I grow weary of people. I look around me and I see so many self-centered, arrogant people. Don't get me wrong, I know we all are trying to scrape by the best existence we can for ourselves. Lately, however, all I seem to observe is a blatant disregard for the lives of others, almost to the point of being malicious in some cases. People who talk to me of their own code of ethics... but fail horribly when it counts. If you talk to me of your code of being honest at all costs, but then want me to lie if it will affect your pocketbook... well you're just a fucking hypocrite. Is there any hope for us at all?
Recently there was a massive storm system that went through tornado alley. The system stretched from Oklahoma to Missouri and carried several tornadoes. Now I am the first to admit that sometimes my thoughts turn to myself before others... but the response to this storm system was appalling. My facebook erupted with pictures and statuses about the storm. Now some were pictures of flooding, or discussing how you were without power. These by themselves are fine, we are simply describing our own situation, sharing what is going on with us, which is the only subject we are the absolute source. But some reactions... I had some people talk about how they had plans this past weekend, and how their life is so horrible because of this storm and the minor inconvenience. Now let me explain the difference. One simply shows the facts, flooding, power outages, scared children, etc. The people who posted these types of things were actually very calm, some even pointed out that as bad as it was for them, it was worse elsewhere. It's when you attach subjective terms and try to gather some sympathy that I lose all (and I mean ALL) respect from me.
Several of you were traveling this weekend, and with the storm, flights were delayed. (duh) Some of you posted status updates about travel delays, so plans will have to be canceled, but you did it in an almost "it could be worse" attitude. "Won't get to see my grandmother this weekend, I guess skype will have to do." For starters, kudos on having a grandmother who can use skype. Secondly, you acknowledge the problem you have with the storm, but in a way that suggests your life has not ended because of it. This is fine. Others however... I had some people say it was their worse weekend ever, one couple commented that it was the worst anniversary in the history of the world because they couldn't get a flight out to California for some "much needed beach time." I had several friends who had birthdays, some actually got into an argument with a friend of mine because this past weekend was the worst birthday in the history of birthdays. Why? Because they had plans and the storm caused their flights to be delayed or canceled, so no one could have ever had a worse birthday than they did last weekend. The friend they were arguing with has a September 11th birthday... but you know, what's a tragedy where several thousand people died compared to you not making a flight?
Let me point something out to that second group of people, the ones who are so self-centered, you view this storm as God being mean to you and making you miss your chance to hit your vacation destination (seriously that was one of the statuses I saw). When last I checked, 9 people lost their lives to this storm, many more lost their homes. Travel was delayed several places because the damage to the cities was too extensive for safe travel. Yet you are angry because you were stuck in some city for an extra day. Who the fuck do you think you are?!
I could go on and on and on about all the things I see about people that irritate or disturb me. Maybe I will over the course of the next few days. But for now, this will have to do.
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