Punching Through
First: Mubarak's family has fled.
Second: Watch this--go to 1:20.
Third: In response to my post about the events in Egypt yesterday, our member CJRun made a request:
I know you want people to pay better attention to what is happening around the world, but I need your help. Were I to post a link to this to Facebook, it would get lost, amongst people with other concerns. Like tornadoes.
May I request a post that is a distillation of the recent past and a summary of the present that might help me to get the attention of my friends and loved ones, that might punch through?
A quick summary of recent events--that's easy.
Getting the attention of people who are busy and preoccupied with their own problems--that's hard.
I've been thinking about this problem a lot. What I need to understand better is the sticking point. To me, these events seem close, dramatic, gripping, hugely consequential, and impossible to ignore. Obviously, to many people, they don't.
Is that because they don't know what's happening? Is this receiving so little coverage in the American media that they are literally unaware of it?
Or is it because they do know, but it doesn't seem real? Is the Middle East geographically so far away that this news seems distant and abstract? Might it help if I try to find stories of people to whom CJRun's relatives might be able to relate? Striking photos, video images? Does that video I posted help?
Might it be because they don't appreciate that these are not ordinary events, by the standards of this region, but historic events? In other words, do I need to provide more historic context?
Or might it be because they do not appreciate the way these events might ultimately affect them, personally? Do I need to make those connections more explicit?
What would get your attention, if that video didn't? That's not a Hollywood production. That just happened. These events are really happening, right now, as I type. But does it feel like Hollywood? Is that the effect of Hollywood on the human brain--to make even the real look undramatic?
What does get your attention, in a media-saturated world?
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Sep '10
Re: Punching Through
Face it, you wingnuts - there's violence on the streets in Egypt because of Sarah Palin's use of gun metaphors.
Oct '10
Re: Punching Through
Tunisia and Egypt are American allies in the region. I hope this is change for the better (ie real Democracy).
Edited on Jan 26, 2011 at 5:04amRe: Punching Through
John Marzan: Tunisia and Egypt are American allies in the region. I hope this is change for the better (ie real Democracy). · Jan 26 at 5:03am
Edited on Jan 26 at 05:04 am
We all do--but surely the possibility that it very well may not be should have people worried? Talking about this? Following it? Trying to figure out if there's anything we can do to support the people there who legitimately want freedom? Trying to figure out what we do if they're crushed? Preparing for worst-case scenarios? It's one thing to say, "This may not be good news." None but a blockhead would fail to realize this. But to say, in effect, "This isn't happening, nothing to see here"--no mention, even, in the SOTU, not one!--surely that's a suicidal level of national self-absorption?
Oct '10
Re: Punching Through
Among many others, I offer two thoughts on why Americans are disengaged from the events of which you speak. First, Egyptian street protests are far removed from the experience of ordinary Americans. As such, they seem entirely disconnected from very real problems at home. Second, most Americans experience foreign news like they do modern art. It is an esoteric interest most often promoted by people, usually liberal elites, with whom they share nothing in common.
To break the ice, we need more people like you - witty, sassy, likable and smart - talking about these events in terms that allow people on Main Street to understand that where goes Tunisia might go Tempe.
Jun '10
Re: Punching Through
Americans are quite absorbed right now with domestic issues. Thus do we get not a word about foreign policy in the SOTU. I agree that it's foolish to ignore a problem with so much potential for either good or evil, but I fear that the rest of Obama's term will be event driven. Our chief executive will simply lurch from one crisis to the next addressing serious problems with ad hoc solutions. This does not bode well.
Jul '10
Re: Punching Through
The Obama administration is plainly uninterested in foreign affairs and the MSM is too strapped to cover the events abroad that it once did. The SOTU was evidence we are withdrawing from our former role as the world's policeman in order to "invest" more in social spending.
Re: Punching Through
Okay, yes, yes, but think constructive. How do I answer CJRun's question? Help me out here. Something that can be posted on Facebook and get the attention of CJRun's loved ones--what's the trick? What's the key?
