tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post7984791600699521047..comments2024-02-04T05:13:04.501-05:00Comments on Nik at Nite: The Complexities of Internet GriefNikki Staffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463618183850438914noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-33228273141055505642015-08-04T13:22:47.215-04:002015-08-04T13:22:47.215-04:00Nikki, your sentiments strike a cord in all of us....Nikki, your sentiments strike a cord in all of us. As for the dentist who hunted Cecil, extradition to Zimbabwe does exist and is being pursued. Once U.S. authorities have him, he will be transported to Zimbabwe. Now it is possible the U.S. will decide against that, but all in all it would be politically damaging to deny extradition. It will take time, going through State Department, Attorney General, then a court hearing with a judge to determine if threshold is met. The judge cannot deny extradition based on country to which the defendant is extradited. All of this will take time. <br /><br />My own take on internet outrage is it often doesn't amount to very much. If people want to make a difference, they have to be out there, either in the streets, or supporting a political movement or NGO, or taking time at their local church. <br /><br />I agree with Page48's last two lines that we have given internet advocacy too much credit, perhaps because it is there every day. Fifty or more years ago, people got up on soapboxes in Hyde Park and spouted off on this and that. People listened, some cheered, but not much ever really came of these grass-roots advocates.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01474623954925835867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-8515215530432415802015-07-31T19:27:39.196-04:002015-07-31T19:27:39.196-04:00What to make of that internet outrage thingy! What...What to make of that internet outrage thingy! What did people do with their outrage BEFORE the internet? <br /><br />There's a lot of anger out there waiting for an outlet and it doesn't much matter how trivial the excuse is to sound off. Change.org recently solicited signatures for a petition started by some poor mommy who was "outraged" with McDonald's because they were so incredibly insensitive as to label their blue Happy Meal toy a boy's toy on her receipt. Oh, the humanity! Hundreds of people signed this petition, many foaming at the mouth. I took the opportunity to unsubscribe permanently. I think that a lot of these people are just plain angry, but aren't necessarily sure why and just seize on any opportunity to vent. <br /><br />People definitely respond more emotionally to atrocities committed against animals than against people. Deep down inside, I know it's not right, but I don't find it surprising. I don't know how many articles I've read recently about the growing "loneliness crisis", but if this is the reality for a growing segment of society, then it's probably no wonder that animal cruelty draws a greater outcry than racially motivated mass murder. Let's face it, it's almost always easier to love the neighbour's labradoodle than it is to love the neighbour. We love animals. We can touch animals, hug animals, and play with animals. Try petting the pretty girl at the ATM and see where that gets you. Hell, if you're a Grade 2 teacher, you better not even hug a 6 year old kid with a skinned knee. The Twitterverse will want your job.<br /><br />We've often heard that yawns are contagious. The clown in the office next to me yawns and before you know it, I'm yawning too. I think a lot of internet outrage is similar in principle. Internet outrage seems to be contagious. It's mob behaviour. Think of the young woman at Ottawa's Bluesfest who snapped a picture of Bubba in his Dukes of Hazzard shorts. Oh, the outrage. 99% of the people who let 'er rip on Twitter about that doofus probably don't know the Confederate flag from the fleur de lis, but they sure are pissed at Bluesfest for even allowing this guy on their property. Bluesfest should APOLOGIZE, dammit! How ridiculous is that?<br /><br />Trying to make sense of internet outrage is to give it too much credit. Internet outrage doesn't need a cause of any importance, just any excuse and an itchy Twitter finger. Get a celebrity on board and the fireworks can be spectacular.Page48https://www.blogger.com/profile/09728079057077761364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-79049520930855446712015-07-31T09:12:33.659-04:002015-07-31T09:12:33.659-04:00Excellent post Nikki - you have articulated the fe...Excellent post Nikki - you have articulated the feelings I've had since reports of Cecil's death surfaced. It's easier to join together and grieve the loss of a majestic lion, where there are no conflicts of race, politics, religion, sexuality, etc., but we can't forget that there are terrible, terrible things happening to people all over the world, every minute of every day, and that deserves our outrage, and our focus as well. <br /><br />All that said, I still wish that we could send Cecil's killer, unarmed, out into the bush with some lions and see what happens. Forest City Fashionistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04428940427287921203noreply@blogger.com