Observations

Having been almost completely deprived of access to the net for the past ten or twelve days, I have a few observations about things in general.

So, here in random order are a few of 'em.

1. Ignorance is a Willful Disease.

We in the blogosphere, I think, tend to become used to being well informed. We seek out information, be it to post in our own works, or to enjoy the mastery of other blogs as they write brilliant posts on this, that or the other.

The give and take, the debates, the running comment threads.... all serve to deepen our knowledge and sharpen our arguments. Taken as a whole, we who read the blogs are better equipped to report the local news than the most august of so-called journalists. And some of the bloggers out there are so utterly superior, concise and insightful that they rise head-and-shoulders above the very best of the dead-tree media.

I'm talkin' bout you, sis, for one such example.

Conversely, I work around a crowd whose daily media diet consists of an absorption with sports, gossip or celebrity worship. These are some intellegent folks, who make a fine living at their chosen profession.

But, they're ignorant. By choice. Should the shit ever hit the fan, they'll be among the first victims, or the first to queue up for the indoctrination camps. They're like that; they just want to be fed and to be led.

There is not a leader amongst them, and I won't be there to help 'em when they cry out for one.

2. I'm On The Right Track.

My priorities, as unusual as they are, are serving me well. Although I really did get down to nickles and dimes in the preceeding weeks, I am quickly regaining solvency at a respectable rate. I could not say that were I living the typical suburban existence. Yes, I do have regular bills to pay, and I'm far from carefree. But, my destiny isn't tied to a mortgage. Don't assume I don't have goals though. I do, and they're not cheap. Better that my earnings accrue to me, than to a damned mortgage or apartment lease, etc.

3. The Media Sucks.

This ties a bit to point #1. But it bears separate commentary.

Name the network, they suck. All of 'em. Fox is indeed superior, but alas, they too have to cater to a lower common denominator that I care to see. Sadly, we're in an age where news must be "entertaining", in order to garner ratings.

I have no problem with news being a profitable enterprise. But, I wager that it could be done without the reliance on graphics, gimmicks and other tube-candy that the networks all rely upon.

Just give a relentless stream of factual reports, including features on U.S. successes in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa and other world hotspots.

In fact, I'd take it further. I'd really prefer to see the gloves come off out there regarding media bias. Murdoch did a good job with Fox, but I think there's room for a channel dedicated soley to the exposure of media bias and decit.

Let's call it the Accountability Channel.

4. Goodness.

No, not holiness. That's an entirely different topic.

But on the Goodness front, I can't think of a finer population than the blogosphere. Here, I find morals, standards, integrity and actions based theron, in far greater proportion than I do in society as a whole.

Even with all of our collective faults, I'd sooner share a trench with a whole bunch of y'all when the bovine excrement impacts the rotational air impeller machinery, than rely on the stupidtude of the masses.

I've seen the proof of committment from friends in my e-mail and PayPal tipjar. Y'all do more than just post fine words. You act on them.

Quietly, without seeking praise, recognition, glory or aggrandizement.... I am proud and honored to have such friends.

5. To Eat an Elephant.

One bite at a time, as the saying goes.

Coming back to the screen after such an absence, I've spent a large part of the past day just catching up with reading my blogroll! And I can see that I'm miles and miles behind the issues, arguments, comment threads and the like.

There is no way I can catch up to all of that, so I won't even try.

Rather, I'm going to ease back to the keyboard a bit slowly at first. I have to find my way around what's going on out there and just let what happens, happen.

Bear with me, and I'll try to make it an interesting ride for yet another lap around the track.

Comments

[Jack]

Welcome back to the online world, Jim! Those are some mighty strong and accurate observations. I'm glad to hear you're on the right track, and I look forward to your return to regular posting.

[Rivrdog]

Some 35 years ago, when I first went to SEA to participate in that fucked-up war (yes, I actually do have a license to swear!), one of my first tax-free acquisitions was the purchase of a Zenith TransOceanic R-7000 shortwave radio. The best general-purpose portable receiver available at the time. Listening to AFRTS (military radio) was boring and similar to the controlled news of today, so I listened mostly to BBC World Service, which at that point, still objectively reported the news. Concisely. In plain English. The West Germans had good news and so did the Dutch.

I now have the same receiving power in my little Sangean receiver, but there's little to listen to to get the straight story.

I shudder to think that an entire generation has grown up without objective news reporting now. You're right Jim, there is only the blogosphere left in the objectivity world now, and I'm proud to have as one of my major life missions, in the time God leaves to me, making the straight story readable and informative.

If I were a starry-eyed optimist, I would say that maybe the world will learn to look up to the blogosphere as the best source of information, but I doubt it.

What is more likely is that the world's thugs and dictators will ally on this subject, and somehow subvert the 'Net. Enjoy blogging while you can. Kofi Annan is known to be interested in UN control of the Internet. See a recent post on this subject at Four Right-Wing Whackos

http://4rwws.blogspot.com

Ciao, Rivrdog

[lynn]

Love the way your mind works!!!

[baldilocks]

You're a doll. Glad you're back.

[loiq]

Your insight is why I stop by and drop an innane comment or two :

#1)
The blogosphere is where I, now, get my NEWS.These opinions mean more to me than the networks do.You don't tell me what I want to hear, you tell me what you see and hear.
baldilocks,I'm sorry that I haven't dropped you a line in over a month.

#2)
To HELL with suburbia!!

#3)
Reffer to #1)

#4)
Stupidtude...Yes.

#5)
There are bigger Elephants than us.Eat some CBS (if you don't mind the heartburn).

Glad your'e back,

-J

[Anne]

Good to have you back, Jim. You've been missed.

[sexkitten]

Hello, glad to be acquainted. I enjoy your blogs.

[Acidman]

Now get off your dead ass and make up for lost time. I've missed you.

[dragonfly jenny]

Freedom from mortgage or apartment burden is a MAJOR freedom and a major component of my quality-of-life too.

Good post BTW.