Since writing last nite about the new revelations of torture in Iraq, I find myself in a very familiar place. It’s that place where no other news of the day can even begin to inspire in me the passion to write, because so much of it seems so inconsequential in comparison to this continuing inhumanity that is, for the most part, ignored on a very wide scale.
Just as people turn away from knowing too much about the catastrophe of genocide in Sudan, along with similar stories that reach us day after day about unholy uses of power around the world that leave our fellow human beings as mere shells where spirits once soared, we do so because our pain is just too great when we feel so incredibly helpless to effect any change. It’s an understandable reaction. To immerse oneself in the reality to any great extent seems to be the luxury of those directly involved in providing aid to those who suffer.
The acknowledgment of suffering has its own saturation point. Witness the grief for the victims of the Indonesian tsunami or the horror after viewing the situation in NOLA after Hurricane Katrina. It seems that many think that once they have done their part by donating money or expressing their outrage, the only thing left is to let someone else sort out the details. Meanwhile, the survivors must cope for years as they literally get their houses back in order. More often than not, they rightfully feel forgotten.
And so it is with the victims of torture in Iraq.
In all of this, I need to remind myself that my fellow bloggers on the left may seem to have moved on at times when they simply post about the latest Republican scandal or the most recent poll numbers for candidates in the upcoming elections in the US but, in the whole scheme of things, the work that they do on a daily basis that contributes to support for greater human and civil rights via the push for true democratic values by aiming at retaking Democratic control of the congress cannot be seen in a vacuum. Their goal – my goal – is to inform people about the need for change and to encourage broader conversations about how that can be achieved.
The current power structure must be challenged and, while we must not rely too heavily on governments which move notoriously slowly – tangled in the bureaucracy they have created – we have to concede they have the power to effect policies that can and do reach the people who are suffering. Where they often fail is in their single-minded approach to grasping power for the sake of power itself – forsaking their duties as stewards of humanity and that is where individual citizen advocacy comes in.
No matter how hopeless or futile it may seem as we find ourselves wrapped in the pain of people we cannot ever personally know who live thousands of miles away, we all have a duty to express our deep concern and to support humanitarian organizations who do the direct work that we cannot. They exist not only to act on the victim’s behalf, but to act on behalf of the rest of us as well and they often do so in relative obscurity as we fight amongst ourselves over our political differences.
If we are unable to come together to end inhumane treatment because we are so selfishly focused on claiming the moral high ground, people will simply continue to be tortured, abused, raped, molested, wounded and killed and their fates will have gone unnoticed.
We are too far removed – emotionally, spiritually and intellectually.
One of the great failures of the large, community-based blogs that have become so popular in the past few years is the huge amount of time simply wasted on discussing ‘meta’ issues – concerns about the community structure or the personalities involved. They really should be renamed ‘me’ issues. On any given day, you can find thousands of comments on blogs like Daily Kos, Booman Tribune and My Left Wing that only serve the participants themselves: arguments about who is or isn’t on the ‘recommended list’, discussions about hurt feelings over ratings, intellectual exercises in ‘community development’, attacks on community members with differing viewpoints that challenge the conventional wisdom – all simply a colossal waste of time and energy.
None of these endless conversations has so far helped those communities to get beyond their problems. No one can know how these still new blogging communities will actually develop. What members fail to realize is that, simply allowing these forums to be what they are and to grow and change as they will – just as life ebbs and flows in unpredictable directions – would release them to focus on real life changes that directly impact the lives of the people they are fighting for who have been the victims of inhumanity.
There simply is too much emotional, spiritual and intellectual snobbery in these communities that diverts much needed focus from real world issues. The self-centered navel gazing comes at the expense of people who are subjected daily to horrific abuse in faraway countries and in their home countries as well. Before anyone chimes in with the idea that these communities can actually walk and chew gum at the same time, I’d challenge them to justify the imbalance of the energy expended on these meta issues as opposed to discussions about situations that impact peoples’ daily lives. Each of us only has a limited amount of time and energy each day with which to impact someone’s life. When those resources are wasted, they cannot be regained. Time is gone. Energy that could have been better spent can never be reclaimed.
What more would you have me do, you ask? I would respond simply by suggesting that some thought be given to the fact that all we really have is this moment. The only thing we really have control over is how we live this moment. The only impact we can measure is that affected by what we choose to do with this moment. And, if this moment is spent on insignificant issues about ‘me’, it is lost forever to those who need you to focus on them.
