Our Beam Seems Broke Down

[Bryan James]

The day Neil Armstrong died, NBC cut the story short for a Kardashian "my ass is huge and I am empowered by it" piece.

Talk about walking on the Moon.

Just watching BET channel. I like Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston in "The Bodyguard."

Given the nature of that channel, I kept waiting to see something about Maya Angelou.

And I kept waiting.

And then there was an eight second tribute...that was cut in by a condom commercial and a fried chicken spot.

Excellence is no longer exalted. There's no reason to reach, to evolve, since now Jello sans fruitybits is an acceptable meal.

Angry. At the fact that so many people are so damn stupid that media mind control might actually be beneficial...and that's a vicious downward spiral.

(Mod pls del if apprp)

 

[morgan]

I feel worn out...disillusioned... and hopeless all the time because of these things. But they are commonplace and what the norm wants to fixate on. It is truly sad-heartbreaking really. I find myself withdrawing from TV, news, media...etc. If it isn't a Kardashian story, it's fear mongering. I suffer from an anxiety disorder and have to separate myself from the upsetting whenever I can.

 

[FlakeNoir]

I still don't really know who/what these Kardashian's are... I'm so pleased.

 

[Autumn Gust]

Society today is driven by materialism and fear. We are weighed down round-the-clock with too much information (good and bad) that overwhelms us and silenty and constantly eats away at our peace of mind. It's too noisy, there's too much stimulation, too much of everything. We can be bought off cheaply with food, substances, sensational news stories, and material goods. The way I cope with this mess is to always practice "mindfulness". I've been doing this for five years now and it has been a real lifesaver.

 

[Grandpa]

I was in the car a lot today. NPR and affiliates ran the life and death of Ms. Angelo quite a bit, including replaying a 1980s-era interview with Terry Gross (who's still interviewing). And not one mention of Kardashian, Hilton, Spears, Lohan, or a bunch of others whose names I'm embarrassed to repeat so facilely. If that gives anyone hope.

And by the way, I loved hearing Ms. Angelo on that interview. I'd never heard her for that length before. She was just so lighthearted, warm, and mellifluous in her speech. She was an open book, filled with graceful prose. A joy to listen to.

 

[blunthead]

Society today is driven by materialism and fear. We are weighed down round-the-clock with too much information (good and bad) that overwhelms us and silenty and constantly eats away at our peace of mind. It's too noisy, there's too much stimulation, too much of everything. We can be bought off cheaply with food, substances, sensational news stories, and material goods. The way I cope with this mess is to always practice "mindfulness". I've been doing this for five years now and it has been a real lifesaver.

Can you elaborate?

 

[blunthead]

The day Neil Armstrong died, NBC cut the story short for a Kardashian "my ass is huge and I am empowered by it" piece.

Talk about walking on the Moon.

Just watching BET channel. I like Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston in "The Bodyguard."

Given the nature of that channel, I kept waiting to see something about Maya Angelou.

And I kept waiting.

And then there was an eight second tribute...that was cut in by a condom commercial and a fried chicken spot.

Excellence is no longer exalted. There's no reason to reach, to evolve, since now Jello sans fruitybits is an acceptable meal.

Angry. At the fact that so many people are so damn stupid that media mind control might actually be beneficial...and that's a vicious downward spiral.

(Mod pls del if apprp)

Culture Maya Angelou represents is not required in most of our country's youth curriculum anymore, despite her political correctness, because they're not going to spend their money that way. Right is not might up next to money. Truth be damned, getting stuff's where it's at. And sex, of course.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...the beautiful poet was, I felt-well honored on the CBS Evening News last night...

 

[EMARX]

We all need to get off the ride more often, look, listen and engage. Stop feeding the machine.

 

[VultureLvr45]

Need a nap. I'll be back in a bit.

 

[Autumn Gust]

Can you elaborate?

Here's a very basic definition from Psychology Today:

"Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience."

It has its roots in Buddhist meditation and it's becoming increasingly popular as a tool for treating depression, anxiety, and OCD. Everyone can benefit from it! The concept was familiar to our grandparents… they called it "stopping to smell the roses".

 

[Neesy]

I was in the car a lot today. NPR and affiliates ran the life and death of Ms. Angelo quite a bit, including replaying a 1980s-era interview with Terry Gross (who's still interviewing). And not one mention of Kardashian, Hilton, Spears, Lohan, or a bunch of others whose names I'm embarrassed to repeat so facilely. If that gives anyone hope.

And by the way, I loved hearing Ms. Angelo on that interview. I'd never heard her for that length before. She was just so lighthearted, warm, and mellifluous in her speech. She was an open book, filled with graceful prose. A joy to listen to.

mellifluous - what a lovely word - there are certain doctors who sounds like that when they are dictating operative reports and it is a break for me to listen to them. I could just listen to them all day. They make up for those who speak in a monotone, are choppy or will be leave long gaps of silence followed by a staccato rush of words that you can barely keep up with while typing.

 

[Neesy]

Here's a very basic definition from Psychology Today:

"Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience."

It has its roots in Buddhist meditation and it's becoming increasingly popular as a tool for treating depression, anxiety, and OCD. Everyone can benefit from it! The concept was familiar to our grandparents… they called it "stopping to smell the roses".

They teach an "Introduction to Mindfulness" course (half day long) at our hospital.

 

[Lily Sawyer]

NPR and BBC. "Still I Rise" remains one of my most favorite poems.