I must be quite thoughtless and uncaring human being because, I was not affected in anyway by that story of the woman who put a cat in a wheelie bin last week. I have no pets and I am not a cat hater or a dog hater in anyway and I don't think what was done to the poor cat was right but I was shocked by the maliciousness and anger that this CCTV footage has caused. The incident even warrant a discussion on Sunday morning TV about whether people are perhaps too obsessed with their pets. Perhaps, the discussion or the question should be why is there an obsession to judge and prosecute others on a small piece of footage or news?
Then this week, is the prosecution of William Hague and one of his advisers because they shared a twin bedded hotel room while on a campaign trail. This media revelation, as it were called into question the 'inappropriate relationship' they supposedly possessed. How does sharing a bedroom lead to an assumption of there being an 'inappropriate relationship'? Don't boys go on rugby or football tours, sometimes end up sharing twin bedded rooms? Does the situation become controversial, implying some sordid, hidden 'relationship' because parties concern here are involved in the public life? Does creating headlines, selling more papers or increasing more viewership or clicks on a website justifies the unravelling of lives affected by this whole circus?
As much as I or anyone can be angry with the media or others who are directly responsible for creating and feeding such news for public consumption, I find it very sad that people actually participate in the media circus by making comments that fueled these situations even more. I wonder what they would say to others if their own lives are being scrutinised, being critically analysed and debated over, judged and being made a mockery of in the public? I won't be suprised if I hear screams of ' Mind your own bloody business'. So shouldn't we give others regardless if they are ordinary people or people who have a public life, the same respect we would like, expect and demand from others? Have we no flaws or things in our lives that we wouldn't necessary want our neighbours, colleagues, friends and even families to know about?
The question that needs to be asked is - are people's lives so empty, devoid of meaning or excitement that someone else's life becomes more interesting? Has the hum drum of everyday living - work, family and all the mundaneness of living caused people to be voyeuristic or live their lives through others? Or perhaps, it makes people feel better about themselves by looking for flaws, faults and wrong-doings in others, so they can vent their pent up frustrations, angst and dissatisfaction at someone or something else.
Worst of all, the anonymity of the internet, provides the safety net to do just that. It is so easy for people to leave comments, to expound and express their feelings, with no regard for consequences. Freedom of speech and expression? Or the next best thing, get a pet who, regardless what you say, regardless how flawed you are will remain loyal and dedicated to you as long as you provide food, shelter and 'love'.