(crossposted from liberal catnip to Booman Tribune and My Left Wing. I do not post on Daily Kos.)
what? no more diaries about me?
Only if they include pics of the real (puppy) Booman. 😉
are you sure this diary isn’t really about Armando?
are you sure this diary isn’t really about Armando?
Yes. But don’t tell him that. It will make his head explode.
To hear Armando tell it, all diaries are about him.
Have you checked out his new blog? I need to visit that in measured steps. I don’t know how much right-wingery I can take at a time.
Thanks, I did see it briefly a few days ago.
While I would agree that energy is best spent focusing on larger and not “meta” issues, some inward-gazing is inevitable (and necessary) in any human organization, including blogs. I’m not sure how much is “too much” but the cycles of meta issues seem to fall short of that measure.
If every few months there is an adjustment or cycle where normally attentive bloggers let off steam, I would respectfully submit that this is a necessary “evil”. By and large this and other blogs tend to focus on the big picture.
Catnip, I mean no disrespect, but I’m not sure how often you view this site, having your own to attend to. But it seems to me that the time spent on inward-gazing issues is small compared to the good work done here by many members who need not be named.
I see a gramaatical error there that I need to correct and will do so.
I check into this site on an almost daily basis. I have watched the discussions since I left to start my own blog. No one can deny that, if you want to get a huge discussion going on any of these community blogs, you just need to post a diary about conflicts in the community. These diaries generate hundreds of comments – even here at BT.
I don’t disagree that with change and controversy comes the need for discussion. But, from what I’ve observed, this cycle seems to consist of these processes:
personal rant
members attacking each other
members deciding to leave
tighter cliques being formed
members ‘loving’ each other forsaking all others
staking of the moral high ground
members who don’t know what the hell happened
members who couldn’t be bothered to stay in what they see as a hostile environment
lather, rinse, repeat
These things may need to happen, but the scale at which they play out is often way out of proportion to the issues at hand.
In the end, it’s all simply about respecting each other as people and acknowledging that change happens and no one person or clique of people can control it and then it’s simply time to let go.
I have ackowledged the “good works” these blogs do. There is no denying that. They are a force to be reckoned with. My only dispute is with the fact that these meta issues interfere with the possibility of so many more “good works” being done, simply due to the large amount of attention and energy they attract.
It’s like being in a personal relationship, constantly focused on questions like “where is this going? what did that mean?” etc – which takes away from enjoying the relationship itself. Attention must be paid, no doubt, but there must be a balance.
Ironically, this diary may also become one of those distractions, unfortunately. But, I think my message is very simple
It does seem to follow that pattern, doesn’t it?
But let’s say you have a blog community of a dozen people, it’s quite possible that you’ll never have a conflict.
But anything over that and there are bound to be differences. I happen to hate GBCW diaries and “OMG what’s happened to the peaceful pond” diaries. People move on. People talk about their differences…it’s how we learn and grow.
I think behind the scenes support is crucial for members of blog communities such as this. Heck, it’s necessary for people like me who have solo blogs. That’s a great forum for working out personal issues and seeking much-needed support and I know it helps me stay focused on the bigger picture.
single issue, I would recommend reading this diary over several times, and thinking hard about choosing that path. It is not an easy one, and you may find that some of the more indirect “activism” avenues do not offer you the opportunities for which you had hoped.
Human rights is, after all, a controversial issue, a “hot button” issue, if you prefer, and within the context of the traditional business of party politics, not only the outrage and suffering “fatigue” catnip outlines so succinctly, but pragmatism also may be a factor.
The nature of one’s desire to “help” is an intensely individual question, and one size does not fit all.
There are many fine NGOs and organizations that can give you those more direct and immediate victim-centered opportunities, some of them are large and famous, others may be smaller and more informal, of the type that will find you, if it is your desire to be found.
Isn’t every issue one of human rights?
shhhhhhhh..
;D
Let me add one thing that I wrote as a response to someone at My Left Wing (where some people are getting pretty defensive about what I’ve written):
My intention was not to scold anyone here. I save that for Bush and his supporters.
I fully understand the need to discuss community development issues and I have the highest regard for the amazing amount of activism that occurs each day as a result of the messages that result from these blogs. I’m just concerned about this constant need to somehow make these communities work when, in fact, if you simply step away and look at the larger picture – they are working and working extremely well. Minor issues on that front are garnering way too much attention and perhaps that fosters the feeling that so much more improvement is needed when, actually, it’s not.
