War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. — Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong, 1969 War reporting. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. — Me, today This morning I received a newsletter from a colleague, in which, reflecting on the past few years, he writes
Addendum: I'm finding it bizarre and disturbing that this article about volatile and emotional media reporting is somehow seen as pro-Russia or anti-Ukraine. It is neither. I have great compassion for the victims of war—any war, and those on any side of any war. I'm struggling to find compassion though for those arms dealers and their shareholders making profit from this war, and the media reporters getting cheap accolades while fuelling the fire of hatred. Hate (and fear) started this war. The more people hating on one side (or the other) the worse the war will become. When something isn't working, please don't do more of it.
I am frustrated that people don't hear his message the way I hear it:
In no way has Tobias supported Putin's actions and the war. He was just trying to draw people's attention to the polarization that takes place due to the way modern media chooses to frame things. By naming, labeling, generalizing, comparing, choosing sides, and dividing into good and bad we contribute to the problem and increase the level of hostility and violence in the world.
I think what we see today is the world crisis. When the old mentality of superpowers with their wish to control, divide and conquer, fight for resources and expansion, does not serve humanity any longer.
Unfortunately, when one chooses a neutral observer point of view (in order to try to see things as they are), one often gets both sides of the conflicting parties against oneself.
One can observe all of what is happening by zooming in and by zooming out. It is prudent to do both, especially if you are a policy maker and a news and journalism outfit looking to do good. That's all I'm going to say.
Thanks for this. I'd simply point people to the nuance and an actual international expert on the matter, like I have in other groups. The experts in the field that have been repeatedly speaking about these points and their nuances and actually have done analysis LONG BEFORE THE CURRENT WAR. I'd read the book, the Great Delusion by John J. Mearsheimer or simply look at some of his talks on YouTube.
Thanks for being willing to think more deeply and widely. I'd only add that Putin is a psychopath but he damn sure isn't Hitler by any stretch of the imagination.
Sometimes people need a courage to stop being an observers in real life. Take your own position and name what is happening without attempts to sit on several chairs.
I can understand your perspective - you are not in Ukraine. But I cannot understand, why does an opinion leader distribute (calling) an inactive position during a war that could spread beyond the borders of Ukraine.
I think it's not proper behavior to say something with authority if you were not here in Ukrainian cities which are continuously bombing by Putin's army.
Simply take your wife and your kids, come to Kharkiv on just 1-2 weaks - and only then talk about "good Putin" and "Putin is also human" here is no humanity in his actions but simple madness
"The singular lesson of COVID was to avoid streaming news and social media at all costs." - Have done this and turned out to be a refugee with 3 little kids with my country in a war state. Have to read news to monitor what may happen to my parents in Eastern Ukraine.
"These days, as I've written before we seem to have lost all ability to view the world in a nuanced way" - it's hard to think of nuances when you can't sleep, mix washing machine with sirens or bombing, have to wake up your kids at 4-5 am every day to go to bomb shelter and spend the rest of the day there in unhuman conditions.
"Goodies and baddies are for 5-year-olds, not for thoughtful, discerning adults. This is not an episode of Star Wars. Don't let the press and social media stupefy your brilliant mind. Resist." - wish you and your family luck with this approach and a peaceful sky above your heads.
Tobias - I was not watching closely the situation in Ukraine in the weeks leading up to the invasion. Can you elaborate on your comment on how "...the world prodded and prompted Russia to make this threat a reality."?
Addendum: I'm finding it bizarre and disturbing that this article about volatile and emotional media reporting is somehow seen as pro-Russia or anti-Ukraine. It is neither. I have great compassion for the victims of war—any war, and those on any side of any war. I'm struggling to find compassion though for those arms dealers and their shareholders making profit from this war, and the media reporters getting cheap accolades while fuelling the fire of hatred. Hate (and fear) started this war. The more people hating on one side (or the other) the worse the war will become. When something isn't working, please don't do more of it.
Tobias,
I get what you are saying. You are trying to help people see. "Open my eyes that I may see..."
Truth is truth. We are all fallible and have fallible senses. We are easily persuaded by our emotions.
The media is not objective truth.
"Consensus" is not required for something to be true.
When the media an politicians are heavily pushing a narrative, look behind the curtain.
"Follow the money." - Deep Throat.
I want to support Tobias,
I am frustrated that people don't hear his message the way I hear it:
In no way has Tobias supported Putin's actions and the war. He was just trying to draw people's attention to the polarization that takes place due to the way modern media chooses to frame things. By naming, labeling, generalizing, comparing, choosing sides, and dividing into good and bad we contribute to the problem and increase the level of hostility and violence in the world.
I think what we see today is the world crisis. When the old mentality of superpowers with their wish to control, divide and conquer, fight for resources and expansion, does not serve humanity any longer.
Unfortunately, when one chooses a neutral observer point of view (in order to try to see things as they are), one often gets both sides of the conflicting parties against oneself.
One can observe all of what is happening by zooming in and by zooming out. It is prudent to do both, especially if you are a policy maker and a news and journalism outfit looking to do good. That's all I'm going to say.
Tobias,
Thanks for this. I'd simply point people to the nuance and an actual international expert on the matter, like I have in other groups. The experts in the field that have been repeatedly speaking about these points and their nuances and actually have done analysis LONG BEFORE THE CURRENT WAR. I'd read the book, the Great Delusion by John J. Mearsheimer or simply look at some of his talks on YouTube.
Thanks for being willing to think more deeply and widely. I'd only add that Putin is a psychopath but he damn sure isn't Hitler by any stretch of the imagination.
Sometimes people need a courage to stop being an observers in real life. Take your own position and name what is happening without attempts to sit on several chairs.
I can understand your perspective - you are not in Ukraine. But I cannot understand, why does an opinion leader distribute (calling) an inactive position during a war that could spread beyond the borders of Ukraine.
Fucking piece of ignorant shit. I hope you will be thinking about the "nuances" as missiles hit your home.
I think it's not proper behavior to say something with authority if you were not here in Ukrainian cities which are continuously bombing by Putin's army.
Simply take your wife and your kids, come to Kharkiv on just 1-2 weaks - and only then talk about "good Putin" and "Putin is also human" here is no humanity in his actions but simple madness
Are you ready to visit Ukrainian cities - Mariupol, Kharkiv? Are you ready to take your children there? Justo to be sure!
The only polite word in my mouth is - SHAME!
"The singular lesson of COVID was to avoid streaming news and social media at all costs." - Have done this and turned out to be a refugee with 3 little kids with my country in a war state. Have to read news to monitor what may happen to my parents in Eastern Ukraine.
"These days, as I've written before we seem to have lost all ability to view the world in a nuanced way" - it's hard to think of nuances when you can't sleep, mix washing machine with sirens or bombing, have to wake up your kids at 4-5 am every day to go to bomb shelter and spend the rest of the day there in unhuman conditions.
"Goodies and baddies are for 5-year-olds, not for thoughtful, discerning adults. This is not an episode of Star Wars. Don't let the press and social media stupefy your brilliant mind. Resist." - wish you and your family luck with this approach and a peaceful sky above your heads.
Tobias - I was not watching closely the situation in Ukraine in the weeks leading up to the invasion. Can you elaborate on your comment on how "...the world prodded and prompted Russia to make this threat a reality."?