Impacts

Hello everyone,

I'm not entirely aware of who my audience is anymore because of the move I've recently made. If you're still not aware, this is my new blog - ta da! - spread the word. Have the rules changed as a result? I won't attempt to censor myself in any way, no need to fret! Will the quality improve? I sure hope so considering the fact that I'm back at this, hopefully on a steady path now. I'm not sure what else I can answer at this point, you'll just have to keep reading to find out I guess. Yes it is going to be a fuckton of text, don't forget I'm the one that had to write it all out at some point.

Recently (10 minutes ago as of when I wrote this) I (had what I like to call) a conversation (but really I talked too much as per usual because I had too much to keep inside) with an old friend. I had a (sober) thought at the beginning of this weekend. What I'm about to say isn't the thought itself, but it's connected (you'll see why soon enough, and no these brackets won't stop). For a very long time, like anyone else, I've been asked "What do you intend to do with your life?". It's a very loaded question that I find changes meaning as the years go by. But ultimately the answer has been somewhat consistent with my core values and understanding of the world, as limited as it is, and I'd like to change the world. Before the moments of my death I'd like to be a part of something that changes the world somehow and I am able to see that change before my eyes. Talk about a tall order, coming from a kid who failed his English exam in the winter and can't seem to get his lazy ass to the gym.

But that thought had to have come from somewhere. It has come from the same place the thoughts like it before have come. This hasn't been my 1st moment of clarity, but it feels overly repetitive at this point. My friend however tells me that I am wrong in thinking that's a bad thing, that everyone gets those thoughts from time to time. This reminds me of the quote "Don't compare everyone's highlight reel to your behind the scenes." said by that guy at that one place that one time etc. I can think of 3 direct moments of clarity that have gone on to impact me on a level I had never imagined.

The 1st was the day my brother showed me the Dub FX video and I never saw music the same way again. From that day on I had to get myself writing about anything and everything, and I loved every moment of it. All the shitty lines about how tough it was being 14 (having your crush ignore you in the hall was a death sentence basically) was an amazing process. Thinking of rhymes in the shower and then scrambling to write them down without even bothering to dry my hair, carrying my notebook anywhere and everywhere I went. Sure, I wasn't exactly a Mozart of the English language. But I seemed to love it and I saw that I was getting better, sometimes people would like my stuff as well and that was nice to hear. It was a way for me to push myself based on my own ability, and I grew as a result.

The 2nd time was when I decided to pursue dance. I don't remember the exact day but I remember stumbling upon a YouTube video of the Jabbawockeez and their first routine for ABDC (America's Best Dance Crew). I was astonished that people were able to move in those spectacular ways all because of practice. So I asked myself "why can't I do that?" Because really, why the hell not? And what followed was the most reasonable reaction to the pursuit of dance. Lessons in my room on styles/routines, whenever a new dance craze popped up I learned it ASAP (all the cool kids knew how to Jerk and Dougie back in the day) and so it evolved into a passion.

Both of these moments were very significant for me, but the unfortunate thing is that I have dropped them for an extended amount of time. As stated previously, these moments of clarity are temporary if they are dismissed. The only way that they will stick is if words are put into actions and further into habits. Yet again I am at these crossroads where I have a choice in front of me: continue down my path of plateau or pursue something different. If you're anything of a super-sleuth you'll be able to tell which one was chosen by the time the next post comes out. Oh and the 3rd time I had a moment of clarity? I'd like to think that the moment passed 45 minutes ago when I began writing this post but I'm not certain enough to say that's true. Maybe it'll come at 3AM in the middle of January or maybe this is my last moment. I sure hope it's the first one, I love me some Eggnog in the middle of the night. In all seriousness though (uh oh time to be an adult) I'd like to make sure that these moments pass with a feeling of satisfaction, that I had done enough up until this point to achieve what is to be achieved tomorrow. University ought to be fun, 4th week and I'm already thinking internally. Post dedicated to Seth because he took the time to let me vent out some thoughts I had, thnx bud.

