Wednesday
Feb272008
It's just this campaign of fear*
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 10:17AM
The other day some coworkers and I were at lunch, and we had a conversation that went approximately like this (names have been changed to protect the safety of those involved. Except not really. About the protection thing. The names really have been changed):
Tori: I heard that honey bees are dying out because of the frequency waves from our cell phones and other wireless technology.
Derek: Oh really? That's not good.
Tori: Yeah, they say that human life will only survive seven years after the honey bees die out.
Stan: Wow that's scary.
Shannon: Really? Because I think it would be hilarious if humans killed themselves because of their need for technology. And if it's because of the extinction of honey bees caused by our reliance on technology, that's even funnier! We totally deserve it. Humans are so annoying and so stupid, and we think we're so important, but really we're completely insignificant. Life will go on without us, and it will probably be better. We think we're so intelligent with all our inventions and crap, but really we're just killing ourselves. And if it's the honey bee thing that kills us, I think that's pretty frickin' funny. Especially since people in third world countries will probably find a way to survive, and those of us with the technology will be the first to go. It's our own arrogance---we deserve it.
Derek: Do you have a cell phone?
Shannon: Oh yeah, I'm totally part of the problem, I don't deny that. Doesn't mean we don't deserve it.
All: Um, wow.
I really think that though. I mean it would basically suck if our crops were no longer pollinated and slowly we starved to death, and there was mass chaos and murders and pillaging for food supplies. Yeah, that sucks, I'd rather not be a part of it. But humans annoy me - I even annoy myself. Don't we kind of deserve to cause the extinction of our own species with our stupidity?
I brought this idea home to Brad, and all he really had to say was, "The whole thing is just a scare tactic. Don't let it get to you."
Last weekend we finally watched Bowling for Columbine, so now I'm not sure if I really should worry about (laughing at) the bees-will-be-our-demise thing or if it's just more American-made fear-mongering. That documentary did get me thinking about my own paranoia though. I've talked before about how paranoid I am and my everyone's-a-predator mentality, and I still believe that I'm just a naturally paranoid person. But now I realize part of it is probably because I've always been told that everyone's a predator. I'm not just making that up, it's what I've been told to think.
So I decided to try to be less paranoid, while still being safe. I can be smart without being so fearful all the time. Last night that new theory was put to the test. Brad and I pulled into our parking lot around 8pm, and there was a strange white van parked in the middle of the lot, not in a space, and someone was sitting in the driver's seat. We got out of the car and started walking to the door to our apartment building, and we heard the driver get out and start walking behind us. Normally I would have freaked out and hurried to the door. But with this new attitude, I thought "No, this person is fine. He just happens to be going to the same door as us."
I had just finished the thought when Brad mumbled to me, "Walk a little faster hon." We hurried to the door and shut it (with it's automatic locking mechanism) behind us. Brad said he wasn't too worried, but didn't want to be responsible for letting a stranger in the building. If he had a legitimate reason for being there, he'd get buzzed in. But for me it was a real eye-opener. My first attempt at being a little less paranoid, and it turns out my instincts were right (or at least the same as Brad who is much more level-headed in these situations). Now I'm not really sure what I want to do: trust my instincts even if they are on major overdrive all the time, or try to learn to distinguish between what's truly a threat and what's only my overactive paranoia.
*Marilyn Manson in Bowling for Columbine
Tori: I heard that honey bees are dying out because of the frequency waves from our cell phones and other wireless technology.
Derek: Oh really? That's not good.
Tori: Yeah, they say that human life will only survive seven years after the honey bees die out.
Stan: Wow that's scary.
Shannon: Really? Because I think it would be hilarious if humans killed themselves because of their need for technology. And if it's because of the extinction of honey bees caused by our reliance on technology, that's even funnier! We totally deserve it. Humans are so annoying and so stupid, and we think we're so important, but really we're completely insignificant. Life will go on without us, and it will probably be better. We think we're so intelligent with all our inventions and crap, but really we're just killing ourselves. And if it's the honey bee thing that kills us, I think that's pretty frickin' funny. Especially since people in third world countries will probably find a way to survive, and those of us with the technology will be the first to go. It's our own arrogance---we deserve it.
Derek: Do you have a cell phone?
Shannon: Oh yeah, I'm totally part of the problem, I don't deny that. Doesn't mean we don't deserve it.
All: Um, wow.
I really think that though. I mean it would basically suck if our crops were no longer pollinated and slowly we starved to death, and there was mass chaos and murders and pillaging for food supplies. Yeah, that sucks, I'd rather not be a part of it. But humans annoy me - I even annoy myself. Don't we kind of deserve to cause the extinction of our own species with our stupidity?
I brought this idea home to Brad, and all he really had to say was, "The whole thing is just a scare tactic. Don't let it get to you."
