There is so much wrong in the world today. With wars and dictatorship, problems with the environment and nuclear warfare - it's difficult to have faith in much these days. But where do these problems come from? How many Americans really know what is going on in the world? We've all seen that YouTube video where someone walks around asking random strangers question about current events, history, and geography. If you haven't seen it:
It's okay to cry a little.
And... just for some comfort:
In terms of current affairs, America's priorities are not quite up to par. In news searches, the winner of Dancing with the Stars and Christmas shoppers placed higher in popularity than the issue in N. Korea. This should be bothersome.
We can all point fingers and blame other people, but what it comes down to is how self-gratified many of us are. Between social networking sites and this nation's ability to be distracted by bright, shiny objects. Ooh! The iPhone 4! ...What was I talking about?
This generation has had led indulged lives. Things have been so easy. Individualism, while important, is higher on the priority list than many other traits. Throughout grade school, many of us have been coddled. "It's ok. You'll do better next time. 'A' for effort!" Even better yet, lowering the standards for how students should be doing. There are some individuals who do not know the difference between India and Africa, or even know that they are not both countries. But that's ok, they did their best. Now let's all let everyone know on Facebook that we are going to the gym!
In any given classroom, one can look to their left and to their right, and on either side another student is on their phone, text messaging or any other communicative application instead of listening to the teacher. We have successfully grown into technological note passing. Innovation at its finest. One can see the teacher's frustration, as no one has done their homework or is prepared for class. And yet, students still complain that they did not get an amazing grade for the half-assed attempt at an assignment. Instead of accepting defeat and taking responsibility for their actions, they blame the teacher for not being fair.
I must admit there was a tear when I read about the riots due to tuition increase. It's nice to know that there are people out there who do still want to make a difference. These people seem few and far between. I would like to say to those involved: you are rare gems and I appreciate the lack of apathy you possess.
But now I must ask: what is the downfall of society? Is it a terrible leader or is it the glad to be uninformed people?
So I ask of you - log off of your Facebooks and your Twitter accounts, stray your eyes away from the comforting light of a computer monitor to look around. Fight the urge to text your friends about the inane day-to-day activities of your life and turn off Jersey Shore. Read a book, Read the newspaper. Take a day to get informed and understand what you are absorbing so that we can start to hope for something other than apathy.
