beliefs

A Dead Child on a Beach is Fine, But the Word Fuck Offends You?

We’ve all seen the tragic and horrific image of little Aylan Kurdi, washed up and face down on a Turkish beach after trying to escape the horrors of Syria.

We’ve seen (finally) the mainstream media really talking about the issues that are facing Syrians as they put their own lives, and that of their families, at risk, only to find that risk takes their lives as surely as the bombs and bullets in Syria would should they remain there.

And we’ve seen the world finally start to get its shit together and realize what’s been going on, now that they’ve been forced to watch by the image of that poor little boy, who could be mistaken for simply sleeping if you replaced the beach with a bed.

Sadly, we’ve also seen the assholes and the self-serving come out of the woodwork, as “people” show their true colours when it comes to their place in the world, and how we treat our sisters and brothers regardless of race, faith and status.

I Offend You? Your Ignorance Offends Me

In the days following the release of the picture of Aylan to the world, there were many discussions across all the social networks, as people tried to make sense of what they’d just seen.

On Facebook, a friend of mine shared one of the many news stories about the tragedy, and asked what it will take for the world to end this madness, and actually live peacefully together.

I replied with my usual brass and unfiltered take when horrible shit like this happens.

Sadly, the world can never change when we put the doctrines of religion and hate?above the rights of people to expect a normal life. Despite our outrage, nothing changes and hatred wins?- the world is completely fucked.

An hour or so later, one of my friend’s friends came online, and harangued me for using such unnecessary language. It simply showed ignorance of the English language, and I couldn’t be taken seriously because of it.

Well fucka-doody-doo, mister, and excuse me!

So I asked this guy if my language offended him more than a three year old boy lying lifeless on a beach for the whole world to see. His response:

God works in mysterious ways, and it’s not for us to question or for you to lessen that by vulgarity.

At that point I gave up, because clearly it was pointless trying to reason with someone that couldn’t see the craziness in their statement or point of view.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Why do we think the word fuck is offensive, but reason away a dead child on a beach? #morals” quote=”Why do we think the word fuck is offensive, but reason away a dead child on a beach? #morals”]

Now, don’t get me wrong – while I’m not religious myself, and while I have many issues with how religion of all kinds enforces certain behaviour and beliefs, I also respect people that are religious to practice their faith, and the actions that come through that.

I just can’t believe any religion (or person, to ensure this doesn’t become a post about religious ambiguity) would find a three year old boy lying dead on a beach any fucking kind of acceptable picture.

Because if you do, for whatever reason, then your whole mindset is fucked.

The World is Becoming a Stupid and Dangerous Place

But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that this could be the case.

After all, you only need to take a look through your Facebook feed, as well as news and media outlets and the comments that come after any kind of serious opinion piece, to see that the world is getting crazier by the day.

In Costa Rica, tourists placed their kids on top of turtles for picture opportunities. On top of that, they stood in front of the turtles as they tried to make their way onto the beach. Apart from showing how stupid people are, its impact is much deeper, as these turtles were trying to lay eggs, but returned to the water without doing so. Nature 0 – Human Idiocy 1.

Over on Facebook, “friends” of friends share?a picture of a burning cross, and claim that President Obama is the anti-Christ and should be “removed”.

In Texas, a teenage Muslim boy is arrested and handcuffed because his dumb school (and the fear around someone that’s just a little “different”) think his science project – a homemade clock – is a bomb.

These are just a few examples of literally thousands (millions?) that highlight how ignorance and self-preservation is taking over the world.

If it’s not in your backyard, it’s not visible, right?

Except is it visible, every single day – we just choose to ignore it.

Not only that, but we choose to ignore the ignorance of others around us when it rears its head, because no-one likes to rock the boat where friendship is concerned, right?

If that’s the case, ask yourself this – at what point do we stand up and say enough is enough, and to hell with the fallout from those we feel we currently refrain from challenging?

Because if we truly think that using the F-word is more offensive than a poor, innocent little boy lying face down on a beach hundreds of miles away from home, then I’m sorry, but we’re more fucked up than we think.

And that is truly offensive.

Picking Your Fights

In business (and life) we have to fight.

Fight for our clients. Fight for our beliefs. Fight for our ideas to be heard and understood why we’re presenting them.

Fight for our value and worth.

Choosing when to fight, though, isn’t easy. Even though there are times when we know we are so right, no matter what we say it’s going to be viewed as wrong.

It takes a lot to walk away at times like these.

You put in a lot of work. Man hours, development hours, project hours. But that’s the work stuff – you expect that. There’s also the personal hours away from those you love.

But you do it, because you’re doing it to make a better life for those you love. That’s why you fight.

Pride comes into it too. You can see why those that are fighting with you are having qualms, but you also have the solutions to those qualms. Or at least you would, if they would let you.

But they don’t.

So now you have to decide, do you fight or do you surrender?

Surrender isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It smooths the water and allows you and your combatant’s ships to sail more easily in the same waters again. And everyone loves plain sailing.

But every sailor knows the next big storm is only one grey cloud away.

So now you’re back to fighting. But how long do you allow a fight to go on before realizing it’s only creating lasting damage? How long before you’re punch-drunk and unable to fight any more? And not just with this opponent, but every single one from now on?

Anyone can fight. Some can fight better than others, and for longer.

The question is, are the victories sweet or bittersweet? Are they even victories at all?

photo credit: Profound Whatever

Why Being Yourself is the Only Thing That Matters

I’m getting a little jaded currently by various professionals, consultants and business “superstars” on their blogs and other online forums.

The biggest issue is where a point’s been made by the author, someone disagrees because of a personal opinion, and the author backtracks and jumps the other way.

Why?

If you didn’t believe in the thing you wrote about or spoke of in the first place, why mention it? Was it to court popularity? Or appear that you’re agreeing with the majority when instead the opposite would have been true?

The funny thing is that this is happening more and more, and instead of showing that you’re open to debate and differing views it suggests that you can’t make your mind up. Or worse still, are hesitant on the validity of your own beliefs (business and personal).

If that’s the way some people want to play, fair enough – everyone’s entitled to handle themselves the way they feel is best for them.

But just because someone disagrees with you, do you really need to then agree 100% with them on their point? Or does that just weaken your original argument and authority on the topic at hand?

I’m all for admitting that your original thoughts may not be completely right and understanding other points of view, but don’t lose your voice because of it. One of the best examples of someone that stays true to their beliefs is Geoff Livingston. We’ve butted heads in the past and I don’t always agree with his approach, but I respect him 100% for staying true to himself.

The one thing that separates you from everyone else is your belief. It’s what makes you who you are. It’s your conscience; your moral fibre; your business mantra; the reason people either respect you or don’t.

When you lose that, you lose yourself and any respect that people may have built up in you. Surely that’s more important than any perceived popularity contest.

Isn’t it?

photo credit: ATIS547