Sep '10
Re: Punching Through
Claire,
I think this is a two-part problem - you've accurately identified the first part; somehow this has to register on the radar. When it does, though,and people realize how serious it is there doesn't seem to be anything which can be done. What can I do about this issue? I can't go and join the protests, can't give money and don't really see where I can make a meaningful contribution.
I would love to see all of the dictators in that slice of the world run out of town on a rail, but I think it's going to take brave people doing what has been done in Tunisia and begun in Egypt.
The one area that still puzzles me, though, is why no one has come up with a way for the protestors to circumvent government restrictions and shut downs of social media like Twitter and Facebook. I'm not sure it's technologically possible, but this seems like a tangible way to make a contribution.
May '10
Re: Punching Through
Partly because of the natural US detachment and navel-gazing. We're a whole nother continent. Also, I have no idea what will emerge from any of this, including Tunisia. OK, so we Repeal. What's the Replace?
May '10
Re: Punching Through
I mean, with Iran, we knew it couldn't be anything worse than what we have now.
Re: Punching Through
Warren Lynch: Claire,
I think this is a two-part problem - you've accurately identified the first part; somehow this has to register on the radar. When it does, though,and people realize how serious it is there doesn't seem to be anything which can be done. What can I do about this issue?
That's an interesting point--and I think you're on to something--but how does it differ from most political issues? We have a government, and our government has a policy toward Egypt. We support the Mubarak regime with 1.3 billion in military assistance a year. We can pull the plug on it in five seconds. Everyone in the region knows it. What our government does will play some role in the outcome of these events. Getting it wrong could mean the rise of an aggressively hostile state in its place. We have some influence over our elected officials. Should the message not at least be going out to our representatives, "Get this right?" What's "right?" Hard question--but not one anyone can answer without first asking, "What's happening?"
May '10
Re: Punching Through
For me there is the moral question of "should" I care. I mean, yes, I don't like that people suffer under a dictator.Sorrow: Check.
I hate that the POTUS played nice with a monster from China. Outrage: Check.
People are Starving in Africa. Horror: Check
Every day, in my job, I see Americans hurt by our domestic problems. Every day we see people who come to us that were middle class, but now are getting government help. People who have lost jobs, homes, marriages.
Am I wrong for wanting to focus on American problems? No matter who we help abroad, what aid we bring, everyone still hates us anyway. It seems to me that the Middle East is a sick, sick part of the world, that in the 21st Century exports only pain, terror, and suffering. Why should I care if there is more?
Really, I guess I feel despair that the Middle East will ever get better. Since there is not helping, and no making it better, why should I care? Let me focus my time and energy on what I can make better.
May '10
Re: Punching Through
We have so many things after our attention, computers, cell phones, ipads, ipods,sports, etc. We are too distracted to get involved. It's easier to just do the everyday things with the family, check the sports scores, and call it a day.
Getting involved requires work and study. Most people when they get off work, pull the plug and don't want to put forth the effort required to get involved. They aren't interested in studying about someone elses problems. They are frustrated as it seems our politicians are a bunch of wusses.
I read you off and on for 6 months on Ricochet before you got my attention. You got me curious. I don't know what the key was but now you are my favorite because you challenge me to think and contemplate. Now instead of watching a hockey game on TV, I Googled your name and went to Uncommon Knowledge and watched your interview. Made me realize how little I know about the world I live.
I don't think most people are bad, and don't care, they are just too wrapped up in their own little world.
Anyway, thanks for opening my eyes.
Oct '10
Re: Punching Through
I think these are key points. This stuff is complicated - the tangled modern history of the region is bizarre, even by tangled modern standards. (Egypt and Syria were one country - for five minutes - how does that work? etc. etc.) It's not difficult to be a knowledgeable person in the West and have no idea of Egyptian history beyond 'Elisabeth Taylor; that Voldemort guy; some "wars" with Israel that seemed kinda short; a Nobel peace prize; and, um, nothing.' To jump from that to understanding tweets about the crowd outside the Lawyers' Syndicate is just too much.
