Media

I'm not in the right mood to write this blog at the moment, but I haven't done one for some time, so will write it anyway.

The Media.

I don't like it, therefore I don't pay attention to it. This makes my life much happier. I used to watch the news all the time about a year ago, just because my family does. But I was finding myself constantly depressed about the state of affairs in the world. Global warming, war, poverty, terrorism, death; things to invoke fear in our hearts.

The news rarely reports the good stuff. The best we get is about an overweight rabbit, or some child that can read. But I suppose that is the local news struggling to get stories. I remember once being told about a local paper that had the headline: Old Man Dies of Old Age.

But anyway, I'm drifting from the point I was attempting to make. The news, in most of its forms strives to give bad news. Admittedly these are the more interesting stories, and I suppose we need to know about them if we want to know about the whole world's events. But stop there. Do we need to know about everything going on in the world? Is there anything that the common person will do about it? No. They will just acknowledge it, and go about their daily lives. Perhaps they'll use it to make conversation with someone at some point. But most likely they'll worry. So this is what I was doing. The stories of tragedy and the suffering of others made me somewhat depressed. I felt like it was unlikely I'd make it to the next year, without some sort disaster happening. Maybe I'd get stabbed or shot, or there would be a hurricane. Ok maybe I'm exaggerating a little. But I didn't see much hope for this world. Then it occurred to me. If I can't help them (Not at this immediate point in time), then why watch the news at all? Especially if it depresses me.

Ignorant bliss. I must admit I'm not in complete ignorant bliss. I vaguely know what is going on, and the main stories somehow get into my subconscious. But I will listen to my ipod instead of the news at dinner time.

The reason my life has been so sheltered is because of the news. I am barely able to cycle on the road. I can't be in town at midnight. I must fear everyone, and never trust anyone I don't know. According to my mum. This is because incidents such as stabbings are reported on the news regularly. This makes them seem common. However they are a very small percentage of the deaths caused in one day. A cyclist may have had a nasty accident on the news, but it doesn't mean I shouldn't cycle. As long as I'm careful, and take all necessary safety precautions I should be ok shouldn't I? I'd rather live life not constantly worried and paranoid, than in a protective bubble, where enjoyment is nil.

I think I may be over sensitive to the news stories, and my mum watches too much of it. But I know I have been happier with myself since I reduced my intake. If you find yourself worried that the world is in a state. Slow down, take a look around, and appreciate the beauty of nature (if you can).

I do wish my thoughts were less jumbled and came in coherent structures. But I'm sure that will come with time. If I don't listen to music and edit the posts properly it may work better :p.

What do you think about the media? Am I too sensitive or do I have a point? Feel free to make a comment.

Politics of Britain

I am home, alone. Sort of bored, sort of not. I want to do exercise, but don't. And feel I need to write a blog on here for anyone that looks. So here goes. This does of course mean I have nothing to talk about that is interesting - again. Which reminds me that I said I would write about something deeper. I was just talking to someone about politics. So politics it is.

Disclaimer: I know little about politics. Well actually I know a bit, but it may not be right, and my source of information of late appears to be 'mock the week'.

From what I can tell, the British Government seems a bit crap. It also seems to me that it will stay this way even if a new party gets elected. The Conservatives aren't going to do anything different. Maybe tighten up immigration restrictions, which won't make a lot of difference since we are already up to capacity of what our country can handle in terms of amenities. Should the Liberal Democrats get into power, then I doubt they would change much because they wouldn't really be expecting to get into power.

Which leaves us pretty stuck. I haven't looked at any of their policies, so they may be promising to change stuff, but ultimately things will stay the same. Hopefully the country will stabilise at least.

From what I can tell, we are heading for a recession - well we are already in one, but it is going to worsen. Important government documents are continuously being leaked, or left on the train. A lot of pointless laws are being passed, and a lot of unfair initiatives are being introduced/have been introduced. One example: EMA. Couldn't this be better regulated? It is a great idea, although everyone not on it complains that they don't get paid to go to school. But even so, I have heard countless stories of incredibly rich people that qualify for it because their parents don't earn more than the required amount for some reason. Some loop hole I think. My friend's parents are millionaires. He always has a lot of money. He skips lessons. He then writes on the EMA form that he was ill. Then goes and collects his weekly money. Better regulation is needed here I think.

(EMA is a weekly allowance that students receive if they qualify and go to all their lessons.)

Another thing that was talked about recently was health and safety. This really has gotten out of hand. They would have us all housebound if they could. With the walls padded, and nothing we could injure ourselves on. Teachers no longer do school trips because of the paperwork. A teacher friend of my parents was complaining that her pupils were not allowed to go outside unsupervised. There are no other teachers to help supervise, so her pupils have a worse time, she has more stress. There are so many incidences where health and safety overrules common sense. A child will live if it grazes it's knee. (unless it contracts MRSA or something)

So there are problems everywhere. I just remembered the NHS. That isn't great either is it.

But to be honest the government is probably not doing to badly. The media only reports on the bad things. They blow them up to make them seem worse than they are too. This is why I do not watch the news anymore. It makes me depressed.

Lets just say the government is doing its job, they aren't perfect, but they are probably trying. After all they are under scrutiny from everyone. Besides, few people our going to make the effort to go and change it. We'll all manage. Let the complaining stop. It's not like we are in a dictatorship. Be happy.

This might seem a radical change of heart, but it's only because I remembered how bad the media is. If anyone should be taking stick, it's the news, it's the tabloids. The government is going to try and sort the problems out as best they can. Why doesn't everyone just leave them alone?
Their personal lives at least. I am aware that this is how a democracy works, and the media are important. But is it really necessary to invade their personal lives?

This post has become rather jumbled. Next time I'll post on the media. It won't be all over the place.