Cheers, MarkL

P.S. Can't believe I forgot the most integral part of the post. The idea that I had that extended from the 2 moments I listed above is the following - Since I'd like to change the world someday, maybe the best way to start change is first become the change. I mean, if you'd like to make a certain impression on the world you have to embody that impression and live by it. The people that do help this world tend to embody the exact conditions and aspects that they brought onto the world. It worked for them, so why not me? Why.....not?

Whatever happened to Pay it Forward?

In the 21^st century social media is now more than simply a way to connect with old friends and colleagues, it is now one of the largest contributors to social trends. These trends have ranged from entertaining – Harlem Shake, awareness raising – ALS ice bucket challenge, and just plain stupid – Neknominations.

The Neknominations caused quite a stir both on social media and off. Once nominated you had to find a way to top the previous challenger’s Neknomination. This of course led to nominees performing the challenge in escalating circumstances, drinking stronger beverages and doing more crazy stunts either during or after consuming their beverage. As a result at least 5 deaths were reported in the United Kingdom and Ireland alone.

Neknominations became a craze overnight and it wasn’t stopping anytime soon once it caught hold in highschools all around. I could never understand why students as young as 16 would pose risk to themselves simply for a stunt that wouldn’t be relevant in 5 years. Weren’t we taught at the beginning of highschool to be cautious of what we post online in fear of background checks by future employers?

I remember going to curling practice one evening and hearing that someone on the team had just done their Neknomination. They were in no state to go onto the ice that day, but that didn’t seem to stop them from doing just that. While some students sat on the sidelines and watched the circus unfold, I was terrified that a serious injury was bound to occur as he stepped on the ice. If this had been the case the coach in charge of our supervision could have possibly lost his job because he wasn’t aware that a student had shown up to practice intoxicated. And to think that should be a concern on his part in this day and age to me is appalling.

As the Neknominations died down in the social media world, another challenge stemmed directly from it: Feed the Deed. This was the polar opposite of Neknominations in a way because now participants had to film themselves performing a random act of kindness for a stranger and nominate friends and family to do the same.

I do not question the need for a Pay-it-Forward’esque challenge but rather the need for it to be filmed. Is it really a necessity to show others how kind you are on film? What would be the motivation behind your actions in the first place, the fact that you actually want to commit an act of kindness or just be a part of the trend? The unique thing about social media is that often times people don’t have to ask each other that question because it’s now socially acceptable to do the latter without being judged. And I find that tragic.

The reason being, if #FeedtheDeed had never gone viral then imagine how many acts of kindness would have never occured in the first place? And what is truly important then, the intention behind the action or the action itself? Unfortunately this way of thinking is quickly dropped once the topic of fitting in comes into conversation. It’s as if the 2 go hand in hand for today’s youth: willingly participating in possibly dangerous or exploitive activities just to be a part of it all.

Sometimes the original idea of a social trend just becomes watered down and is used as yet another method to seek attention. A prime example of this would be the ongoing ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. It started as a way to educate people about the effects of ALS because the momentary feeling of ice on your skin is what ALS patients go through for years on end. It’s unfortunate that it has now turned into a way for people to simply challenge each other just for the sake of being a part of it.

Although the argument can be made that the “campaign” has raised mass amounts of awareness for the cause, many are unaware why the challenge requires an ice bucket in the first place. I doubt that many of the participants would go the extra mile to donate more than simply money or a 20 seconds video and instead put time to volunteer for the cause.

Social media has proven to be an amazing marketing tool for those willing to compromise their morals for attention. But even with that in mind it has managed to mould the generations to come, whether or not the change has been positive will be revealed in the coming years. All I can say for now is that careful attention has to be paid when actions are justified by the allure of attention instead of what is truly right or wrong.

Cheers, MarkL