Now I'm not much into fads or what's current or really, the mainstream in general. I cannot stand to listen to "the radio". It's in parentheses here because I'm referring to garbage Top 40 Music. I am so ready for this auto-tune craze to be over with. Furthermore, most of you know I hate Nickelback with the passion of...well, I hate them a lot. I never understood Radiohead and Arcade Fire just doesn't push my inner "that's a good song" button. Hey, I like Kings of Leon just as much as the next person, but I totally understand how fan's of their previous stuff got upset when they crossed over into mainstream (by no fault of their own, mind you).
It's not just music either. I don't like Facebook. I just stopped caring about status updates and your college football team. I was tired of witnessing people "check in" on Google Maps. But please don't mistake this for being bitter or making fun of anybody (I have reserved the next paragraph for that), it (fads/mainstream) is just not for me. It took me years to create a Pandora account.
However, a thing that often irks me is the (fad)ing philanthropic heart. And I'm basically going to blame this on at&t, well partly, because as much bad as they've done to enforce the utter disregard for things outside the bubble that surrounds the majority, NOT ALL (thank God), but the majority of today's youth, the good that has come from their ever presentness has created an ultimately good end result. You have no idea what I'm talking about.....so keep reading.
But it's so easy today to hear about a cause or movement and jump in with full force these days. Can we really justify becoming part of a movement by posting a link or video to our Facebook or blog. For proof just check the post directly below this one! Am I a advocate for La Chureca all of a sudden? Is my humanitarian requirement in life satisfied by "liking" the Japan relief effort? Maybe....
I think my semi bitter prose stems from having to endure a uncaring, unempathetic, unaware generation that is the engine behind social media. This group spends more time on Facebook than life it seems. So connected but utterly unconnected. Ironic. But even more ironic is that this system that produces opposite results at the same time, can actually create a lot of good, even though the people behind it are oblivious to the good they're creating.
So what I'm getting at is this. There is something happening on April 5th that could be cool, but it's not just for the cool kids, it's for everyone. It's Toms Shoes "Day Without Shoes". If you want to know more about it, look it up, and know what it's about. I like the idea, a lot. But am I going to participate? Don't know. I don't know much about the movement. And I'm not a fadovement type of guy. However I do know I can't afford new shoes right now. But I will leave you with this. Give, even if your don't know what you're giving to, but take the time and get to know what you're giving to.
And if you're wondering why I drug at&t into all of this, see below.
Author's note: For you hardcore advocates out there, bravo. this was just an attempt to get people to think about why they do things. Wink
Blake Mycoskie might just be one of the most brilliant people I have ever read into. I did a presentation on him last semester so I know quite a bit about him and what Tom's Shoes is all about. After going on a trip to Argentina, he realized that most of the children didn't have shoes and many of them had gotten diseases on their feet. From that, he created Tom's Shoes. One Day Without Shoes is simply a way to feel how the children feel. Even if you go just for 1 hour without shoes, you will see what it's like for these children.
ReplyDeleteBeing your sister, I am well aware that you aren't going to be like everyone else and follow fads or what's popular, but Tom's Shoes are a great investment. By buying a pair of these shoes, you send a pair to a child who has never had a pair of shoes.