Cosily, Cuttingly, Connected

It is a curse and a blessing of the modern world that we are all connected. Opinions, beliefs, causes or any point of view can be promoted or voiced in seconds with just a few taps on a keyboard. No matter how outlandish or vociferous the view, one can always find a tribe that aligns with one’s point of view.

A generation ago, the name Greta would throw up the memory of Garbo and silent films. These days the image of the angry child-adult, Thunberg, chastising bewildered politicians is a common occurrence. Her cause is one that is, rightfully, close to many people’s hearts, fighting to alert the masses to the dangers of global warming and the Earth’s dwindling resources.

Other causes that have gathered and garner much publicity in these times have been the push for vegetarianism and to become vegan, the body confidence movement, though it has been somewhat hijacked by overweight extroverts taking away attention from those who it was initially started by and for, those who had been disfigured or disabled in some way through no fault of their own.

Many protest, using the argument of global warming, about the proliferation of motor cars, believing that all should adopt the more planet-friendly mode of transportation, cycling, pious in their admonishment of motorists.

Any day of the week, regardless of the subject matter, you can find strangers disparaging one another. Online, everybody is an expert, confident in their right to belittle some stranger who they feel has commented out of turn or expressed a view they do not agree with.

Not that everyone should agree or even necessarily be agreeable, it is just the vehemence with some defend their position or viewpoint, in many cases disdainfully refuting another's argument and insulting them, many times personally, is disheartening from a humane standpoint.

The ability to insult, criticize, ridicule and harass has never been more available to all than in these modern, connected, times. Conversely, there is a belief that everyone has a right to be heard, a right to voice their opinion unless that opinion is unpopular and does not chime with the 'right-minded', highly vocal, masses.

Save the planet, be vegan, save an animal, support a child in a third world country, be spiritual, be positive, practice mindfulness, post beautiful picture and inspirational quotes. If you cannot do these things, what kind of a person are you?

Average, moderate or, god forbid, ordinary, has no place in society anymore. what use are you if you have no strong, quotable opinion? Can you defend your political alliance with narrow-minded, myopic, prejudice? More pertinently, can you destroy all opposition with cruel, unfounded and withering put-downs?

There are two sides to every argument, every discourse; yours and the wrong one. This modern, fast-paced, twenty-first metropolis that we live in only has time for the best, the most aggressive, the number ones.

People talk about mental health and be kind after the event, quickly returning to the mindset that brought about the circumstances they bemoaned. They have an expectation that everyone should not only appreciate their right-mindedness but also applaud them for it.

The meek are inheriting the Earth but not in the way that was expected. they are becoming that which they railed against, hiding behind causes and affectations of disgust at societal ills.

If people really want to change the world, to create a better future for those that are going to follow, they need to start small. Be nice to your neighbour, listen, agree or disagree but remain civil. Because life is short and being right is not the most important thing.