Comments on: If Nate Gave His Life…

By: Scott Gould

Scott Gould — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:52:21 +0000

Thanks Scott for giving and for your words. I agree here – there might be some issue to discuss, but the main thing is to respond with giving

By: scottstafstrom

scottstafstrom — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:25:00 +0000

Donated… sorry all who have commented, though I agree with Malcolm on how a headline can becoming personal…I do not see what this has to do with media… it is a person that gave his life for a cause that he believed in… He stretched beyond his boundaries to help children that he did not know to offer love, to offer the gift of himself. Always asking for the strength and faith to do the same. Thank you Scott for sharing and it is not “too” much to post twice a day when it matters.

By: Scott Gould

Scott Gould — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:52:57 +0000

The mass broadcast of problems in the world on news. When I see horrific photos, I've seen them before.However, when I read the story about Nate, the whole thing becomes real to me

By: tobit

tobit — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:02:34 +0000

tell me more about the 'broadcast problem' thing. Essentially I live in a world where I select the amount of broadcast channels I am exposed to – I don't have a TV, and get most of my 'news' information from the Today programme, PM and a Saturday paper. So the issue I face is when hideous things happen and are reported I am not exposed to the visuals. When I do see pictures and video – say the earthquake in Haiti I am overwhelmed, but when I see the next disaster, and the next, and the next, day in, day out (say, having access to a TV while on holiday) I stop being overwhelmed, probably because I stop processing – I become numbed, I and just watch.So while social media might (re)connect me with a cause and I have the emotional energy and compassion (and $) to respond I have limited capacity! does this make sense. if it does, how do others deal with this?

By: Scott Gould

Scott Gould — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:38:12 +0000

I agree with you both.Malcolm – I love the way that this made it's way to me, without them targetting me. This is spreadability in full effect.Tobit – on a different angle, yes we over often over exposed on the news – but I think this is a broadcast problem. This article making it's way to me did not desensitise me.

By: tobit

tobit — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:03:16 +0000

which is a good point, but it carries a risk.When we are exposed to (via the various news / media channels) the constant and oppressive sensory nightmare that those less fortunate than us live in, we run the risk of just not seeing the desperation, because we lack the emotional and cognitive depth to deal with it. Upfront and personal yes, but sometimes I think that I need some kind of filter…

By: Malcolm Sleath

Malcolm Sleath — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:14:16 +0000

The great thing about social media is the way in which a distant headline can become upfront and personal.