Posted: 1/7/2008 1:41:03 PM EDT
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*** Warning *** Long-winded diatribe of self-discovery and awareness... Lately I've come to realize just how manipulated we really are in this society. We scoff at the third-world goat herder and his devotion to his old world religion that shall go un-named. But do we REALLY stop and TRY to think critically as to what we've been told and sold throughout our lives? Yeah, most of us here have a fundamental distrust of the national media. And for good reason! But for many, that revolves mostly around the liberal views espoused on the "news" and Hollywood creations. Have we stopped and thought about the things we do and think almost automatically without checking to make sure that they're based on what is really REAL? Did you really NEED that fancy new car before the ads convinced you that you did? Did you really even WANT it before then? I've been pretty practical when it comes to such expensive purchases and have not been swayed by some ad or subconcious voice telling me that I should go into deep debt to get one. But I cannot say that I've been so aware of the manipulation when it comes to somewhat less expensive stuff. I just felt that I "needed" something and bought it. And did I really ask myself if I in fact, REALLY needed it? Nope. I was dazzled by whatever bling-factor it was that drew me to it. There are plenty of things that I believe that I really DO need. But few of them are advertised on TV and few of them are things you'd show-off to your neighbor or in a pic link on the internet. And even if I don't NEED something, it's no crime to buy it or even want it. But I feel like my eyes have been opened lately to at least ask myself if I even know WHY I'm lusting after the latest peice of gear before I trade some of my precious time (money) to aquire it. Some people are frugal and practical and have no issues with this. But many aren't. This site is as bad as any with people showing their newest toy and others drooling over it, with those that cannot afford it lamenting that fact. I'm just thinking out-loud in asking the question "do I really need this or even know why I really want it?". I've been as quick as any here to label many people outside this and a few other internet communities as "sheep" or "sheeple". But the fact is, I'm just as guilty at times of being manipulated into a false sense of what's real and what's imagined. This not only applies to what I see on a TV ad or the news, but also to everything else in life. In fact, I'd say that modern life is a battleground of human beings (not to mention spirits for those who acknowledge the spiritual) who are vying for your time, attention, and your thoughts. It's always been this way throughout history. You've always had to sift through what you saw and heard for "the truth". But in this age of technology and instant communication across the miles, it seems worse than ever. For any who doubts this, just ponder the notion of "common sense". It doesn't seem all that common any more. Being "connected" is sold as a modern day blessing. But I'm not so sure anymore...  
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