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Originally posted by bandito
I cried . I was out , without communication for several days and come home to find my portfolio down $60,000.00 , running with loose stops . Mainly uranium stocks . Now the middle east , not so much because the oil stocks are doing quite well . The gold stocks are up a lot so i'm not losing any sleep over those . Fairly sure i'll make it back in the uranium stocks as it's only the people who jump off the roller coaster that get hurt so i'm staying in . Feel bad about the Japanese folks but can't say that i've been doing any crying over it . We all have our own tear thresh hold and money is definately mine .
Originally posted by westcoast
I'm struggling a bit in how to start this. To convey what it is that has been plaguing me since the 9.0 quake in Japan. No, that is not completely accurate. It started before that. It bothered me last year too during the Haiti quake, and the Chili quake and the BP oil spill. But this past week it just seems to be even worse.
You know, I like so many others here lately on ATS had a growing sense these last couple of weeks that something really bad was going to happen. It was almost like a symptom of our societies illness weighing on us and we knew it had to burst out somewhere soon. Not the quake itself, but the reactions afterward. It is just so obvious to me and I feel like so few other people even recognize it for what it is. Do you? Do you see it? Do you feel it weighing heavy around you like an oily smoke that you don't want to breath in but there is no where else to go?
I have posted no less than ten different links to articles and videos on first the quake, the tsunami, the nuclear catastrophe and the horrific struggle for survival on my facebook these past four days. Do you know how many 'likes' I got? Two or three. Do you know how many people commented? Three. I have a lot of 'freinds'. It may seem like a funny thing to have bother me, but I have found that Facebook is actually a pretty good thermometer for our society.
It is really bothering me. Have you cried? Have you looked at the images of people being swept away, the horrific screams of the onlookers as they watched their homes and loved ones ripped away from them and felt something other than your own selfish needs? Does it move you? Or do you click on the next link, hit the pause button and instead choose to read about Charlie Sheen because it is just so much easier?
I understand the need for normalcy. I realize it isn't healthy to dwell in a misery that you can't do anything about. But it certainly isn't normal to ignore the pain of others just becuase it is unpleasant to think about. Last year I was at work when I realized the full terror of the Haiti quake. I began to cry. It was just light, quiet, a few tears that only a couple of people noticed. When I told them why, I was met with completey blank looks. It didn't even register on their faces. These were nurses. Parents. People. They simply didn't care or didn't allow themselves to care. Absolutely no empathy.
Empathy. The capacity to recognize and share feelings of hapiness or sadness of another person. To care. To love.
The capacity of caring that I have seen in most people since this tragedy in Japan began, is whether or not they have to worry about radiation spreading to their part of the world. Much easier to concentrate on a threat that most likely wont happen rather than the million plus people that are without water, electricity and food in sub-freezing weather fighting for survival.
The Japanese as a society will survive. They are a strong community built on honor and pride. They don't loot from there neighbor because they are vulnerable, but will help each other to rebuild because it is the honorable thing to do.
Us? I'm not so sure. I fear for us. I fear for our apathy and sense of entitlement. We don't think we should have to work for our happiness anymore, but that we deserve it. No matter what the cost. What has it cost you? Do you take care of your parents after they are old and feeble, do you look out for your neighbor when they are sick or in need? Do you extend a hand to a stranger asking for help or look away because it is just easier that way?
My soul is aching. It is a physical pain. But you know what? It is so much better than not feeling anything at all.
Originally posted by cosmicpixie
Well at least you're honest but I'm sure you are aware people will want to slam you for that cold post. I say to those people, don't bother guys as this one is just looking for some attention.
Originally posted by Rocky Black
reply to post by dalloway
Dont be sad. It's ok. The people are very stong and deteermined to resolve this and like I said in my other post they will risk their lives for the good of Japan and for the good of the people.
If you cry it is ok and is very normal.
It is hard to see anyone suffering especially the young and old.
Fell not sadness by feel happy that these people are doing everything the can to prevent a catastophy like none have seen.
Be postitive and hope for the best .
