Vive La France!
There’s something in blogging called ‘newsjacking’ which is the process of taking a trending news story and writing a blog post around it in the hope that it will generate more traffic.
I have done it many times because it can be interesting weaving a self development topic into a current news story to make it more relatable.
The abomination in Paris is different however. I literally lay awake last night wondering if I should write a post or just carry on as though nothing had happened.
But something did happen.
Something brutal, vile and totally disgusting that is deeply troubling to me and hundreds of millions of other people who share similar values.
And not to acknowledge that just because I’m a Life Coach and terrorism hasn’t got anything to do with how I earn a living seems almost reprehensible. To me anyway.
I have heard the stat trotted out that more people die from car accidents in a about an hour than died in Paris in those terrible minutes.
So fucking what?
They are, for the most part, ACCIDENTS of modern living and not deliberately designed to cause terror and carnage.
As events started to unfold millions of people, myself included, rushed to Social Media to share news, empathy and support.
Some also inevitably headed there to make jokes, some to condemn people making jokes, some to gloat and some to condemn those gloating.
And yet others seemed oblivious to the carnage both literal and metaphorical and carried on their merry way using Twitter, Facebook et al to promote their services to a world that really didn’t give a shit.
Whereas the events themselves were shocking, the fact that they happened weren’t in the least bit shocking.
Trust me, European Governments have known for some time that this was almost an inevitability and have been planning for it.
And sadly I think it will continue to happen because even the true experts see no way of defeating the specter that is ISIS.
There isn’t really a point to this post other than to say this.
My thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to all the people touched by this atrocity – including the peace loving Muslims who will now no doubt suffer from the backlash.
Which by the way, is probably exactly what ISIS wants to help with their recruitment.
Let’s not do them that favor, eh?
Vive La France!
Hi Tim,
First time commenting here, although I read your posts regularly and deeply appreciate your approach and – oeuf corse (French joke for “of course”. Means “corsican egg”, well, French humour, never mind…) – your British humour.
I’m French (not a particularly patriotic one, by the way), living in Switzerland now, and I wanted to thank you for this post. None of my family members or friends have been directly affected by Friday’s tragedy, but last week-end was frankly horrible. My whole family still lives in France, my niece and nephew will grow up in an atmosphere of fear and suspicion and that’s what saddens me most.
Thank you for your support from overseas.
Let the terrorists not have our hate.
Peace to you
Good to have you comment, not good the circumstances that lead to it :(
Totally agree with this:
“Let the terrorists not have our hate
It is so sad to know that humans beings can be this cruel to each other. Every time you think it can’t get worse something else happens and you wonder can this ever be prevented and the more you think about it the less you are convinced.
I feel for the people of France and the families who are left to grieve.
My thoughts exactly.
Along with many people in the Western world, I have been following the aftershocks of the Paris attacks and joining in the emotions of grief and anger, amazed at the resilience of those interviewed from Paris, and a bit impatient with the kackhanded interviewers who mangled questions for those who spoke little English.
This morning, listening in the car to the local, national and international support being sent to Paris, I started to think about the benefits of having an intact society and strong global network in the wake of such a tragedy. From there it isn’t far to consider similar tragedies happening in other countries on a far more frequent basis–Kenya, Syria, the list is long–and how the people victimized by these acts of violence often do not have an intact society to fall back on, nor media attention and global support pouring in.
I don’t mean to diminish the horrorific events in Paris. I do want to remember that it is only one piece of the puzzle that we have created of our weary world.
You’re not diminishing the events Matti, it’s a complete mess and sadly, I don’t see any end to it.
Now I’ve seen everything ! A Brit’ writing :”Vive La France” ?! :)
Let’s have a good bottle of Bourgogne with some escargots, talk about philosophies and seduce the ladies close to our table whenever possible, my British brother.
Only if we can listen to Edith Piaf at the same time!
Glad you are safe and sound.