AS part of a test run of this blog please answer the following question in a blog post of your own.
THEN respond to at least one blog posting of someone else. Be thoughtful and focus on the main idea of the writer.
Journal discussion question 1
Why do you think people turn away from bad things? (Think about tv stories about famine in East Africa, or that ASPCA commercial with the pitiful dogs, or radio reports on unemployment rates going up in Milwaukee.) In other words why do people change the channel or station instead of listening or watching these types of things?
Why do people turn away from bad things?
ReplyDeleteIt's a very broad question. I could probably go on for hours on end if I really had the time, patience, desire or attention span to do so. But I digress.
In my opinion, people turn away from bad things because they don't want to deal with them. They would rather be ingorant and happy than informed and worried.
For example, let's say a man (let's call him Steve :3) hears a rumor that his boss is looking to lay off some of the company's workers, and he is among the group that might be targeted. So he just ignores it, trying not to think about it so that he doesn't worry about it.
It's a human reflex (I think that's a good term for it), if you really think about it. Why do people try not to think about traumatic experiences? Because it affects them negatively. Sure, sometimes, it's completely unavoidable. But that's not really the point of this journal, is it?
In short, people turn away from bad things to try to not think about them.
Why do you think people turn away from bad things? Why do people change the channel instead of viewing these types of things? I think it is just because no one likes to see the bad things in the world. People view the world and their lives as they wish too. In their own aspects and everyones are different based on what they have experienced and what affected their lives thus far. When seeing these "bad" things it makes them feel uncomfortable and so they look away. They want to be able to forget the bad and live in a world of good. By not looking you can pretend it isn't there.
ReplyDeleteI belive people turn away from bad things because it makes us feel uncomfortable. We don't know how to deal with situations that we don't have control over. I think that people think that if they ignore the problem it will just go away and they won't have to deal with it. The world is full of problems but people want to believe that these problems don't exist.
ReplyDeleteI think that people may be afraid to know whats going on and that the certain sucject that is involved may make them uncomfortable. Subjects like animal abuse, or famine make people sad or depressed and contant like that they tend to shy away. I don't blame them cause some things shown on T.V may be life changing. So thats why people tend to avoid these subjects, it makes them feel bad so they rather noy know about it.
ReplyDeleteI think that people turn away from bad things because they don't wanna hear about it or even want to do with it. Some people can't take hearing bad things because they will feel sad about it or they don't like hearing it. It might hurt them to hear the bad things happening in the news or watching a sad television show. A lot of people like to be happy, and they would like to stay happy. They don't want to be hearing on the news about a little girl being killed by a hit and run. Or this poor teenager shot to death. It might bring the viewer bad memories and they don't want to go back down that road. And sometimes parents that watch the news don't want to think if that is their kid. That's why I think people turn away from watching bad things, or flip the channel.
ReplyDeleteI think that people turn away from bad things so they don't have to deal with them. Instead of watching that tv show about world hunger they just don't watch it so that they don't have to feel guilty for living the lives that they live. They would rather just not know about them so that those things wont exist in their life.
ReplyDeletePeople turn awayfrom bad things because they don't want to deal with the emotional stress that comes with them. People would rather pretend bad things don't happen than try and fix them.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people actually turn away from bad things because they are become uncomortable and don't want to face the real facts. They see that commerical or hear about bad things that are happening around the world or even right by them. They feel bad or guilty that they have a better life then what those people have. But then the guilt comes through because they don't even do anything about it. They just have it pass by them without any recognition.
ReplyDeletei think that people turn away from bad things because they think that if they dont see it, then it doesnt happen, however that isnt true at all. If people would insted of turning away from the evil, try to do something about it they could change the could possibly change the out come. Sadly, people dont, so evil continues.
ReplyDeleteI think that people turn away from bad things because they dont want to see it. Turing the tv off or avoiding the problem is better.I also feel like bad things happening in the world shown on the news, tv and other things have become such a norm that we dont even pay atention to them as much anymore. We just get use to it.
ReplyDeleteI think people turn the channel versus dealing with the issue because it is much easier for us as humans to just act as if a problem doesnt exist. I think this becomes people's coping skill for many things, we act as if the problem doesn't exist and then it kind of escapes our mind.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Ashley and I feel the same that it's hard for those with better lives to imagine what its like and instead of us wanting to find out or help we just act as if it doesn't exist.