That’s precisely why I dislike GBCW diaries and those that seem to endlessly examine the dynamics of a site.
Let’s all just get over ourselves and get things done.
Catnip, you’ve made me think about a lot of things that might or might not fit in with the very important point you’ve made here.
Mostly, I think about the overwhelming number of issues we need to be engaged with. I just get so overwhelmed that I become immobilized about what I actually CAN do. And this very medium we’re talking about is what sometimes feeds that feeling.
And to make matters worse/or better depending on your point of view, I spend 40-50 hours per day running a non-profit where we’re trying to help some of the kids and families who are living with the political policies that have left our urban areas in ruin.
So, I feel absolutely lost and exhausted when I hear yet one more thing that I need to care about. I do care – but unless there is something immediate that I can do about it – I just get more angry or depressed, depending on my mood at the time.
So maybe some of these meta issues are really just our way of trying to live out some of our struggles in real life in a way that we think we can touch and feel. Relationships, even on-line ones, feel real and tangible, and something we can actually do something about.
Please don’t take any of this as anything more than the stream of consiousness that your diary provoked for me. I’d appreciate any more concrete thoughts that others have about this.
I agree with a lot of what you’ve put out there.
My interpretation of this whole blogging thing, fwiw, is this… human beings crave attention. one way or another. we can crave it in a ‘worship me’ way or in a more constructive ‘hey, i’m here and have a point of view too’ kind of way or in a ‘hey, i’m a bit vulnerable and need support’ way or even by lashing out because that gets attention too and sometimes we all feel like no one is listening.
but all in all people will talk meta because it’s much more relevant to them immediately, sitting at the keyboard, stresses of daily life around them all over the place and in need of some kind of attention or, for lack of a better word, community, or a sense of belonging. So when conflicts arise, which they always will the larger a place grows (or for an analogy, the neighbourhood watering hole that just got hip…), people will want to vent about their point of view. Some do so online directly, others take a break, others go elsewhere and some just lurk and avoid the conflict completely.
But everyone is unique and handles things in a different way. We won’t always agree, nor should we. I certainly dont want to become freeprepublic but with frogs… nor do i want to turn into big orange. so sometimes, bottom line, is you need to walk away before you hit “post” and take a moment to realize that maybe that point of view is not one you share, it may even hurt you or make you uncomfortable. So take a deep breath and try to make your points like you would to your best friend. Or your grandmother. Or your boss. Or the judge. No one is saying anyone has to not express themselves, just do so while recognizing we are all a unique human being who may see things differently, ,been raised differently, or just be having a cranky day.
That’s a community. Or maybe a PTA meeting, I dunno.
But meta’s will always be around, and maybe they need to be once in a while… keep trying to make each other understand. But just going round in circles doesn’t help much. And there are bigger issues out there which need all our focused energy on. So meta, let it all out, take a walk and get back to building bridges and challenging assumptions.
Whew… I think that turned into stream #3 while I wasn’t looking…
Long time no see. (((hugs)))
{{{hugs}}} back at ya. Good to see you too, I’ve been bogged down in my day to day meta and haven’t had much energy to expend even more of it in blogtopia 😉
nor have I been able to shake the feeling that V is going to take over CNN at some point in the near future & demand justice from the pretzel… so perhaps I don’t need to bother afterall… it’s all just one long episode of 24 or something. Or maybe the Stepford Wives.
okay. stop. rambling. now.
😉
Thanks so much for your comments and let me thank you for the great work you’re doing with kids and families. That’s outstanding and it never ceases to amaze me just how many people are living what they’re blogging about on a daily basis.
So maybe some of these meta issues are really just our way of trying to live out some of our struggles in real life in a way that we think we can touch and feel. Relationships, even on-line ones, feel real and tangible, and something we can actually do something about.
I agree and, not to be too clinical here but because you’ll probably relate, I sometimes see these blogs as a metaphor for a board or general meeting for a non-profit (having worked in one myself) where it’s absolutely necessary to talk about policies and politics, and to develop action plans.
Imagine this: you’re in the middle of the meeting and make your point about something and someone suddenly stands up and says, “Hey! You hurt my feelings and, if I could, I’d troll rate that comment you just made so it would just disappear. Then I’d feel a lot better! Oh…and your breath stinks too!!”
🙂
Okay, that was a bit extreme, but you get my drift. There are appropriate ways and times to deal with personal hurts.
I think you quite rightly made the point that we’re also loaded with our issues when we get to these communities too – the personal and the political. As a result, sometimes our feelings come out sideways in a way that really wasn’t meant to hurt anyone. It’s just a result of overload.
