Memoirs of a Simple Man

On Hope

Brian, did you happen to catch CNN Heroes?  The show was dedicated to your average person that went out of there way to affect change in the world.  It was interesting as a program, but more so as a theme.

In the last month we saw Obama win the bid for President of the United States.  Some see this as a victory for minorities, others see it as a victory for the Democrats.  I see it differently.  I voted for Obama not because of his race or party affiliation, but because he talked about hope and community.

I feel like I have been without hope.  I have felt like most others I think in that we are merely pawns, along for the ride, heading to wherever the politicians want to take us.  With Obama I feel different.  I feel like he is asking me for help.  And I feel like I want to help.

I am still waiting for the right opportunity, but I want to volunteer to make my community, my state, and my country a better place to live.  I am not sure how I can volunteer yet, but more than ever in my life I am looking for opportunities.

I hope all is well.

With hope,

Robert

On Violence

Dear Brian,

I have been watching the events in Mumbai unfold, and I now see that the number of dead has risen to 183.  I have been watching the news quite a bit.  In fact, with the prevalence of media on the net, I found myself watching three news streams, scanning Twitter for live news, viewing the city on Google Earth, and checking out various non-traditional media sites.  At some point I was overloaded and have only checked back occasionally.

I have been watching the politicians extress their “outrage”, but I don’t feel the same.  I am dissapointed, but not angry or outraged.  Perhaps terrorism has become so common that it no longer makes me angry.  When I was watching the news they were describing other terror attacks in India, and they seem to occur almost monthly now.  At some point you ave to start viewing it like a car accident where someone dies.  You express your condolences, and then move on with your life.  Besides, what does anger really solve?

In the midst of all of this I had received a newsletter from Jason Calacanis.  It was regarding the violence.  In the mailing he provided an essay and a video link for a gentleman named Mr. Pinker.  In the video Mr. Pinker provides an argument that violence is at an all time low, and that violence is on the decline.  It is hard to argue with his evidence.  Based on his argument, perhaps there is a reason for hope.

With hope,

Robert