Originally posted by HADOUKEN
It may sound repugnant and I'm sure I'll get flamed, but I truly don't care. I'll look out for my family and a handful close friends when needed, but anyone else is fair game. In my opinion that's how it's supposed to be: no paper currency, no being born into wealth, no illusions of power, just your own ingenuity/ruthlessness. I'm praying for a SHTF scenario where the U.S. just absolutely collapses into chaos. Living, killing, and dieing in that uncertain, terrifying, and unbridled brutality is my biggest fantasy.
But on the other side of the coin, I'd join any type of resistance, armed or otherwise, to destroy the ridiculous system that currently oppresses us all. The rapid dog mentality I'm saving for the possibility of a 'no future' scenario.edit on 16-3-2011 by HADOUKEN because: (no reason given)edit on 16-3-2011 by HADOUKEN because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by westcoast
I'm struggling a bit in how to start this. To convey what it is that has been plaguing me since the 9.0 quake in Japan. No, that is not completely accurate. It started before that. It bothered me last year too during the Haiti quake, and the Chili quake and the BP oil spill. But this past week it just seems to be even worse.
You know, I like so many others here lately on ATS had a growing sense these last couple of weeks that something really bad was going to happen. It was almost like a symptom of our societies illness weighing on us and we knew it had to burst out somewhere soon. Not the quake itself, but the reactions afterward. It is just so obvious to me and I feel like so few other people even recognize it for what it is. Do you? Do you see it? Do you feel it weighing heavy around you like an oily smoke that you don't want to breath in but there is no where else to go?
I have posted no less than ten different links to articles and videos on first the quake, the tsunami, the nuclear catastrophe and the horrific struggle for survival on my facebook these past four days. Do you know how many 'likes' I got? Two or three. Do you know how many people commented? Three. I have a lot of 'freinds'. It may seem like a funny thing to have bother me, but I have found that Facebook is actually a pretty good thermometer for our society.
It is really bothering me. Have you cried? Have you looked at the images of people being swept away, the horrific screams of the onlookers as they watched their homes and loved ones ripped away from them and felt something other than your own selfish needs? Does it move you? Or do you click on the next link, hit the pause button and instead choose to read about Charlie Sheen because it is just so much easier?
I understand the need for normalcy. I realize it isn't healthy to dwell in a misery that you can't do anything about. But it certainly isn't normal to ignore the pain of others just becuase it is unpleasant to think about. Last year I was at work when I realized the full terror of the Haiti quake. I began to cry. It was just light, quiet, a few tears that only a couple of people noticed. When I told them why, I was met with completey blank looks. It didn't even register on their faces. These were nurses. Parents. People. They simply didn't care or didn't allow themselves to care. Absolutely no empathy.
Empathy. The capacity to recognize and share feelings of hapiness or sadness of another person. To care. To love.
The capacity of caring that I have seen in most people since this tragedy in Japan began, is whether or not they have to worry about radiation spreading to their part of the world. Much easier to concentrate on a threat that most likely wont happen rather than the million plus people that are without water, electricity and food in sub-freezing weather fighting for survival.
The Japanese as a society will survive. They are a strong community built on honor and pride. They don't loot from there neighbor because they are vulnerable, but will help each other to rebuild because it is the honorable thing to do.
Us? I'm not so sure. I fear for us. I fear for our apathy and sense of entitlement. We don't think we should have to work for our happiness anymore, but that we deserve it. No matter what the cost. What has it cost you? Do you take care of your parents after they are old and feeble, do you look out for your neighbor when they are sick or in need? Do you extend a hand to a stranger asking for help or look away because it is just easier that way?
My soul is aching. It is a physical pain. But you know what? It is so much better than not feeling anything at all.
However, posting this little rant shaking your finger at people when you aren't getting enough attention with your show of "empathy" on facebook strikes me as rather selfish too. It's all well and good to say "Why aren't you paying attention the them", but it's another thing entirely to say "Why aren't you paying attention to me paying attention to them." Which, because you are lashing out here a bit is at least part of your motivation, though I doubt you will admit it. You are a selfless humanitarian that we should all look up to after all.