I categorize events into two categories; important and hype. I personally do not pay attention to news because I will usually not like yet I know that is does not surprise me that it occured in that manner. The reason why I feel that way is because I prefer to focus on my own immediate issues and do what needs to be done for me. However if something important did happen it will have my utmost attention, and the last event that occurred that grabbed my attention was the 2011 TÅhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11th 2011. For the first time in many years, I actually cared about something that occurred somewhere else.
There are two reasons why this disaster grabbed my attention, the first is that the country which is the source of my Japanese pride faced an apocalyptic disaster and the damage whiched looked like it was a movie was actually REAL. I actually asked myself, "Is this really happening? Is this some horrible joke? Is this a nightmare?" Unfortunately only one of those questions was answered, that it was really happening and the apocalypse was unfolding upon Japan. I almost wanted to cry because how could such a disaster happen to a country like Japan? I felt like I died inside that day.
Aside from dumping my emotions out upon that I will tell you what I think about news which is simply hype. Well, it is just as I say it is: hype. Therefore I just turn my head away from it and just continue on my life without being disturbed by that type of news. Why do other people get all worked up about news like that is beyond me, well it may just be the difference of interest between me and most people. But that is just how it is, I guess.
When I learn about information and wish to learn more about a specific event, I either look on certain websites, my e-mail news page, or ask one of my relatives whom always have updates about the news. Every time they always tell me about a specific event their information is always concrete and detailed. As for considering what type of news is just hype, well I usually dismiss something that does not involve any deaths or damages as hype because to me that is not important because I have better things to do with my life instead of being preoccupied about trivial matters.
Some people would tell me to watch the news and I would respond, "I do, and there is not anything that concerns me". Ignorant as that my sound I feel that way because I do not like being preoccupied with other people's issue, especially with people whom I do not know or will ever meet. As selfish as that sounds I hold that type of perspective for specific reasons (which I will not state in this blog) and will remain to holding on to those reasons until I go to the grave.
It is interesting how we use certain events as little mental signposts to gauge our time lines throughout our lives. These may be events that are more personal in nature, or certain worldwide events that many people can relate to. I use both personal as well public events as markers for myself, depending on what I am discussing or thinking about. As for personal events, I use the passing of my mother in 2005. We were very close and her unexpected passing continues to have a great effect on me. I also use an event that took place back in 1988 where I was involved in a bad motorcycle accident. I was hurt pretty bad and was in the hospital for months, and I was only sixteen years old at the time. Needless to say, this event changed my life for some years afterwards and continues to be an event that I gauge my personal time line against. As for events that are more public, I think many people probably use the events that took place in September 11, 2001 as a time marker, especially folks who were in New York City on that day. I use that event in some cases, but I really use the Los Angeles Riots of 1992 as a major time marker for my life. This is probably significant for many people that were involved with that or who were in Los Angeles at that time. Like 9/11, I guess this fits both the personal and public categories for events for some people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the news now is all hyped up. The only things I ever see on there are exciting stories like someone being rob, stab, and scandals. Almost like all the stuff they have in soap television shows. Then they throw in a bit on how to be healthier and what styles are popular. The other day I was watching the television and the program I was watching was interrupted because The President had arrived to LAX. At first I was interested because I thought something important might be happening. I was scared I thought O my gosh did we get attacked again or did something major happen. So I waited to see what was so important that they interrupted a television show for. After 15 min of watching the air plane land and park the president stepped out. Then it was over, the media stop everything to show him land in LAX? What is wrong with our country, all of that hype and it was nothing of importance. No wonder people stop watching the news. It is sad because I think it is important for people to be educated and know what is going on in their country but unfortunately people can’t get important real facts anymore. Our media has glamorized and hype things so much it is hard to find any important information.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are able to express yourself and not go in the same direction as everyone else. You did a great job on that! I do have to say that I do agree with you. When I watch the news, sometimes I end up feeling depressed because I just heard about a family getting killed. This kind of news really gets to me and makes me upset. The last thing I want to hear about is someone getting killed. When it comes to this I really just want to change the channel and act like it never happened, but I keep watching because I feel like I owe the respect to the family.
ReplyDeleteAnother type of news I don’t like to watch is when it involves job lay offs. All I ever hear is the economy being bad, classes being cut. There is never a happy turning point. This gets to me because my mom and stepfather were laid off a week from each other for a year. During this time we almost lost our house but we got through it. When I hear the news involving the economy I do change the channel because I don’t want to hear about it because most of it is bull.
I think the disaster in Japan grabbed the attention of the majority of the world, reason being; like you said it was surreal, it looked like a movie. The devastation was unimaginable, and it happened in the blink of an eye. I remember I was watching TV and my friend called me up he said, “Dude turn to the news right now, Japan just had a massive quake”. Before I changed the channel I was not prepared to see what I was about to. So I can only imagine how you felt having heritage in Japan. I also usually don’t pay attention to issues not pertaining to our country, but this one certainly caught my eye. I too view most news as “hype”, because it is all drama, which is irrelevant to my life. I just don’t get worked up over that kind of stuff like other people do. If the news is on I always change the channel, because it is all for ratings, not for the good of the people. That’s why I always go to Verizon or Gmail and skim through the headlines, or like you mentioned I ask my Dad or Mom, who always have answers to my questions.
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