impressions and its all about seeing the best in people, if at all possible, rather than the worse.
I loved what you wrote today and I love Stuart McLean! I’ve seen him once already and will see him next year again! If anyone ever has a chance to see his show live, go! It’s not as expensive as you think and worth every penny! When we went to see him almost two years ago, he was surprised to see so many teens in the audience but very happy. Frugal Trenches you made my day and its only 7:30!
I’m not sure my comment read right – it reads as though I am cross but of course I’m not! What I meant to convey was the fact that I have been amazed and overwhelmed at the kindness of strangers and have many stories!
I, too, have stopped watching the news and, for the most part, reading newspapers, apart from the headlines now and again. It’s left me woefully ignorant of what’s going on in the world Outside, but I’m okay with that. I don’t have misery, rage, terror, etc. racing around my head and having me jump at shadows at every corner.
People look to leaders to make them feel safe – it must be inherent in our makeup, as it goes back thousands of years – but it seems there’s just so much more “stuff” out there that’s dangerous these days. We all lived through the 70′s…we’re okay. Nothing more is happening these days than was happening then, except we get more reported, talked about, discussed, “discovered”…
Repeat it often enough, and people will believe it!
Even the people repeating it…
Great post!
“Downshifting is teaching me to learn to trust people again, to see the good everywhere to smile and acknowledge everyone, including those on “rough estates”.
What a wonderful, unexpected benefit! Thank you for sharing your insight.
Rick Steves, a very famous travel writer, has one rule for Americans traveling abroad
STOP READING THE NEWS FOR 6 WEEKS BEFORE YOU GO or you’ll never leave home.
As they say in America, if it bleds it leads. Crime is down yet Americans are more fearful than ever.
I will admit, I read the news constantly. Not necessarily the mainstream media, but definitely alternative media. I think turning off these sources of information about the world around us, turns *us* off from the world around us. Ultimately, we are all connected, and what happens to a monk in Burma is of relevance to me. I enjoy my wonderful life on the sacrifice of millions, and I don’t ever want to forget that.
Frankly, I don’t think the news focuses enough on the truly horrible things that happen in the world. If it did, I think we have done something long ago about the terrible conditions in so many parts of the world.
Instead, the news chooses to sensationalize certain things, throwing our sense of the world out of balance. More people around the world know about Britney Spears than Aung San Suu Kyi. It’s really a shame.
Having said all this, yes, I also wish the news focussed more on wonderful things too. Because there is so much of that in our world as well.
Is the world a dangerous place? I think so. But I don’t see why that has to stop us from doing what we want/need to do.
Great post. It’s a nice change to see a different perspective on the world. I think we all need checks and balances, and lately we’ve only been getting bad news. It’s nice to read something POSITIVE.
Thanks for the positive today…:)
“Any person who has traveled widely would tell you otherwise. Would tell you this world is full of men and women just like you -men and women who are anxious to look after themselves and provide for their families and muddle through to the end as best they can.”
I like this quote in particular. I cannot wait to meet the wonderful people of the world.
And this is why I say it is detrimental to watch the news in the morning before work. It’s simply depressing!
How refreshing! I always think like that but I do dip into the darkside at times. Did you knwo that there are less murders in London now than a 100 years ago. We are so silly for only having news that is about beatings, stabbings and violence.
this is a great post
it’s hard to strike a balance
on the one hand, there are lots of good people out there
but still, bad things do happen to people, people I have known
how to be cautious, and optimistic at the same time?
Sharon J, your daughter is very smart. The world IS what we make it! What a great quote!
Sandie – I get what you mean, it is very true!
Sharon Rose – My mum watches that show and says the same thing! All I know is that I believe there are people who live on “those estates” and yet it is those people who would give you the last item of clothing they owned and the last penny they had!
Sam – I’m very glad to be of service & make your day!
Yes, agreed, Stuart is simply wonderful. I listen each week and always learn something new!
Annie – very true, the same stats are bantered around and around, people are so scared of crime that they turn inward.
Rtc – glad you enjoyed!
Rob – very true, I don’t think it is just Americans though!
Deepali – I am like you, I read news constantly, I listen to news 24/7 and enjoy it. However, I think what Stuart is saying or at least the point I’m making is that it doesn’t make me scared of crime, it doesn’t make me turn inward. Yes, horrific things happen truly horrible things (Sudan, Ruwanda etc), but people “turn off” from those, instead they focus on “the bad” in their own neighbourhoods and get scared, they live in fear of crime and turn inwards, become more isolated, more me vs. the world! That is what I have an objection to!
Hope that makes sense!
Sharon – thank you!
Money Funk – I too have switched what I watch in the morning, I no longer watch the terrible am news choices on UK tv, instead I listen to the radio or play classical music. By evening I’m more ready to handle politics!
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