The Resolution Revolution
Resolution
1) the act of resolving or determining upon an action, course of action or method.
This year, as many before, has been filled with drama, tragedy, pain and struggle. It seems more so than usual sometimes by the attention it receives on Social media outlets (which I really have mixed feelings on ) and National media outlets (which I have become skeptical in the purpose of any stories they report.)
The positive uses of social media are the ones I enjoy. Being able to connect and exchange ideas with people of either like mind or people we may never otherwise speak to, as well as experience different perspectives of the world, the world being comprised of different perspectives . I have to say, I enjoy speaking to people with different perspectives most.
The negative however is a serious one. The spread of Ignorance, Intolerance, Bigotry, and Hate. I, as I'm sure you have too, have been seeing this and it's effects increasingly so this year.
"Like most early enthusiasts, I always thought the way the Internet encouraged multitasking made users less vulnerable to manipulation, while simultaneously exploiting even more of our brain's capacity than before. Apparently not."
Douglas Rushkoff
Beliefs and opinions are great and having them as well as the freedom to share them is something I will always defend, but neither are relevant unless you can discuss or defend them civilly and intelligently. So goes my issues with social media. Social media in the hands of the ignorant and naive is so very dangerous.
"Social engineering is using manipulation, influence and deception to get a person, a trusted insider within an organization, to comply with a request, and the request is usually to release information or to perform some sort of action item that benefits that attacker."
Kevin Mitnick
The spread of misinformation or plain out falsehoods may seem harmless, but when these falsehoods turn into opinions and opinions turn into beliefs, and those beliefs reach out to millions naive enough or ignorant enough to not challenge what they read or hear or see, to blindly accept all they are told as truth, well, as we have seen lately, they are capable of bringing cities to its knees and turning friends against each other. They are capable of spawning hate and violence and intolerance. They are capable of turning sense and logic irrelevant.
"It is the mark of an intelligent man to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
So says Aristotle. A lesson many, I believe, should learn to use.
Tonight as we end another year, many will be making a resolution to end some bad habits such as eating, smoking, drinking and so on. Our gyms will be filled with people attempting to get in better shape. We will be encountering rude people who are trying to shake an addiction but we will continue to read these negative posts and stories. We will continue to come across falsehoods and pseudo truths used only to spread propaganda and ideology. We will continue to see hate and violence and we will continue to experience a world so many are forcefully pushing into our own.......or....
"The only true source of politeness is consideration."
William Gilmore Simms
Our Resolution
I propose that tonight, as we attempt to be better and healthier people for ourselves and our family, we also make an attempt to be a better person for our world and those we share it with. We attempt to change how we view our reality.
We make a resolution to put the time and research into an idea, opinion or belief.
We make a resolution to challenge all we read and hear and see.
We make a resolution to speak to people we may not usually speak to.
To experience life through someone else's eyes.
To deny the urge to generalize people, to fear people because we are told we should.
We make the resolution to have the courage to challenge our own beliefs. To not except an ideology based on tradition .
Make a resolution to listen without responding.
To respond with the acknowledgment of the possibility that what you say may just change someone's reality.
Tonight, when the year resets itself, I want you to thank the creator for another year, to kiss your loved ones and prepare yourself for your resolution-
to change the way you think and in doing so, change the world.
Don't be Afraid, that ringing you hear in your ears is just a bit of
BRAYN NOISE
