How do you view the world?

[foozball3000]

I've just seen a lecture from James Nachtwey. His photographs are powerfull, but to live a life viewing the world so negatively...

Fact is, we live in Africa. Its bad. But how do you wish to inspire people by being negative? I've never seen a good solution build on a negative view.

Good and Great solutions need passion... passion for a great solution is sparked by a negative event but is created and refined by optimism and positivity.

So, we'll see what this thread leads to...
I'm tired of people just looking at a problem, feel sad for a moment and move on. Fair enough, you can't help someone who doesn't want to help himself... but surely, presenting a solution can't hurt.

How will you change your view to help? Will you inspire those you come in contact with?

 

[Peder]

i find the best way is to look at the positive in the negative... there is always something positive, even if it is that you are breathing its something positive...

 

[Waaib]

I view the world as flat but try to drink it while it's fizzy.

 

[blunomore]

I've just seen a lecture from James Nachtwey. His photographs are powerfull, but to live a life viewing the world so negatively...

Fact is, we live in Africa. Its bad. But how do you wish to inspire people by being negative? I've never seen a good solution build on a negative view.

Good and Great solutions need passion... passion for a great solution is sparked by a negative event but is created and refined by optimism and positivity.

So, we'll see what this thread leads to...
I'm tired of people just looking at a problem, feel sad for a moment and move on. Fair enough, you can't help someone who doesn't want to help himself... but surely, presenting a solution can't hurt.

How will you change your view to help? Will you inspire those you come in contact with?

Look at the sentence I highlighted, foozball.

Take the war in Gaza as an example. The images of people dying are harrowing. Other than feel sad for them, what should - or could I do?

Should I not be more concerned - and more active - in caring for my neighbour, Zimbabwe?

We cannot solve the world's problems, so maybe "charity begins at home" is a good idea to adopt ... ?

 

[CathJ]

Look at the sentence I highlighted, foozball.

Take the war in Gaza as an example. The images of people dying are harrowing. Other than feel sad for them, what should - or could I do?

Should I not be more concerned - and more active - in caring for my neighbour, Zimbabwe?

We cannot solve the world's problems, so maybe "charity begins at home" is a good idea to adopt ... ?

I don't think so. Why are people hurting locally more important than people hurting far away? The only time this would be valid if it were more feasible to help those locally, in a logistical sense. Or because they're getting a smaller share of the world's attention and help.

 

[pos(t)er]

I've just seen a lecture from James Nachtwey. His photographs are powerfull, but to live a life viewing the world so negatively...

Fact is, we live in Africa. Its bad. But how do you wish to inspire people by being negative? I've never seen a good solution build on a negative view.

Good and Great solutions need passion... passion for a great solution is sparked by a negative event but is created and refined by optimism and positivity.

So, we'll see what this thread leads to...
I'm tired of people just looking at a problem, feel sad for a moment and move on. Fair enough, you can't help someone who doesn't want to help himself... but surely, presenting a solution can't hurt.

How will you change your view to help? Will you inspire those you come in contact with?

You're missing the point if you equate the photo's he takes with him being negative. He shows us the world as it us, allowing us to draw our own conclusions. And didn't it inspire you to create this thread, which might inspire someone else and so forth?

 

[Serqet]

Well perhaps it's a case of if we all looked after the people closest to us it would have a ripple effect?

I don't think it's a case of who is more important. Any human life is a priority. I just think it would be easier to take care of those surrounding you than those half way across the world.

 

[blunomore]

I don't think so. Why are people hurting locally more important than people hurting far away? The only time this would be valid if it were more feasible to help those locally, in a logistical sense. Or because they're getting a smaller share of the world's attention and help.

In the case of Zim, it is true. Less attention, because they are 'just another failed African state' in the minds of the world.

Also, politically, it depends on the allegiances of our government.

 

[Serqet]

You're missing the point if you equate the photo's he takes with him being negative. He shows us the world as it us, allowing us to draw our own conclusions. And didn't it inspire you to create this thread, which might inspire someone else and so forth?

+1. well said!

 

[foozball3000]

Charity does begin at home... but the phrase is a lot deeper than we tend to think. How many beggars did you turn a cold shoulder to? They are in serious need. (Hint: Financial problem is only the result of the real problem)

Gaza and Zim are beyond your reach... because if you're standing outside the problem, its hard to gain perspective on what the solution should be.
And, blue... first you'll have to define to yourself what charity and home means to you.

 

[foozball3000]

You're missing the point if you equate the photo's he takes with him being negative. He shows us the world as it us, allowing us to draw our own conclusions. And didn't it inspire you to create this thread, which might inspire someone else and so forth?

I saw his lecture on the photo's... it's negative.

Did you know that a photo is only a small but of information... as powerful as it is, its incomplete? So, how can it show the world as it is?

 

[Serqet]

"I have been a witness, and these pictures are

my testimony. The events I have recorded should

not be forgotten and must not be repeated."

-James Nachtwey-

I think you maybe aren't seeing the whole picture yourself.

Photos like his are meant to shock us into action. Get us talking, brainstorming etc.

The world is incomplete. If it were whole we wouldn't have any of this **** we do. And i could get deeply philosophical here and say it's due to humanities own incompleteness. I think we've all lost the meaning of what being human is all about.

 

[foozball3000]

This thread is not created to be some debate... it's to make you think. Let it all swirl around your head for a while...

I know where I'm involved. I know what I'm doing to fix what I can... and its quite a lot. To help someone, you first need to know what you have to offer.
And what the world needs, is hands.

 

[Serqet]

Foozball a person cannot sit here and think without having other people's opinions which would mean a debate would need to come into play in order to get people thinking in a different point of view. I don't think there is anything wrong with debating as long as it's constructive.

Glad that you are doing your bit. Do you feel as though you've made an impact?

 

[foozball3000]

Foozball a person cannot sit here and think without having other people's opinions which would mean a debate would need to come into play in order to get people thinking in a different point of view. I don't think there is anything wrong with debating as long as it's constructive.

Glad that you are doing your bit. Do you feel as though you've made an impact?

I've seen the impact. It's awesome. It inspires one to do even more.

As for the Debate, normally I would agree.. but unfortunately, there's too many people on here who care more about sharing their opinion than learning from others. So, the fruit that a debate would have is lost. The real idea behind a debate SHOULD be, that we share our different points of views and learn from each other. Don't you agree?

 

[Serqet]

That's great that you've seen the impact. It inspires a person to continue and other people to take a chance because i know personally i sometimes feel as though it's hopeless. So kudos!

I see what you mean in regards to the debaters who just like to stand on their soapbox. I agree a debate should be a conversation of expression and learning. That is not always easily achieved. I still feel this is a good thread for a healthy debate though.

 

[JK8]

I view the world as flat but try to drink it while it's fizzy.

Hehehehe

 

[kds]

I've just seen a lecture from James Nachtwey. His photographs are powerfull, but to live a life viewing the world so negatively...

Thanks for the post, I am on his website.

 

[foozball3000]

Thanks for the post, I am on his website.

Go to TED.com, and find his lecture...

 

[Jewelbox]

View the world

What do you suppose is the one common element in all the problems facing us today as a nation and as a world?
From soaring numbers of homeless people to escalating crime rates to the slow stangulation of our ecosystem, the answer is that every single one of these problems was caused or set in motion by HUMAN BEHAVIOUR!

Therefore, the solution to every one of these problems is to CHANGE our behaviour.

By doing this, the world will become a better place to live in, for all of us!