I think that people turn away from the bad things shown because "ignorance is bliss". They would rather not know about the negative things in life so they don't have to deal with it. It's ideal for them to pretend the world is perfect so they don't have to put up with the guilt of not helping in bad situations.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ashley. I think that is exactly why people turn away from the bad and she said it perfectly. :)
ReplyDeletei belive that people flip the channel and disregard things like this because it does not involve them and they have no desire to take notice in futher concerns in the world.
ReplyDeleteAngela has a very valid point and the way she put it is lovely!
ReplyDeletePeople turn away from bad things simply because it is easier to push them aside rather than dealing with them. It's just a lot easier pretending that horrible things aren't happening and going on with our daily lives. But the truth of the matter is that terrible things are indeed happening in the world and it shouldn't be something that can be pushed out of our minds.
ReplyDeleteI think that people turn away from problems and change the channel on the t.v is because they are too scared to face reality. They might think that just beacuse they can change the channel they don't have to hear about this things no more.But the more the they to run away from them the more they are going to face.
ReplyDeletejournal discussion 1
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think people turn away from bad things?
Simply becuase it is easier to not do anything and dismiss other's troubles. In this day and age, it is to much work to be outstanding and terrific, that one must omit time from other tasks of life to continue there ideas. Competition is just so much today, everyone is trying to be the best, and the best simply do not have time to worry about those who are not the best becuase they must excel in their duties. Things that are bad are things that people want to aviod, whether it be a zit, or a mass murderer, people just dont like bad things, and as said before, this is essiantal to the survival to themselves and the human race.
I think people turn away from bad things because it hurts them and it makes them sad. People think the world is a nice place, but in reality, its really not. When the starvation commercials come on, people know they can help to change it, but choose not to or can't because of their financial situation. No one wants to be hurt and sad because of these commercials and real life problems.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people change the channel when they see a starving child or a pitiful dog because they would rather not see it, and when they change the channel, that problem disappears to them and they forget about it. I also agree with Lindsey v. I'm sure that they feel bad for the starving child or pitiful dog but they change the channel because it hurts to see that happen and its sad, but then most people do nothing about it. They would rather forget about it, or they think that they have too much going on in their own lives to have time to help out and stop these problems.
ReplyDeleteI think people turn away from bad things, such as turning the channel when ASPCA commercial with the dogs come on or the commercial asking for you to help the starving children in Africa because they don't believe that these things could possibly exist in the world. Truth is, it does exist. I also believe that they don't want to hear how people are treating their children or pets because it makes them feel melancholy, so they turn they channel to avoid it. A real life example would be seeing a homeless person on the street and crossing to the other side of the street or turning away just to avoid him asking for the change in your pocket.
ReplyDeleteI think people turn away from bad things because they're tired of hearing about the same things going on like hurricane Irene or Gas price or Unemployment.Also hearing these things might bring someone down. We all have some kinda of problems in our life and hearing all the bad stuff on the news doesnt help. Another thought is how do you think the people who have to report the "bad news" feel? people just think thats their job and they get payed to do it but bad new affects everyone in my opinion, it makes someone uncomfortable in some way, shape or form.
ReplyDelete--Tevis J.
I think Tevis makes a valid point. Not just wanting to shut out the negative things, but becoming weary of them is a good explanation of why people would turn away from bad things.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Kristina. She explained everything perfectly.(:
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think people turn away from bad things because of the mere fact that they don't want to receive the consequences for something they didn't do or wanted no part in. Also, looking at the homeless, abused and starved dogs, I turn away from that because it makes me sad knowing that there really are animals that are treated that way. Humans too. Abusive relationships for example, most people want to leave those but probably fear for their lives and the ones around them that if they leave, the abuser would find them and hurt them more. Same with homeless people on the street. People will cross to the other side, roll up their windows, pretend like they have nothing to give. Some people can't give anything because the economy is terrible. But even the smallest amount of change can make a difference. If you put the thought into it, saving a little bit of money can pay off in the long run, so can giving it to someone who is in desperate need.
ReplyDeleteLindsey made a very valid point about how no one wants to feel sad when commercials pop up. Elizabeth too, very valid point, worded very well.
