When do we make an end of the Emotional Catharsis and roll up our sleeves?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

Ok, we've been through a lot of late. Yes, I DO understand that emotional catharsis is a vital and necessary part processing the feelings and impressions that come with recent events.

That said... Geez. Louise. Take this damned chalice from our lips.

If our country's plate was any fuller, with issues that demand our immediate attention as sentient beings and citizens, it would shatter into its sub-atomic components. All we seem to be doing anymore is gnashing our teeth, beating our breasts and rending our garment asunder. Makes for great theater, but as a productive use of our time, verily, it doth suck. I don't mean us as in "us at DU", although there is some of that: I mean us as a country. The whole thing is like some damn soap opera.

Americans have always been known as can-do, knuckle-down, heads down and thrash it out types. "You are always at your best when the going gets worst", as the semi-aphasic alien guy said in the movie. I don't see that at present. We seem to be drifting, aimless in most cases, looking for the next purely emotional response to stimuli.

There is a lot going on that needs our attention. Now. The sooner the better. What is it going to take for us to get after it?

Just one of those things that make me stare off into space, sometimes. Thought I would run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Bite your tongue!

Check any DU thread about pedophiles or crimes against cats. Now, that flagpole is tall and has Saluting and No Saluting sections.

I wish I had The Solution. But I don't. Mainly, I just avoid the emotionalizing when and where I can, though I often fail.

--p!

[babsbunny]

2. Don't forget

NOT ONE DAMN DIME DAY ON APRIL 15TH! IS THAT THE BEST WE CAN DO!!! I GUESS WITHOUT THE MEDIA BEHIND US, WE ARE INVISIBLE?

[NashVegas]

3. Emotional Voyeurism is More Like It

Someone on the TV feels, therefor I am.

[imenja]

5. my theory is that television creates a sense of community

in an age when capitalism has destroyed our own communities.

[NashVegas]

6. And I Think It Creates a Sense of Isolation

When you sit there glued, listening to the views of those whom you will never have a genuine exchange with.

[imenja]

7. absolutely, but in the context of an already isolated population

[imenja]

8. it's manipulative

I haven't been watching the 24/7 news coverage. Since I got TIVO, I just record programs I want to see and ignore the rest. I watched Meet the Press and This Week, as is my custom, and hearing about the Pope's life and death I started to cry. It's very strange; it demonstrates for me the manipulative power of television.

[imenja]

4. the pope news hasn't been going on that long

it just seems like forever cause we had to endure weeks of Terri Schiavo mania. I for one am just happy that mess if off the airways.