Your current balance between concern over current events, and taking care of your own life stuff?

brianlux
brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,668
in A Moving Train
How well balanced are you in your day-to-day life between concern for current events (which includes politics, international issues, social issues, economics, and environment/weather/fire, etc.), and keeping your life on track, working to have a good life, etc.?  Because the question is of a personal nature, the poll is anonymous  (but comments would be interesting to hear, of course).  
"It's a sad and beautiful world"
-Roberto Benigni

Your current balance between concern over current events, and taking care of your own life stuff? 27 votes

Currently in "off-the-chart distraction" mode over current events.
3% 1 vote
Highly concerned about current events, mostly keeping my life from sinking.
22% 6 votes
Have a good balance between being concerned and taking care of daily living.
22% 6 votes
Am a bit concerned about current issues but mostly doing my thing.
25% 7 votes
Pretty much ignoring all the clatter and living "the life" as much as possible.
22% 6 votes
Other/ whatever I missed.
3% 1 vote
«13

Comments

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,668
    I'm at the second to top right now.  What made me think of this was having dinner with a friend recently and noticing we could not get around talking about current stuff (as in, much of what we talk about here).  I started wondering if I'm a bit obsessed with what's going on lately, maybe even dipping into that first category a bit.  What I know is best for me is keeping a balance.  It's hard sometimes.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • evsgjamm
    evsgjamm Posts: 2,108
    I can sum up our lives with an example:

    We went to spend the weekend with some good friends a couple years ago. On the 2nd or 3rd day of us at their house, they commented "you know what we love about you guys... you haven't talked about politics ONCE since you've been here..... we really like that."

    We are the middle of the road types. We keep it all in balance with putting a little extra weight towards living our own lives and filtering out the rest. But when we do talk about the stuff that seems to consume your thoughts, brianlux, we keep those conversations short. It's just how we are. 
    Vancouver '03, Paramount Theatre '05, Saskatoon '05, Calgary '05, Edmonton '05, Saskatoon '11, Calgary '11, Calgary '13

    2010 WATCH IT GO TO FIRE!!
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,668
    evsgjamm said:
    I can sum up our lives with an example:

    We went to spend the weekend with some good friends a couple years ago. On the 2nd or 3rd day of us at their house, they commented "you know what we love about you guys... you haven't talked about politics ONCE since you've been here..... we really like that."

    We are the middle of the road types. We keep it all in balance with putting a little extra weight towards living our own lives and filtering out the rest. But when we do talk about the stuff that seems to consume your thoughts, brianlux, we keep those conversations short. It's just how we are. 

    That sounds very sensible. evs.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,720
    voted am a bit concerned. i honestly don't see any difference between what's going on now and what has always been going on. the only difference to me, is the media coverage and the voice that social media has given to the average person. and it's a domino effect: one person on twitter getting freaked out, someone reads that, they start getting freaked out, and on and on it goes. all this bullshit about ww3 was nauseating. 

    now, i don't give any credence to fake news. but since trump has been in office, the media has been in constant "freak out" mode. there is an obvious bias in the main networks. their ratings go through the roof when people are scared/upset/outraged. i have watched exponentially more news since trump was elected. and that's just stupid. it's a waste of time. 

    i look back at the headlines and topics at fox news during the obama era. it was hilarious if it wasn't so utterly stupid. sometimes i wonder if we'll look back on cnn and msnbc somewhat the same way in a few years. obviously not to the same degree, but i'm sure you get my point. 

    it's the outrage topic of the moment. when was the last time we heard about all the kids in cages? what did that outrage last for? a few weeks? now it's gone. haven't heard a peep about it, save for a few comments here and there by alyssa milano on twitter. have they all been reunited with their families? doubt it. but somehow, it's just not that important anymore. 

    so basically what this rambling is getting at, i think a lot of our anxieties about current events start and stop with the news. the thing i worry about the most is the planet. not that maroon in the white house. 
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,668
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    voted am a bit concerned. i honestly don't see any difference between what's going on now and what has always been going on. the only difference to me, is the media coverage and the voice that social media has given to the average person. and it's a domino effect: one person on twitter getting freaked out, someone reads that, they start getting freaked out, and on and on it goes. all this bullshit about ww3 was nauseating. 

    now, i don't give any credence to fake news. but since trump has been in office, the media has been in constant "freak out" mode. there is an obvious bias in the main networks. their ratings go through the roof when people are scared/upset/outraged. i have watched exponentially more news since trump was elected. and that's just stupid. it's a waste of time. 

    i look back at the headlines and topics at fox news during the obama era. it was hilarious if it wasn't so utterly stupid. sometimes i wonder if we'll look back on cnn and msnbc somewhat the same way in a few years. obviously not to the same degree, but i'm sure you get my point. 

    it's the outrage topic of the moment. when was the last time we heard about all the kids in cages? what did that outrage last for? a few weeks? now it's gone. haven't heard a peep about it, save for a few comments here and there by alyssa milano on twitter. have they all been reunited with their families? doubt it. but somehow, it's just not that important anymore. 

    so basically what this rambling is getting at, i think a lot of our anxieties about current events start and stop with the news. the thing i worry about the most is the planet. not that maroon in the white house. 

