Tuesday, January 08, 2013

In which I try to go positive...


I've started writing today's blog post twice - well, this is the third time - today.

The first one was complaining about the proliferation of ads on television that try to convince people that no one is going to like them or love them if they aren't perfect, and then offering a variety of very expensive goods and services that we are to believe will make us thinner, better-looking, younger-looking, and just plain more desirable. I think I've probably complained about this sort of advertisement around here before, and so I abandoned that effort.

The second one consisted of me complaining about a meme that came across my Facebook feed a day or two ago, one that implied that anyone who is in favor of any kind of control on firearm or ammunition ownership is just as bad as Hitler. But, you know, complaining about ignorance on Facebook will do just about as much good as complaining that the Sun comes up in the morning. And so I abandoned that post as well.

I try, though, I really, really try to keep this blog from being a venue for my complaint of the day. Because it could be that. It is that, sometimes, despite my determination. God knows there is enough stupidity in the world to support a blog like that. But I'd like to be more positive than that.

Back in the sixties...yes, I remember the sixties...there was a saying, might be called a meme today, that went like this: "If you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the problem." While I'm not sure who said it (sources differ), I think there is some merit to that position. A part of that, of being part of the solution rather than part of the problem, is not just sitting around and complaining about things, but actually suggesting ways of solving the problem.

This is not to say that pointing out the problem is out of bounds. How will anyone know the problems exist outside of their own frustration if no one defines and outlines the problem? But you can't, either, just state the problem, announce that it bugs you, and leave it at that.

I'll be honest. I can't think of any solution to my first complaint. Well, I can, but Madison Avenue, as an cultural phenomenon, is not going to go away anytime soon, as much as I'd like it to. So, if any of you have any suggestions about how to get the diet industry and the cosmetic surgery industry to quit "going negative", I'd love to hear those ideas.

I'm not sure, either, how to get people to quit trying to argue their position on issues like, but not limited to, gun control, without resorting to insults and name-calling. They might try to make an actual argument rather than merely demonizing their opponents, but that could be too much to ask.

I have a much more difficult time staying positive in the second instance. How do you have a conversation with someone who takes the position that they are entitled to what they want and anyone who disagrees with them is either stupid or evil? And, when they can't accept that limitation doesn't necessarily equate to elimination? Believe me, I've had this argument enough times to know that there are those who take the position that there is no middle ground.

This is not a declaration that I'm never going to write a post complaining about something ever again. It is a statement of intent that I am going to try to go positive at least as often as I go negative. It's sort of the difference between how Keith Olbermann used to do a feature on his show, when he had it, called "The World Person In The World", and how Rachel Maddow does a feature on her show that she calls "The Best New Thing In The World".

There is a place for both, but balance is a good thing.

5 comments:

Winnie said...

I totally understand. I think my sounding board for these things is my poor hubby.. I rave to him about these kinds of things all the time. My blog is a craft one so I don't really have anywhere to write my feelings out about these things, so poor hubby is it. I go over and over looking for solutions to various world problems, but really come up empty. I try to do the right thing, but I can't control others and somethings I just want to hide from the news as it is horrible most days. I go and take out paints and inks and have some quiet time.

Audrey said...

Winnie, my original blog is food and I felt limited too, so I started the second one for "everything not food".

As far as ads are concerned I laugh because the channels I watch are either Medicare enrollment commercials or if you don't buy this product your child will be a miserable failure. Definately HATE those.

And Facebook newsfeeds over gun control (both sides) are getting as out of control as the presidential election posts. I may have to do some friend purging soon.

littlemissattitude said...

Thank you both for your comments.

I comepletely understand your impulse to hide from the news, Winnie. I get that way sometimes, but deep down I'm a news junkie and have been since I was a kid. I suspect that this is fallout from all the years when my dad had KNX, an all news radio station in L.A., on in his car all the time, except when a baseball game was on. So, I always end up going back because although the news drives me crazy, it's even worse to not know what is going on.

I've gotten to the point where I hide a lot of posts about controversial issues, including but not limited to gun control. However, I want to know who is saying what about different issues, not least because I want to know who not to mention certain subjects around when I'm seeing them IRL (I've only got a few FB friends who I don't know IRL), so as not to get into an argument.

missattitude

Unknown said...

So many stupid people in the world! LOL! Not really, but it is easy to let yourself believe that sometimes. If only the world would read our blogs, they might get the message. Until then, we can only try to keep our sense of humor. :)

littlemissattitude said...

It's kind of been rough times around here lately, Tamara. So, I'm having to work extra hard to keep things positive. But I'm working on it. And, yes, having a sense of humor is part of that.

missattitude