Mar 21, 2011

Keep Sanity In The Circle Of Tragedies

These days tragedies impossible to take in, emerge in newspaper and TV channels. The impact of the terrible disaster in Japan is difficult to understand, and I would imagine many people close their eyes and turn to other pages or channels.

I do it myself, very often, as all the events, catastrophes and crises is disturbing. To think of all those Japanese people who are affected, is in fact heartbreaking.  I think it is natural as well, and rather sane, to focus on the brighter side of life as we all need a kind of mental nutrition and encouragement. We need hope.

Of course we could just leave all these negative realities and drift into selfishness. But this is not the case. Many people have great sympathy for the Japanese people and many are thinking in a broader perspective and get worried about the global impact on this catastrophe of such huge dimension. Although oceans, mountains and border lines keep us apart, we all belong to a chain.

The international economy could be affected The environmental impact is of great importance. There are many cards on the table. Only a few are known so far. This will be a topic for a long period, but the events in Japan will fade as soon as a new tragedy turns up.

This is the face of journalism. Broadcasters and reporters are running after the news, wherever is it possible to find it. These days we get every events live in both net version, net-TV in newspapers and of course traditional television. Mass communication is finally a correct word, in every possible sense and meaning. For instance, through mobile phones, news are sent around the world, as events take place, and this is something of a sensation which new generation take for granted, but as I have been living for a certain time, I am amazed by the speed of news these days. Still, we have become consumers of news and information and I am not sure if we really let it sink in, or if it just fill a new gap, our need of impressions.

Could we make a diagnose: Information and communication stress?

Why not turn it all off? Stay silent. Enjoy peaceful moments in daily life. Get into your own soul. Be mature through your knowledge of your own inner universe, which is a journey of imagination. Perhaps this is the best recipe to keep sane.

But of course the world outside fascinate: I am sure Japan will be able to rebuild and move forward. Japanese people are hard working and disciplined. They have this ability in the fabric of society and “cultural infrastructure”. Perhaps Japan will be able to modernise and reform its society as well.

In the shadow of the Japanese disaster, the development in Libya has continued. Libyans are bombed and killed by their own leaders, which is a crime against humanity. Still, world leaders are discussing what to do. This is difficult to understand for ordinary people. What will happen if Gaddafi survives this crises? Both personal and state assets are frozen. He will be a liability and only welcome in countries like Venezuela, Zimbabwe or North Korea. Will Gaddafi and the international community return to point zero, where Gaddafi has been before? Will he ever be able to return to his previous position? It will be interesting to see the further development. Libya will indeed be on the map of world news for a while as well.

The struggle for reforms is not finished in Bahrain, yet. Although emergency law is used by the regime, the Shia majority is angry. And anger is a particular energy. One does not give up easily. In the end, the monarchy of Bahrain could fall. These days the ruling family and their institutions are under the protection of Saudi soldiers. Tomorrow is an other day, as those who put the weapon against its people will one day face the same destiny. This is a law of the nature. The situation is tense in Yemen. A change could come fast or the crises could last for some more time.

Still, as we live in the circle of tragedies and crises, we can only watch and wait. The need of normality is very human. We search for order and stability. We need to laugh, and therefore, to feel joy, you keep sane as events unfold.

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