    "so basically what this rambling is getting at, i think a lot of our anxieties about current events start and stop with the news. the thing i worry about the most is the planet. not that maroon in the white house.

    Same here.  With what's going on in Australia, my concern for the planet is pretty jacked up these days.

    That and international relations have me concerned more than usual. 


    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • bootlegger10
    bootlegger10 Posts: 16,263
    A bit concerned but doing my own thing.

    Kinda feel powerless to change anything.  I don’t usually vote because my vote is meaningless where I live.  Red state and blue district.  
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,340
    i am trying to do my thing but i am so distracted by what is going on these days that i have seriously neglected self care and things that make me happy.

    i have been drinking more. not more days, just more heavily on the 3-4 days a month when i do drink. i have not been to the gym in months. i am shaving maybe one day a week when i used to shave 3-4 days a week. instead of wearing dress clothes to work i have just been wearing scrubs. i have not focused on my band or even plugged in my guitar rig in months.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,140
    I keep up with what is going in the world but my main focus is my family.  I don’t lose any sleep over current events.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • Leezestarr313
    Leezestarr313 Temple of the cat Posts: 14,448
    I am the second, and I cannot help myself. Things have changed so much in recent years, and it pisses me off. At least, this time around I can vote. It will make me feel a little less helpless.
    Please, Pearl Jam, consider a Benaroya Hall vinyl reissue! http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/148993/please-pearl-jam-consider-a-vinyl-benaroya-hall-re-issue


  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,720
    gimmesometruth27 said:
    i am trying to do my thing but i am so distracted by what is going on these days that i have seriously neglected self care and things that make me happy.

    i have been drinking more. not more days, just more heavily on the 3-4 days a month when i do drink. i have not been to the gym in months. i am shaving maybe one day a week when i used to shave 3-4 days a week. instead of wearing dress clothes to work i have just been wearing scrubs. i have not focused on my band or even plugged in my guitar rig in months.
    jesus rod, take care of yourself. i think many of us have increased our imbibing habits in the last 3 years, but if it's causing you so much stress it is affecting your life like this, might be time to talk to someone. seriously, i was kind of fucked up when he first got elected. but i decided to unplug from a lot of it. it was the only thing i could i do to stay sane. in the end, this will just be a footnote in our lives and we'll all wonder why we were all so stressed about it. 
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,140
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    gimmesometruth27 said:
    i am trying to do my thing but i am so distracted by what is going on these days that i have seriously neglected self care and things that make me happy.

    i have been drinking more. not more days, just more heavily on the 3-4 days a month when i do drink. i have not been to the gym in months. i am shaving maybe one day a week when i used to shave 3-4 days a week. instead of wearing dress clothes to work i have just been wearing scrubs. i have not focused on my band or even plugged in my guitar rig in months.
    jesus rod, take care of yourself. i think many of us have increased our imbibing habits in the last 3 years, but if it's causing you so much stress it is affecting your life like this, might be time to talk to someone. seriously, i was kind of fucked up when he first got elected. but i decided to unplug from a lot of it. it was the only thing i could i do to stay sane. in the end, this will just be a footnote in our lives and we'll all wonder why we were all so stressed about it. 
    Hugh I might be wrong but I think you missed his sarcasm.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,720
    mcgruff10 said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    gimmesometruth27 said:
    i am trying to do my thing but i am so distracted by what is going on these days that i have seriously neglected self care and things that make me happy.

    i have been drinking more. not more days, just more heavily on the 3-4 days a month when i do drink. i have not been to the gym in months. i am shaving maybe one day a week when i used to shave 3-4 days a week. instead of wearing dress clothes to work i have just been wearing scrubs. i have not focused on my band or even plugged in my guitar rig in months.
    jesus rod, take care of yourself. i think many of us have increased our imbibing habits in the last 3 years, but if it's causing you so much stress it is affecting your life like this, might be time to talk to someone. seriously, i was kind of fucked up when he first got elected. but i decided to unplug from a lot of it. it was the only thing i could i do to stay sane. in the end, this will just be a footnote in our lives and we'll all wonder why we were all so stressed about it. 
    Hugh I might be wrong but I think you missed his sarcasm.  
    i hope so. 
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,340
    mcgruff10 said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    gimmesometruth27 said:
    i am trying to do my thing but i am so distracted by what is going on these days that i have seriously neglected self care and things that make me happy.