Spidey made the point about stepping back. That’s where I think she nailed it. It can be too tempting at times to open our baggage online for all to see and the results can be disastrous. And, at times, we release baggage that we didn’t even know we had.
I think one feature of BT that is a spectacular bonus is the cafe. I never spent much time there because I’m more impersonal than many, I suppose, and choose to let myself out in what I write. But, I have seen the bonds between community members flourish there and move their way outside of the cafe to the other diaries. That has a great influence on the community. The only caution I’d provide is that those bonds must be open to all in the wider community (except the wingnut trolls – who are just annoying), no matter how much or how little they participate overall. Not just by saying ‘come on in and join us’, but by respecting that that type of environment may not be one desired or needed by everyone.
I lost my train of thought. Anyway, I won’t keep you any longer! I just wanted to say thanks.
Loads of wisdom there – thanks to both you and spider.
One final thought from me – sometimes I do think that I’d love to just pick one issue and put ALL my energy into it and not even think about all the rest. But isn’t that just the problem us liberals have – we love diversity and community!
I guess you’ve all figured out by now that I don’t live in some parallel universe where there are 40-50 hours in a day. I guess that’s what happens when you let the stream flow – typos.
There’s been a lot of recent commentary about “community”, and about the challenges involved with “community” in the blogs. I’m no expert on these things but I want to throw in my two cents.
It seems to me that no “community” is destined to thrive or endure for very long if it doesn’t have at it’s core some version of the fundamental ethos that “A rising tide lifts all boats”; a principle that basically encourages us to work for the common good and which also entreats us to realize that when we behave in such a way as to bring benefit to ourselves at the direct expense of others then we are in fact undermining the very foundation of humanity upon which a community derives it’s strength and purpose.
Whether a blog becomes the focal point around which a community develops is another story. I visit plenty of blogs everyday, regular ones I never fail to check out. In the commentary in some of these blogs I detect a sense of community, and in others I do not. And even despite my deep appreciation for many of the blogs I visit, I do not always seek to become a part of those that are communities, nor do I regard the ones that don’t have that “community” feel to them as somehow inferior or less valuable to me.
I do feel myself a part of the community here at BooTrib. For me this is my “bloghome” so to speak. And because I feel connected here I am able to strengthen my own ability to be respectful of others and to at least seek ways to establish common interest and to work for the common good, and to do these things as much as I’m able even when I may disagree with someone else’s perspective.
Anyway, that’s all I want to say. I don’t always see eye to eye with fellow BooTribbers on many issues here, but I do sense that there is a reservoir of deep respect and a basic desire for the common good amongst virtually all of us here, even if we aren’t always able to demonstrate that attitude as fully as we might like. I believe most of us here fully grasp the ideal enshrined in the “Rising tide lifts all boats” meme, and that is, for me, an indispensible cornerstone for any community I’d choose to be a part of.
Uh, catnip, why did you delete your diary on MLW? Don’t you know that is NOT COOL? There were some wonderful and amazing comments on it, that you had no right to delete by getting rid of the diary.
That’s OK though. I have the whole thing saved on my computer. The diary will be back.
Stalking me now, eugene?
As I told you and Maryscott, that diary is legally my property and I told you why I removed it from My Left Wing.
You want to get sued? Bring it on.
cute…a meta diary pretending not to be one!
i love it.
what keeps me coming is righteous, twisted snark…
there is nothing like it to keep reminding one that lefty bloggers have the best sense of humour on the planet.
nor anything so good for bucking up the spirit to focus again and again on why we’re so outraged, and what to do about it.
now where were we?
ah yes, abu ghraib…
Catnip, you’re making a whole helluva lot of sense – I hope that isn’t too overwhelming.
Personally, I start next week with my volunteer work, once I finish moving out of disfunctional ex-girlfriend’s house and into my own apartment. My work will be with my political party the German Party of Democratic Socialist (PDS) and the European New Left. Remember when Ferris Bueller said in the shower about skipping school: “Today we have a test on European Socialism… I don’t care, I’m not European or a Socialist.” Well, I’m not yet European either, but I must admit and it isn’t an exaggeration to say, that partial-socialized medicine probably saved my life very recently. How can I contribute back to society – by becoming politically involved. So I’ll stuff envelopes, put up posters, hand revolutionary pamphlets out to children in school yards (just kidding about the last one…maybe). What ever it takes.
Good diary! Excellent point.