In this period of drastic media events, I tend become convinced that the end of the world is near.
The last time this happened to me was 1997 . A number of high-profile people died that year; Biggie Smalls, Gianni Versace, Mother Teresa, Fela Kuti, Princess Diana, Chris Farley and Jeanne Calment –the oldest person in recorded history–. The Second Congo War started that year. A high-profile bank shootout occurred in North Hollywood. Comet Hale-Bopp inched near Earth. An impressionable media junkie such as myself took these events and more as a signs of the end or disastrous decline of the world.
As a reassurance to myself and others who are as eccentric as I am, I want to give these messages.
- A series of dramatic events is entirely coincidental and happen often.
- The media usually dramatizes events to guarantee ratings and readership. The world goes on whether you know about the compound crises or not.
- Rich and famous people are still people, they are as mortal and fragile as we are.
- Abstain from electronic news media for a while and reclaim reality. Read more books, step outside.