    i have been drinking more. not more days, just more heavily on the 3-4 days a month when i do drink. i have not been to the gym in months. i am shaving maybe one day a week when i used to shave 3-4 days a week. instead of wearing dress clothes to work i have just been wearing scrubs. i have not focused on my band or even plugged in my guitar rig in months.
    jesus rod, take care of yourself. i think many of us have increased our imbibing habits in the last 3 years, but if it's causing you so much stress it is affecting your life like this, might be time to talk to someone. seriously, i was kind of fucked up when he first got elected. but i decided to unplug from a lot of it. it was the only thing i could i do to stay sane. in the end, this will just be a footnote in our lives and we'll all wonder why we were all so stressed about it. 
    Hugh I might be wrong but I think you missed his sarcasm.  
    no i was being dead serious. 

    the other day when i said that trump is giving americans PTSD i was talking about what that motherfucker is doing to me.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,340
    i hope you are right hugh. unfortunately if it is a footnote it will last a long time because he has done some great harm to a lot of groups in this country and around the world. that stuff does not just go away in a year or two. imagine if he is there for 8 years. 
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,668
    gimmesometruth27 said:
    i am trying to do my thing but i am so distracted by what is going on these days that i have seriously neglected self care and things that make me happy.

    i have been drinking more. not more days, just more heavily on the 3-4 days a month when i do drink. i have not been to the gym in months. i am shaving maybe one day a week when i used to shave 3-4 days a week. instead of wearing dress clothes to work i have just been wearing scrubs. i have not focused on my band or even plugged in my guitar rig in months.

    Hey buddy, I'm sorry to hear the weight of the world is beating you up a bit.  I look up to you as a smart, knowledgeable and savvy kind of guy, a fine musician, and all around good dude, so I hope things get better- both in the world we live in and, more importantly here, for you my friend.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • rhanishane
    rhanishane NSW Australia Posts: 505
    edited January 2020
    I live in NSW Australia. I couldn't even celebrate New years Eve because I just felt numb from all the devastation. Slowly feeling better as the weather has eased but the animal loss has definitely broken my heart💔 I love that pearl jam turned their flame symbol upside down so it looks like a heart over Sydney.


    Post edited by rhanishane on
  • rhanishane
    rhanishane NSW Australia Posts: 505

  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,140
    gimmesometruth27 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    gimmesometruth27 said:
    i am trying to do my thing but i am so distracted by what is going on these days that i have seriously neglected self care and things that make me happy.

    i have been drinking more. not more days, just more heavily on the 3-4 days a month when i do drink. i have not been to the gym in months. i am shaving maybe one day a week when i used to shave 3-4 days a week. instead of wearing dress clothes to work i have just been wearing scrubs. i have not focused on my band or even plugged in my guitar rig in months.
    jesus rod, take care of yourself. i think many of us have increased our imbibing habits in the last 3 years, but if it's causing you so much stress it is affecting your life like this, might be time to talk to someone. seriously, i was kind of fucked up when he first got elected. but i decided to unplug from a lot of it. it was the only thing i could i do to stay sane. in the end, this will just be a footnote in our lives and we'll all wonder why we were all so stressed about it. 
    Hugh I might be wrong but I think you missed his sarcasm.  
    no i was being dead serious. 

    the other day when i said that trump is giving americans PTSD i was talking about what that motherfucker is doing to me.
    I stand corrected.  
    As Hugh said, please take care of yourself.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,579
    In regards to Australia and our West Coast burning up, I read an awesome article that talks about how the Aborigine people have been control burning for years and they knew what to do so things like this wouldn't escalate.

    I've heard the same things about the west coast too.

    I hope it's something we can learn from and start implicating. 

    As for politics I think everyone looks for the "hot take" and "I'm outraged" stance but 24hrs later most of the people have moved on to the next saga.

    I do worry about the ecosystem and climates though.  When I hear people say we are doomed and shouldn't have kids I think they are a little nuts.  We can do something and maybe we should have children and bring them up prepared to do something.

    Just my take on things.
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,340
    brianlux said:
    gimmesometruth27 said:
    i am trying to do my thing but i am so distracted by what is going on these days that i have seriously neglected self care and things that make me happy.

    i have been drinking more. not more days, just more heavily on the 3-4 days a month when i do drink. i have not been to the gym in months. i am shaving maybe one day a week when i used to shave 3-4 days a week. instead of wearing dress clothes to work i have just been wearing scrubs. i have not focused on my band or even plugged in my guitar rig in months.

    Hey buddy, I'm sorry to hear the weight of the world is beating you up a bit.  I look up to you as a smart, knowledgeable and savvy kind of guy, a fine musician, and all around good dude, so I hope things get better- both in the world we live in and, more importantly here, for you my friend.
    thank you Brian. I think i was better off when I was not coming around here, haha. i needed to be around intelligent and passionate people though, so I had to come back. I missed the bickering, lol.

    my gym closed about 6 weeks ago and since i am a commitmentphobe i have not found one I like and want to stay with. it is my priority to make a decision this week and get back at it. i need that release. oh yea, i shaved today, ahaha!

    things will get better. i believe that. you are an empath, like me, so I am glad you are holding up ok and taking care of yourself. this last few years have been hard on people like me. it will be better though.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."

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