Not so Grim News?

Why is it that news sources today are obsessed with death and destruction? The pages flood our senses with images of violence, plague, famine, desolation, and all over unhappiness that we have let to a nationwide, if not worldwide, desensitization to such material. They do this to cater to the wants of their audience. This leads to the obvious question: why would we, as humans, want to read about and observe pictures of such misery and misfortune? Does it make us feel better about ourselves because we are not involved? Does it make us feel more fortunate to be spared and living today? When asked these questions, almost all people would deny their truths. But it is a subconscious guilty pleasure. We bask in the misery of others. We wallow in their misfortunes. We are not sadistic. We are not twisted. We are Americans.

And what does that mean? We live in a capitalistic land of opportunity, built on the principle of "live and let die." For everyone who doesn't make it, that leaves a better chance for you to ascend the corporate ladder and start reeling in the big bucks. There are many obvious problems with this economic philosophy, one of which I briefly addressed. Numerous cures exist, such as socialism, but they are not without their own faults. As good as an ideal sounds, it is just that – an ideal. It will never be anything more than a blueprint utopia. Perfection is unachievable, as humans are inherently flawed on multiple levels. Ideals are unobtainable goals that serve the purpose of giving meaning to those who pursue them, whether they know the goal is well beyond their reach or not. However, the purpose of this writing is not to offer sutures for the inherent disease of America. Instead, I offer my own ideal, in a world whose ego is not centralized on the downfalls of others.

Imagine a news source without mention of death. Actually, there is something better. Imagine a news source that instead of focusing on the apocalypse now, highlights live and prosperity. Imagine a front-page article detailing stable birth rates in third-world countries. Imagine an article expounding technological advancements in agricultural fields. Imagine, instead of an obituary section, there was a section celebrating the anniversary of the births of prominent world figures and reveling in their triumphs. Imagine, for once, not seeing a picture pertaining to the military on the cover. Imagine, for once, not skimming the headlines and groaning at seeing yet another pretentious political scandal or controversial act. Imagine, please, just for once, reading something positive and light-hearted in the news. It's hard isn't it? Everything that makes it into the news is everything that is wrong with the world. Most worthwhile activities pass under the mainstream radar. It doesn't have to be like that.

The revolution will not be televised. Home is where the hatred lies. It is up to the individual to stop breeding contempt in his heart. It is up to him to stop trying to transcend past others and become comfortable with his lot. Only then will the individual stop deriving satisfaction from the pain of others. Only then will he consciously be able to live his life in a meaningful manner. Only then, will he be free. And only then, when the audience has shifted its disposition to appreciate life and its tenets, to loathe disorder and destruction, will the papers accordingly shift their focus. Only then will the world change for the better. Just imagine, just for a minute, such a world that resonates with vivacity. It's the only world I would ever want to live in. I create this world in mind because it really is that simple. Believing is living, and living is believing. This is my manifesto. It is the path less traveled, but far more scenic than tourist routes.