Numb To Tragedy And Horror

What happens when we get used to tragedy and horror? We ignore it. Why do we ignore tragedy and horror? Because:

1. The Media:
• Overexposure:
• The media overexposes us to negative and destructive things. The news is constantly about crises. When we're overexposed to things, we become numb to them because they become familiar.
• Advertisements:
• Tragic stories on TV are interlaced every few minutes with happy ads, which takes away from the true measure of the tragedy.
• Aggressive marketing practices make us focus on ourselves because ads tell us what WE need and what WE should buy, which takes our focus away from others who are in need.
• Sensationalization: 
• The media exaggerates many stories, and audiences pick up this exaggerated presentation. As such, we may become a little jaded and think tragedies aren't as bad as they actually are.
• Competitive News:
• Media organizations compete for audiences, so they're constantly marketing themselves to us. Sometimes it feels as though the news is an ad. We tend to ignore ads, so we tend to ignore the news and the tragic stories being reported.
2. Passive Audiences:
• Watching TV is a passive activity. It's hard to be moved to action when I'm lying on the couch with potato chip crumbs on my belly and a drink in my hand. As such, we don't do anything to help those in need.
3. Stressful Lives:
• Many people live complicated, busy and stressful lives, engaged in many meaningless activities that leaves them worn out. As such, they don't have enough energy to help others because they've used it all up on themselves.
4. We Feel Helpless:
• Some problems seem greater than our ability to help solve them. This is because money, power and authority exists in the hands of a few. If we connect in mutual bestowal and seek to benefit others instead of ourselves, we'll self-govern, and everyone will feel empowered to affect change.
5. Corrupt Organizations:
• During a major catastrophe, people donate money to well established charities, yet due to rampant corruption and mismanagement, funds don't often get through to those in need. This may affect people's willingness to donate.

How can we be moved to action to help those in need? We have to change from personal selfishness to mutual bestowal. We have to rise above our egos and seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.

Our entire society has to change - aggressive marketing practices have to stop, sensationalized reporting has to stop, news has to stop being a business etc.

Tragic events have to be reported in a compassionate, empathetic and truthful way, without any hidden agendas or ulterior motives. Where appropriate, round tables could be established to help those in need.

In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.

Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.