Riots and water cannon are pretty, but I don't think great visuals lead to any lasting sense of concern, or any deep understanding. Who remembers what that whole Iran Election thing was about, now?
Aug '10
Re: Punching Through
Claire,
Did you move as close as possible to the center of this potential conflagration as part of your job ?
Who do you see as being behind this ? Considering how much influence Soros had in certain "color revolutions", and the ubiquitous presence of Hezbollah throughout the region ( or some Iranian backed faction), isn't there someone to point to ?
Or is this the alleged "street" that was supposed to rise up against Bush ? How wonderfully poignant that it rises up with him ,demanding a taste of the freedoms that he showed them in Iraq ?
Tunisia had tired of the corruption, Egypt of the attempted nepotism, whence Jordan ? Will the Iranians even hear about this ?
Can't imagine this happening in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE. The people are properly and widely bribed by govt to stay put.
May '10
Re: Punching Through
It must be because I'm currently reading The Company by Robert Littell, but the events in Tunisia and Egypt have the look of covert US intervention. I know that's wandering into conspiracy theory territory, but it wouldn't be the first time freedom fighters received aid. I also was under the impression that one school of thought was to treat the Muslim world like the Soviet Union - divide and conquer. Is this a Cold War tactic taking place or a spontaneous uprising? It just doesn't smell right, this lack of American media coverage. It's almost as if the blackout is intentional. Most of the coverage is from amateur sources, much harder to trace and easy to establish aliases. Claire, what do your American journalist friends think of the lack of coverage? Have they proposed covering these stories and have been shot down by editors?
But to answer your question, more of these heartstring-pulling videos and photos are the way to go to get attention. Most people don't know or care about what happens in the Muslim world, unless it effects them directly, nor do they appreciate how precious freedom is. Don't give up.
Re: Punching Through
The problem is simple. Egypt is a country far away about which we know little or nothing. Now if the protesters were to seize some Americans as hostages . . .
In general, however, ever since the end of the Cold War, we have been turning away from the larger world. It took a 9/11 to get our attention shortly after the end of the first post-Cold War decade. Right now, given the level of unemployment and the tyrannical ambitions of Barack Obama, we tend to be focused on domestic concerns.
I agree with you, however, about the importance of these events. This may be a turning point in the history of the Arab world. It could produce a functioning liberal democracy; it could eventuate in theocracy. Military rule is the most likely consequence.
Edited on Jan 26, 2011 at 7:47amJun '10
Re: Punching Through
Claire --
A student in one of my classes asked me why this was different than any other time Middle Eastern youths were in the streets throwing rocks at authority. I explained about the domino effect, the Muslim Brotherhood, similarities to 1979, etc. No reaction. Not even a blip.
I think that most of our people are just immune to the image of rocks in the air and cars on fire in the Muslim world.
Sep '10
Re: Punching Through
Casey Taylor: Claire --
A student in one of my classes asked me why this was different than any other time Middle Eastern youths were in the streets throwing rocks at authority. I explained about the domino effect, the Muslim Brotherhood, similarities to 1979, etc. No reaction. Not even a blip.
I think that most of our people are just immune to the image of rocks in the air and cars on fire in the Muslim world. · Jan 26 at 7:47am
They really need to throw shoes at a Republican's head if they want attention. No joke. If Claire wants media attention, just have one of her many friends do that with media present and I guarantee you it will be all over the nightly news. For a twofer, if it were Pat Sajak, there'd be a ratings spike for Wheel of Fortune.
Sep '10
Re: Punching Through
I agree with you, however, about the importance of these events. This may be a turning point in the history of the Arab world.
Its funny, but this was always the hope with the Iraq war and Afghanistan that eventually the tyrannical kleptocrats in charge of the Arabic countries would fall. The problem, as Paul Rahe points out, is we have no guarantee as to who will replace them.