People seem to need to turn away from the evil in the world as a defense mechanism. They turn away simply because they don't wanna deal with the problem and they would rather sit and let others take care of it because they don't understand and don't want to believe what terrible things are happening in the world.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with Gomez when saying that people are just too scared to face reality in the world today. Its just the way we feel because we live in our own lil worlds and live in denial.
ReplyDeleteI think that people turn away from the bad things shown because they don't want to hear it. They don't want to feel guilty. They would rather not know about the negative things so they won't have to feel guilty or deal with them.
ReplyDeleteSince I finally figured out to how this blog thing, people have already said all that I was going to. People are sick of hearing about bad times and bad things that happen. Frankly, its depressing. It's better to be oblivious and happy then knowledgable and miserable. The human race shies away from bad times. They always think, someone else will take care of it. I'm too busy...yadda yadda yadda. The truth is, people need to start acknowledging things and help out.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth makes very good point about what people do around us to avoid these types of situations. I have witnessed people actually walking to the other side of the street to avoid homeless people and it is very sad to see people do that.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people just get annoyed from these bad things. Issues like unemployment rates, politics, and society issues. People turn away because then they don't have to deal with more extra stress about these issues.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Ben. People don't want to deal with anymore stress.
ReplyDeleteI think that there are two answers to this question. One, is that people just do not care enough about the situation. Or two, they are just to lazy to get involved and help. Everyone should be willing to help in some way because if something were to happen to them, they would want other people to help.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Elizabeth. She used a strong example that we have all experienced to prove her point.
ReplyDeletei comepletely agree with bsquared when they say "its depressing. It's better to be oblivious and happy then knowledgable and miserable". I think that, that is so true. Our own lives can sometimes not be going very well, so why would we want to add to that by hearing about other more depressing events in the world. Sometimes being happy is all that matters.
ReplyDeleteI believe people turn away from bad things because they dont want to see what they could help if they felt the urge to. Many people could do very little things to help those in need. like the genocide in Rwanda awhile back, as we all saw in the movie people didn't help and people even fleed well thousands were slaughtered in a way not even the most evil man should die.
ReplyDeleteI believe people turn away from bad things because they don't want to face reality. There are so many complexities facing our world today, and issues that we are going to have to face but it's easier for people to turn away. The future has huge unanswered questions, but some of them need to be answered for our own well being in the future. It's much easier though to ignore it and go along in our everyday lives and have somebody else face those issues.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most everyone, looks like we al lhave very similar postings on why people turn away from reality
ReplyDeletePeople turn the channel or even turn their TV off because the terrible events like 9/11 disturb them. Its not easy to watch world event where a whole city is being destroyed or a disease killed 1,000 people in Europe. Turning the TV off is a way to slow down the news from really making an impact on a person. Thats what I think.
ReplyDeleteI agree with elizabethseidl because these things do exist and we can make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI think people turn away from bad things because they don't want to admit to their own faults. Someitmes, people complain so much about global situtations and it eventually becomes just social discussion. People don't always ignore situations, sometimes they even just ignore the fact that they probably don't know as much of what is truly happenin because they only speak about it to people in conversation.
ReplyDeleteHowever, people who truly turn away from such horrible things is probably out of fear. Fear from admitting that we are capable of creating such horrible problems in the world. Also, fear that possibly conflicts will be created between the person causing the problem and the person witnessing the problem knowing that it is such a terrible thing.
I think that people turn away from bad things because they have enough things going on in their own lives so they don't want to deal with them. They would rather not know about them than know about the bad things and feel bad for not helping.
ReplyDeletei think people change the channel because we dont want to feel the guilt that you could be doing something but i know that i wont
ReplyDeleteI think that sometimes people try to avoid a critical situation because they dont want to go into the trouble to worry about something that will take lots of time to figure out.
ReplyDeleteIn response to norachaneske: I also agree with you on how some people dont want to deal with the guilt, knowing that they could do something about the problem.
ReplyDeleteI agree with jenny zimma
ReplyDeleteI think people turn away from bad things because it's easier for everyone to just ignore them; let someone else handle the problem. They might not want it to interfere with their day to day life, or maybe they just don't want to know about the bad in the world. Which is understandable. But if the bad is ignored, theres no way a good can come out of it.
ReplyDeleteI also totally agree with MelanieMadden. Fear is definitely a huge factor.
I also agree with what Justin said. 1 because he a very nice man and 2 is because he totally makes sense in what he is trying to say.
ReplyDelete