Last weekend we finally watched Bowling for Columbine, so now I'm not sure if I really should worry about (laughing at) the bees-will-be-our-demise thing or if it's just more American-made fear-mongering. That documentary did get me thinking about my own paranoia though. I've talked before about how paranoid I am and my everyone's-a-predator mentality, and I still believe that I'm just a naturally paranoid person. But now I realize part of it is probably because I've always been told that everyone's a predator. I'm not just making that up, it's what I've been told to think.
So I decided to try to be less paranoid, while still being safe. I can be smart without being so fearful all the time. Last night that new theory was put to the test. Brad and I pulled into our parking lot around 8pm, and there was a strange white van parked in the middle of the lot, not in a space, and someone was sitting in the driver's seat. We got out of the car and started walking to the door to our apartment building, and we heard the driver get out and start walking behind us. Normally I would have freaked out and hurried to the door. But with this new attitude, I thought "No, this person is fine. He just happens to be going to the same door as us."
I had just finished the thought when Brad mumbled to me, "Walk a little faster hon." We hurried to the door and shut it (with it's automatic locking mechanism) behind us. Brad said he wasn't too worried, but didn't want to be responsible for letting a stranger in the building. If he had a legitimate reason for being there, he'd get buzzed in. But for me it was a real eye-opener. My first attempt at being a little less paranoid, and it turns out my instincts were right (or at least the same as Brad who is much more level-headed in these situations). Now I'm not really sure what I want to do: trust my instincts even if they are on major overdrive all the time, or try to learn to distinguish between what's truly a threat and what's only my overactive paranoia.
*Marilyn Manson in Bowling for Columbine
in Brad, Just stuff
Brad, Just stuff
Reader Comments (10)
The bee conversation totally cracks me up. I love your attitude about it and I totally agree. (Can you believe that? We agree!) I would have laughed with you.
I think, in the world of today, we need to be a little overly paranoid. It's unfortunate, really, but true. So long as you don't go chasing ambulances and police cars like Trint's mom does to make sure it isn't someone you know or love, I think you're still totally ok with your bit of paranoia.
The bee issue is very real, or so says an issue of Organic Gardening we got last year.
I agree, though, that we can't worry ourselves to death about every little thing. We can just do our part to not destroy the world around us, and hopefully, others will follow suit, you know?
its interesting .. fear culture. i notice that when i watch american news, i get a lot more stressed and fearful than when i watch canadian news and it makes me wonder, a lot. i know from talking to my friends to the south, that we get different messaging in terms of media though i think the internet is a great equalizer in that regard. i also think that it is important to be cautious and trust our instincts and that is different than being fearful and paranoid.
for instance, i have an emergency kit at home which includes things like water and batteries and such to get all of us through a few days should the power go out, winter storm take over or whatever but i don't spend any time worrying about it. bad things can happen but mostly they don't.
i organic garden and buy organic because its better for the environment and frankly it tastes better but i'm still going to use my cell phone because its convenient. but i noticed that there were a lot of bees buzzing around my garden last year so maybe there's a balance.
all that said and done, yeah people, myself included annoy me ...
My current roommate and the one prior to her are the most paranoid, fear-driven people I've met. They will not stop to get the mail if it's dark. They will not go to a movie or the mall alone after dark. They will not walk around on a public walking trail alone (even in daylight, when the place is full of children and families walking dogs). Going anywhere after dark alone is always, always out of the question because they are guaranteed to be raped. ... I always thought that'd be such sad way to exist.
I'm not worried about Daisies lack of bees because we have hundreds buzzing around our abelia. Nevertheless, I will recommend Barry Glassner's _Culture of Fear_. It's a great book. Barry is really smart (I know him, I can call him Barry.) and he's done some excellent research.
I would have laughed. People are stupid.
Apparently depressed people are more correct in their predictions than happy people. I find that slightly reassuring but still, most of the time there is no point in getting worked up. On the other hand I hate it when people try to sneak into a building behind me. It's totally not cool.
And bees... bees are an ancient metaphor for the best things about humanity. They're social, busy, organized, and they make something beautiful: honey. So I can see why it would bother people if they died out.
The bee conversation is hilarious.
I tend to be semi-paranoid as well. Always noticing the odd van with a man sitting in it. Although I refuse to run away from that, I do heighten my senses and pay attention to what's going on around me. I even go as far as to plan out how I would handle a bad situation. But, I figure it's better to be prepared and safe, than to end up sorry. I think, if you weigh a situation, you already know what you are funny paranoid about and what you have real reason to be paranoid about.
Having children, I look at everyone as a potential sex offender. Can't help it.
When the world starts eating itself from the inside out and destruction is near, I'll save some space for you in the fall-out shelter my conspiracy theory hubby has been building in his own mind. We will need some smart, strong women to rule what's left of the world.
Ha! I love the honey bee conversation. And I'd like to read this study that without honeybees, we'd all die.
i think the bee thing is very real but they ruled out that whole cell-phone causation. and humans are totally going to do themselves in.