“The news is for idiots” was a comment I saw on someone posting their opinion on a certain situation. This view however is shared by many. It is better to avoid reading it and pretend not to have an opinion on any matter. I decided to briefly analyse my Facebook feed, and describe feelings and actions of those who are ’non-political' (self-proclaimed) on specific events this summer, and on other relevant issues. Here are the results:
- Syria: indifference
- ISIS: “we in the civilised world” or indifference
- Gaza: indifference or simplified as “Give peace a chance!”
- Russia/Ukraine: indifference or “always knew they were corrupt bad guys, Bond told me!”
- Ebola: indifference
- Brazil: indifference, except of course when it came to the score of the world cup matches
- Olympics/World Cup news: as long as those stadiums don’t delay the opening ceremonies, I’m indifferent
- Ferguson: Some are outraged, some are completely indifferent
- Tim Horton’s being bought out by Burger King: mild outrage
- Gay rights: If there’s a party, I’m there!
- Canadian government making atrocious decisions: mild uproar
- Rob Ford smokes crack: outrage
- Airline crashes: mild indifference or trip cancellations or boycotting the airline
- Celebrity death (A to C list): devastation
- Parking ticket: outrage
- Aboriginals: "I guess it’s important, but I really don’t know anything"
- A TV show gets cancelled: sadness, calls for a Kickstarter to be created begin
- Reduction of cycling lanes: outrage
- Someone smoking on a non-smoking patio: more outrage than drunk driving
- The weather: depends on if it’s good or bad
- Ben Affleck as Batman: petitions signed
- Justin Bieber’s behaviour: petitions signed
- Cell-phone provider policies: blind rage
- Ice bucket challenge: “yay looks fun, and I’m doing good!” “What’s ALS?” “Why are people wasting water?” And of course, moral superiority that we waste water in other ways, why is this any different?
- Jennifer Lawrence nude photos leak: moral superiority
