An Irrepressible Cynic?

Over the years from a young age I have always had a keen interest in following news from around the world. As I grew up this interest only strengthened and became more focused. Thus as I describe in my twitter bio I became a follower of international politics & current affairs. I felt passionately about the injustices happening around the world.

The advent of the social networking, initially Orkut and also Hi5 (who remembers that one??), then later Facebook and then above all (for me) Twitter, set the groundwork to increase my interest (or should I say obsession) in current affairs. I followed news from varied sources, shared my opinions, interacted with many others of similar ilk, debated and argued with sensible and also hypocritical populace, all on issues which were never really directly connected to me. Of course these activities always went on a parallel course to my regular academic and now professional life. My friends mostly observed this interest of mine with a nonchalant bemusement. And I somehow managed to sustain my awareness though I never had the benefit of sharing this interest with many.

My attention to news has predominantly been oriented around Middle-east and South Asia and invariably when being a slactivist and commenting upon injustices in these regions it is inevitable that you acquire an anti-American tone.  Thus very recently in an online debate with a sensible person I have developed an “anti-American ethos” and have become too “cynical to take a step back and opine”. While I refuted these claims instantly it did prompt certain level of introspection in my mind. US military and political actions hardly provides any room for “pro-American” views for anyone with a sense of justice. Other than that Obviously being a malayali it is in our “ethos” to atleast be a tad cynical / skeptical about everything and I do not deny that in my nature. But beyond that world news for a reasonable amount of time is sufficient to make any optimist into a cynic.

Other than this I was also informed that I manage to induce further depression to depressed minds with depressing insights about depressing news/events. Anyone following world events will vouch to say that it invariably leaves you with a depressed feeling. Many a times I have wondered why I follow all these news. What purpose does it serve? Never have I been able to make a difference. Than why do I..?? Maybe...just maybe, there is a hidden optimist in me, clutching to a straw of hope that it will all eventually be of some use. All the reading, viewing, understanding, thinking, analyzing, introspecting will someday enable to make a tiny bit of difference. If nothing else this thought carries me through particularly depressing moments.