I think this dog has a worthwhile lesson for humans. I’ve seen him several times at the beach and I’ve always gotten a good laugh watching him chase the water back and forth. He spins around and jumps straight up in the air and barks at the bubbles in the sea foam. He’s just acting goofy, and it clearly makes him happy.
There’s an interesting article in this month’s issue of Rolling Stone magazine about how fear is used as a psychological weapon to influence people’s behavior, whether to get our vote or to get our money, or both. Politicians use hate, fear and anger to sell themselves for a really simple reason – it works. We are quick, almost eager, to buy into the message that complex problems can be simplified to a single villain that bears the blame for everything wrong in the world.
In the lead up to the November elections we are being slammed by messages of fear and hate. This is a self-serving, short-sighted tactic that is incredibly unhealthy for us as individuals and for our liberal democracy. The people doing it don’t care about the long-term consequences of their fear-mongering for the rest of us.
What can we do?
Our existence is tragically ephemeral and it seems like such a mistake to spend it being pissed-off at something or somebody. As long as we are receiving messages of fear 24/7 from our television, radio, or digital devices we will keep sinking lower into the darkness of hate and anger. Turn them off for extended periods of time and get outside and do something just for fun. It’s even better if it involves being around lots of other people, especially a diverse group of people. Get out and let go of pent-up angst by embracing your inner goofiness.
That’s my survival advice for the next few weeks. I got it from the dog.
Monte