Responsibility (n)

The state, quality, or fact of being characterized by good judgment or sound thinking.

A simple word, one which we all talk about, and one which is expected of everyone, especially those who have the power of influence. It is also a word that just could not be used without flinching this past week. This has been one quality that has been shown in such poor light recently.

Look at the media. They have been a complete failure. They know the power that they wield. A single line mentioned on the news, can lead to panic running through everybody's mind. Yet, they failed in the most basic of rules of the media. Verify your sources, and confirm your story before broadcasting. A retraction, or an apology, no matter how soon after the remark, will not have the impact as the damage will already have been done. But these news channels, all they cared about was ratings.

A shocking part of these days was the lack of thought by reporters. No matter what the situation, applying common sense always helps. I can't imagine what they were thinking when they openly narrated military strategy for all the viewers. Don't you think, the very people who are being targeted watch TV, or have access to people who do? What were you thinking? In the drive to "make the public aware", a line was crossed. There is such a thing as too much information. Responsible journalism knows where that line gets drawn, and will never cross it. This was just dumb and irresponsible. But the media, all it cared about was ratings.

These tragic series of events have brought many things to the forefront of people's thoughts. The call for change, the desire for cleansing, the anger of actions. But one of these doesn't get as much coverage, it cant. We need to work on the immaturity of our journalists. They need to know how to act responsibly.

It was a night just like any other.
Then it stood alone.

There's been so much coverage about the gun battles, the grenades, the hostages, but there's been no talk about the impact. All they say is, this is the city that never sleeps. The city with a spirit that cant be broken. The resilience of its people is paraded to the world. Disaster upon disaster strikes the city, and yet the city continues to live, to breathe, and move on.

Why? Not because she can, but because she has to. Its not like she has a choice. A city as bustling as this one, if it stops, its as good as time standing still. And time cant stand still, especially not here. How long can this continue? The people tire, the city bleeds, and lies in a mess.

The tv talks about the spirit. The politicians talk about coming together. The people are just tired, and angry. Talking to friends, I can see their blood boil. The biggest question is "WHY? What do they want? And how do they achieve it by doing this?"

I dont see any sense in trying to ratioalise it, however. Their thought process is just different. They can justify it based on their ideas. To them, like many others, the ends justify the means. There is no real way to see what runs in their mind. There is not much we can do.

No, I'm not saying we just give up and just absorb this. We cant. It will destroy us all. I dont have the answers, I just know anger is what they want, and it serves no purpose.

It was a night just like any other.
Then it stood alone.

Runaway Train

Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there

The train hurtled on down the track. He just sat there, looking out the glass window, watching the scenery rush past. Station after station, the train just steamed on. There hadn't been a stop for sometime now, and he was just enamored by the various views that he was privy to in this journey.

A thought struck him. He decided to get off at the next station. The train just kept moving. The sun rose, the sun set, but the train wouldn't stop. Finally, he just pulled the chain, and the train screeched to a halt.

He opened the door, and stepped out. He should listen more often.

Disconnected

There's been a lot of talk these days of a man who strove for change, who now has to change. A drive that culminates in being cut off from the world, in a way. The argument is that his new role would demand unfiltered information, and all his decrees would have to be made public.

Its been only five years since I entered that bandwagon. From a basic connection, to one with a camera, to the best selling piece this year. I wonder, would I be able to give it up, even for a day? Its already one of the things that I check for before I close the door at home. Is it just me?

Have we become so reliant on the network we have? I hate the irony of using the phrase, "the human network," but is that what we've become? Its already well accepted that we are a social species, and technology seems to have made it easier to be social while being anti-social all the same. "Connecting" with others through our hand-held devices, laptops, while sitting at home or at work. That's evolution!

Don't hang up on me, cause
I'm hung up on you

Haunting times

There used to be an aura of invincibility in the air. No wrong could be done, and nothing could ever have an impact. Yet, time has a nasty way of healing some things, yet cracking others. Under the constant beat of time, even a rock weathers into sand...

BUT

..this sand can do so much more. It drives the world, and causes happiness.

Respect

Money and power, they amount to nothing, unless we have respect. Respect, its the one thing humans chase after. In the struggle to gain it, we can do all sorts of things. Some pander to the masses, sparking the already heated dry leaves that make the populace. Others pander to the masses, soothing the rash that has become the world. In their own way, they try to bring "good" and strive towards excellence in what they do. After all, its all about being respected.

"Respect is the ultimate currency." - The Inside Man.

What do u say?

You have that ideal in your head. One you aspire to. A perfect reunion. A perfect gathering. That one idea, in that one place, at that specific time. The one you plan for in all your dreams.

Then it happens, and you are left speechless. What do you really want to say?

Experience

Personal knowledge from participation, or the actual act of participation? Noun or verb? What strikes your fancy?

An interesting ride, in recent history. From farewells, to introductions. Reconnection seems to be a theme of the year, with so many conversations continuing from their previous pause. A rose. A dance. Some drives. Amazing performances, and them some hard luck. Preparations, and then a big leap. Into the unknown? With a guide?

It is from these experiences that we build our experience.

... and what else?

They just sat there. It didn't matter between whom the conversation transpired, or under what circumstances. After a while they just sat there. Everything just dried up, and one couldn't guess why. Normally loquacious, people just lost their train of thoughts. Maybe it had to happen. Constant contact could lead to a famine. There also existed the possibility that some things aren't meant to be shared. Not with that person. Or maybe you just want to know. And then you have those words "... and what else?"