I am sure most of us would like to raise our children with all the right values. Many of us do go to lengths to see that they do not pick up traits that is harmful to the society in a bid to create a holistic society that is more tolerant and respectful of the other. And, this is urgently needed today even as we wake up everyday to horrifying news about molestation, a childhood gone wrong, tolerance plummeting to lower levels and apathy growing to newer heights. However, I really feel dismal about the future as I observe how a section of adult population thinks and acts, setting a bad precedent for the next generation.
I am a member of my apartment forum- a space for the community residents to discuss issues and share news regarding the gated community. Many a times, issues are blown out of proportion with more people disagreeing about a particular point and taking the topic thread to a very different level from where it started. It is interesting to note how each thread gets almost 50 responses added to it within no time of it being started. Of late the kind of responses to certain issues thrown up has drawn me to realize how actually so many people think alike and respond in a manner that seems to disregard everyone else that do not form a party of their limited circle. It is only the "I, me, myself" stance that echos largely from all the group discussions.
Issues are made out of non-issues. Every small point raised as a suggestion or just as a small concern has 50 other people pouncing on the first person, shooting down the idea/suggestion given, raising other ugly/petty counter-concerns that of course might have been triggered off because the suggestion involved a miniscule amount of inconvenience to them. Just to cite an example: a small issue about having a bus-load of non-resident school children entering the complex premises has been blown out of proportion with concerns like security and petty concerns like road-maintenance, etc thrown in. The initial thread that was started to discuss one thing lead to a series of unnecessary detour on the issue and people really stooping low with their thinking and mentality.
"I don't care about what others go through. I pay the maintenance and it is my at most duty to see that I do not accommodate even an ant to enjoy the privileges that I get. Mind you, I will not contribute even iota of my time, resources to help the committee (that is set up to see that the community functions smoothly and the privileges offered do reach the people) do its job. I will make all possible attempts to put a spoke in the wheel whenever some changes are suggested because I can't compromise for larger benefit. "
With such an attitude prevailing in a community of just 500 odd residents, is it any wonder that the society at large is going to the dogs? Is it any surprise that the city newspapers have crime reports filling out every page? Is there any hope that tomorrow if I am stuck in any trouble, I can expect help from strangers?
I know, I sound very pessimistic. I believe, there is still some good left and I do hear of positive and heartening reports of good Samaritans but is the 'Good' good enough for the wicked and selfish who seem to growing manifold?
true..having an opinion is one thing but having petty thoughts and making unreasonable demands is not a done thing.
Hmm :) I have really no idea what to tell you .. I fill in fairy tales to my kid and create a bubble of happiness around me and stay in it.. Thats selfish too,aint it?
hmm..but how long can the fairy tales last?
AS a society, we are progressing in technology, innovation, wealth - and sadly lagging behind in every other aspect of civilization! Courtesy, empathy, kindness, generosity...where are they?
I know, these words have lost their meaning..or at least losing slowly..
u were not pessimistic uma... i can say exactly!, totally.. and what not.. i even shared d blog with d hubby, its sad thats how things are getting, luckily our society is not filled with many of such morons and the fw like this are ignored, i can imagine the plight if most of them are like that..
well, we do have a mixed bag of people and not all are like this..the society is still good because of these good selfless people.
yep, a mixed bag here too..and yes flouting rules has become quite a common affair.
Not pessimistic.. that's the sad reality and unless we speak about it, nothing is going to happen. Well as of now, nothing is happening anyways.. this part of the world is certainly going to the dogs.
quite a hopeless situation it seems..
So many of us have been feeling the same way Uma.. started a post on a similar line, don't know if I can get it out of my system and complete it though..
Love the way you have drawn the parallel to behaviour in a smaller society vs society in general..
I agree with you.. i have been a part of a lot of discussions and this is what generally happens... every person disregards the ideas of every other person and tries to put his own idea above others'... ultimately the discussion takes a different route altogether and becomes absolutely inconclusive..
group discussion generally take a horrible route if unmanned..
hmm..in a way we need to hold on to whatever shred of goodness is still left.
I know, the lengths people go to to make their points and enforce it is quite pathetic.
I sooooo get this.... but atleast this is about real life.
U knw I used to be part of a forum which discussed tv serials....and u really dont want to know wht went on there. In the name of the serial and the actors these fans hardly knew how thye used to behave was totally unbelievable.
Just because there is a forum where we can air out our thoughts we tend to take it like a platform where we are king and everybody shd listen to us and only wht we say is correct and those who agree with me also are correct but those who don't, have an agenda against us or less educated or less cultured and whatnot.