The Dying Squirrel
By Robin Lamb
@troyburns (1405)
New Zealand
October 5, 2015 12:14am CST
Hello to old friends and new ones I'm yet to meet. You may know me from a couple of other platforms where I wrote a few inciteful pieces under the alias 'Scootermac'. I'd hoped to keep that name going here but the censorship gremlins took exception to the second to seventh letters of my happy little pseudonym. Needless to say, I immediately abandoned all plans to use 'thepenismightier' in its place.
Anyway, the dying squirrel...
Some years ago, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg famously suggested that "A squirrel dying in your front yard may be more relevant to your interests right now than people dying in Africa," and his billion dollar fortune has been built on that principle because most of us prefer things that way.
The problem is, if we're not careful, our awareness of the world may be completely shaped by what's going on in our own front yards, leading to empty or conflicting narratives shadowed by the threat of cognitive dissonance. You don't have to look much further than Oregon to see how this might happen. A complex human tragedy demanding broad understandings has instead been overrun by a multitude of agendas.
By the way, we don't have squirrels in New Zealand - both greys and reds are prohibited critters - but if I ever saw one dying, I'd no doubt want to write about it.
Stay well.
7 people like this
8 responses
@albto_568 (1268)
• Costa Rica
5 Oct 15
Hello Robin Lamb, I have never heard this quotation of Mark Zuckerberg before, but, I have heard enough of him already for not having him in my christmas list. Anyway, is sad to realize that he is not completely wrong about it, since in our world today, people more and more looks for their own interests and do not mind for anyone else. I do not put myself outside of this, I have to admit, yet, sometimes we have to look outside our own backyards, and see other people's needs.
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
5 Oct 15
I'm often guilty of this too - I know very little about Costa Rica, for instance! I do try to see many sides of the big stories, but it's not always easy. The way news and other media operate these days, we are more likely to be fed information which supports our prejudices instead of being offered ideas which might challenge us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
3 people like this
@albto_568 (1268)
• Costa Rica
5 Oct 15
@troyburns Feeling guilty is a good symptom. 
indiference is much worse. I absolutely agree with you, we are fed by the media with so much nonsense, that we just do not distinguish things that are really important.
indiference is much worse. I absolutely agree with you, we are fed by the media with so much nonsense, that we just do not distinguish things that are really important.1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
5 Oct 15
It seems a profound thought at the same time if everyone took care of themselves and their surroundings this world would have no issues to deal with.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
9 Oct 15
@troyburns My motto is 'Love yourself and help save planet earth'
1 person likes this
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
9 Oct 15
You're right. Most of the war and strife across the globe is caused by neighbors. Look after your family, your tribe, your neighbor's tribe and your neighbors country and most of the terrible problems will disappear.
1 person likes this
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
9 Oct 15
I'm intrigued too. The system wouldn't let me have it as a username but it seems fine in a post. Thanks for the squirrel offer. I shall be checking my inbox for cyber-squirrel deliveries.
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
9 Oct 15
I'd say 90+percent of the people I know (in person or online) don't give two hoots about what is happening in other parts of the world. I suppose I'm guilty of that too, though. If I really cared about sweatshops, for instance, I'd be shopping quite differently.
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
8 Oct 15
When something happens close to home we are more likely to imagine it happening to us. You'd think with the way we can now connect across the globe, this would change.
2 people like this
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
9 Oct 15
Hi @Sheilamarie78 - I remember you from the Bubbly site. I think we are connecting better with the plight of individuals around the world - but only individuals. We haven't learned yet how to worry about groups of people anywhere near as much.
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
7 Oct 15
i'm so delighted that'cha made yer way here 's i've so missed yer delightful humor 'n insights, yer empathy 'n quiet understandin', my friend.
the media tells what they wish the world to know, not always the facts 'n i've yet to figure their true agenda in doin' such sadly. i agree that buryin' all the wrongs 'f the world don't make the strife 'f fella human bein's any less real, nor insignificant. big 
to ya!
to ya!1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38663)
• Midland, Michigan
10 Oct 15
I'd heard about you on one site or another, but I don't remember why. I'm sure it was good though.
It is odd that you're not allowed certain sections of words with a username, but on posts it's fine. Maybe they're thinking your username may show up in searches more than your posts, but that doesn't make much sense either.
I thought the title of this post was a bit odd, but I completely understand now. And, I agree, sometimes I feel like I got my head in the sand a bit too much. I can blame it on my busy schedule, but if I don't know about things I can't pray for the people involved. I do try to remember to pray for my city and things happening here whether I can see them or not, especially when I pass an accident or situation taking place on the side of the street. I go in streaks, though, and sometimes forget all about everything but what I'm doing.
