Filed under: Attitudes
I wrote this last Thursday. It is about time it saw the publishing key. Is it a rant? I don’t know. I forewarned on Saturday that it would be arriving soon. As I wrote in a recent post, I have been observing a lot of attitudes. Attitudes, of which some are pure thoughtlessness, and some quite conscious. Attitudes can hide behind a multitude of masks, the roots of which are as numerous as there are individuals. This is a statement that I seem to be frequently expressing. As I have read on many a blog, “It is my blog, and I can write whatever I want”. Well, so can I.
I am still new to this blogging world. In a way it feels as though I started yesterday, and in other ways I feel that forever has gone by. My blog is three months old. I imagined this world of blogging to be a melting pot of creativity, and a place where a multitude of ideas and personal reflections were exchanged. This much is true. It is exactly that.
The disturbing aspect is that I see others being knocked down, made fun of, and unnecessary attitudes and behaviors. Is it a result of competitiveness? Personal unhappiness? Low self-esteem? It is certainly food for thought.
Although I should have anticipated it, I must admit that I still do find it surprising, and even though the community is in many ways representative of the world in which we live. If the attitudes are symptoms of competitiveness it might be easier to understand.
Do not misunderstand, and regard me as someone adverse to competition. I grew up a red-blooded American girl, privy to the priveleges. From athletics and academics, to the arts; I have always been more than capable of going up against the best. I have tried most things, and when I focus on a task, watch out. Yet, as I mature and grow older, my sharp pointy edges have become rounded. In good American, ‘I’m getting too old for that shit’.
There is nothing wrong with competition in itself. It is but a word, and a concept. It is how individuals deal with it that becomes the turn-off.
The blogging community is an excellent opportunity for individuals of the world to learn to understand each other a little better. A way in which we can be more personal, and in touch with the world outside of our national borders. A world in which we can enjoy the creative work of others, revel in it, inspired by it.
I have personally been fortunate in my experience. I have met some fantastic writers. Fantastic describing their personalities. I do believe that we have inspired each other, collaborated in creativity, and have had some hilarious and reflective spin-offs from each other. It has made my blogging experience a memorable one thus far, and reminds me of a true process of creativity.
Many times writers show very little interest in the creativity around them, yet sit and expect to be admired. I shall buy them a few mirrors. Some are only concerned with their own niches, keeping a hawk-eye on the competition. Another tendency I have seen are the misconceptions that there is a non-abundance of readers in the world. This means that people become unwilling to promote the work of others, and even when they come across writing that is truly incredible. For it might take something away from themselves, eh?
Perhaps the attitudes and behavior I see is competitiveness after all. Is knocking others down a part of that process, also? It does tend to surface. I would even term some of it, as plain and simple ‘blogger-bashing’. I’ve used that term before. I find it not only disturbing, it angers me.
I get around. I read somewhere that I, ‘am everywhere’. I wouldn’t go as far as that, but I am fortunate to have plenty of time to blog. I am thankful for that. One of my strengths is that I am efficient, of which my previous career was dependent upon. It is no chore. I enjoy it. I prioritize time to get out there, and read.
The syndrome of knocking others down is not so innocent. Here is an example described through my own personal life experience.
I have told many a time about my years living in Norway. I will never forget those first years after moving alone to a new country, and having to learn a new language in order to survive and thrive in that culture. As my language skills developed, it was quite difficult for others to ‘hear’ that I was intelligent and highly educated. My lacking vocabulary, and my tripping tongue made me seem an idiot. Another foreigner. Tsk tsk, and the shaking of heads.
After 18 years of not speaking English (American), I am now in the process of gaining back my vocabulary and writing skills, of which I once took for granted. I am not talking about taking Spanish classes in high school, folks. I am talking about having to daily operate in a foreign language. Not just a, ‘I’ll have a hotdog, please’. I am talking about surviving in a professional working environment, figuring out the system, and everything pertaining to daily life.
Some ‘foreigners’ will have to educate themselves anew. I was one of them. My BA was not useful over there, so I had to go back to college for a new Bachelor’s degree. It required me to fumble through not only Norwegian, but also Danish and Swedish literature. It was by no means easy! Yet, I am stronger for the work and experience, and I do not regret it.
There are quite a few bloggers among us that have to utilize English in order to reach a larger audience than their native language can provide. Do they receive understanding for their ongoing process of language development, and appreciation for the fact that they have to go the extra mile? No. Are they met with encouragement? Seldom.
I observe and read them being ignored, overlooked, and ‘put down’ by some. Of course, nothing like hiding it behind a little humor to make it seem a little less dangerous. Ha! It is their problem if their feelings are hurt by it, right? I blatantly call it disrespectful.
For all of those that find satisfaction in doing this, I would gladly ship you off to foreign shores by your lonesome, dumping you off with a, “survive, and no more English”. I will tell you that any feelings of ‘high and mighty’ would disintegrate quicker than flint. Especially when the natives laugh and scoff at the funny sounds rolling off your tongues.
If it should be competitiveness that is at the core, there is a quick cure for this type of arrogancy. Focus rather on the work of writers that you admire, and your own creative development.
Remember something important. It has been said to treat people with kindness on your way up, because at some point, you just may meet them once again on your way back down. Ah, the sweetness of competition, as the tables can quickly turn.
Take a look at The Landing post down below. I usually have fun with this series, however, this particular post was written with purpose. It was most likely a result of the continuation of my thought process after writing this post, and an additional one on Friday. I placed a lot of attitudes in it. Issues that are prevalent in this particular society, masked behind humor.
One last note. For all assuming that my talk of ‘humor’ is pointed at humor bloggers, you are assuming incorrectly. That which I mentioned in this post are things that I have observed elsewhere.
Image: http://www.wordsru.com/
