Over the weekend I read a couple articles that really hit me. They are very different, yet similar. One life and death. One photograph of a typist people latched to and made awful comments. And they both talk about the dangers of the online world.
Yes, I do consider it quite a different world. People say things online that they would never actually say to someone else out loud. How has that become our world?
I think one of the biggest things I can't get over is these people don't even really know the other people. In the case of the typist, commentors didn't know him at all.
To be honest I have no grasp of gang life. None. at. all. The most I know about it is going on a date with someone who grew up where gangs were prevalent once. I asked him questions that were appropriate for a first date. (It was pretty clear he didn't want to talk about it. Sounded like high school wasn't all that fun for him.) That is all I know.
What boggles me about the typist is he was pretty much helping people. Helping people. And the online world turned on him. (Which by the way, what is wrong with hipsters? Let's stop classifying people. Please.)
Then there are The Mowgli's who I love. Here they are trying to start a movement. 'Be A Mowgli' They want everyone to do a good deed, help someone out. I love it. It gives me hope.
But I struggle to find the balance between the two. And here I am wanting to 'Be A Mowgli', but seeing these huge things happening, it almost seems immobilizing. What can I really do? How does doing something small really make a difference?
Then I try to think of it this way: it doesn't have to be big. Be a good, friendly person and you might make someone's day. I can't save the world. Small things can make a difference to someone. And they can add up.
Saturday after meeting someone who was just so comforting in the morning I walked around with a grin on my face. People walking by on the street literally smiled at me. The first few I literally wondered if I had something on my face. Why were people smiling at me, let alone looking at me? I think it's because I wanted to be helpful and open. I talked with people I normally wouldn't and it was pretty amazing.
Update: This story about #AJO is very sweet and I didn't know there was a Good News site! Check it!
Yes, I do consider it quite a different world. People say things online that they would never actually say to someone else out loud. How has that become our world?
I think one of the biggest things I can't get over is these people don't even really know the other people. In the case of the typist, commentors didn't know him at all.
To be honest I have no grasp of gang life. None. at. all. The most I know about it is going on a date with someone who grew up where gangs were prevalent once. I asked him questions that were appropriate for a first date. (It was pretty clear he didn't want to talk about it. Sounded like high school wasn't all that fun for him.) That is all I know.
What boggles me about the typist is he was pretty much helping people. Helping people. And the online world turned on him. (Which by the way, what is wrong with hipsters? Let's stop classifying people. Please.)
Then there are The Mowgli's who I love. Here they are trying to start a movement. 'Be A Mowgli' They want everyone to do a good deed, help someone out. I love it. It gives me hope.
But I struggle to find the balance between the two. And here I am wanting to 'Be A Mowgli', but seeing these huge things happening, it almost seems immobilizing. What can I really do? How does doing something small really make a difference?
Then I try to think of it this way: it doesn't have to be big. Be a good, friendly person and you might make someone's day. I can't save the world. Small things can make a difference to someone. And they can add up.
Saturday after meeting someone who was just so comforting in the morning I walked around with a grin on my face. People walking by on the street literally smiled at me. The first few I literally wondered if I had something on my face. Why were people smiling at me, let alone looking at me? I think it's because I wanted to be helpful and open. I talked with people I normally wouldn't and it was pretty amazing.
Update: This story about #AJO is very sweet and I didn't know there was a Good News site! Check it!
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