I started this blog only a short while ago — November 2018 — in answer to requests from friends to put my “other” photography on the Web. “Other” photography would be defined as images that go beyond the self-imposed limits of what I put on my formal website. I also intended this blog to be a way of making all my photography more widely known. That was my original purpose and that remains my purpose.
When I wrote yesterday’s post, it an exception to the rule. It was my way of pushing back against the horrible manifest insanity that has resulted in the violent deaths of fifty people (as of this writing) and many injured in Christchurch, New Zealand. I couldn’t stand it. I had to do something. I felt that my words might serve as a a tiny antidote to the racial, religious, and cultural hatred that had now infested New Zealand, of all places. I felt that a tiny antidote was better than nothing at all. I thought that it would go to my friends, relatives, and followers and that would be it.
That did not turn out to be the case. To my surprise, my post went all over the world. It was re-blogged and linked several times. I couldn’t believe my eyes as my blog stats shot up. And the post was met with 100% positive response, which proved my central point: the vast majority of people in this world are good and decent and have a desire to be positive, even in the worst of circumstances. And everyone who responded expressed a desire to be positive, in spite of it all.
The terrorists and criminals are in the minority. Really a very small minority. The media — be it mainstream, alternative, or social — works hard to make this minority seem larger to satisfy its bloodlust. But the good, decent people who are just trying to get along in life are still the vast majority.
We’re the good guys. We outnumber the bad guys. True, the whole WordPress community — if you will — is still a tiny fraction of the entire world, and the people who responded to my post are the tiniest fraction of that. But still, where there are some good people, there are more.
So here’s my idea:
There are terrorists in the world. They are insane. They want the worst for people and for the world. They are a minority.
There are good, decent, helpful people in the world. We want the best for people and the world. That’s us. We are sane. We’re the majority.
The bad ones are terrorists. They practice terrorism. They try to make things worse.
We are betterists. We practice betterism. We make things better. We don’t “try.” We just do it.
So let’s do it.
How? Help people. Support organizations that work to make the world a better place. Be kind in your dealings with others. Smile. Make others smile. Clean up your community. Help those in need to be able to stand up and help themselves. When someone says as a broad unsupported generality, “It’s all bad,” ask them, “Who says?” And shun the person who says so. Use your talents to make the world a better place…
And while you’re at it, make yourself better: Continuing education. Self betterment. Learn a language. Hone your art and writing skills. Improve your diet. Work on your physical fitness…
Let’s do it and have a great time while we’re at it.
If you agree, spread it around any way you can. Blog. Social media. Word-of-mouth. By example. Any way you can. Just don’t make it a secret.
My Best Wishes to All.
Michael
PS: The photo is of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. It was taken from Peter’s Lookout on the western shore of Lake Pukaki on the Southern Island of New Zealand, in June 2018. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. New Zealanders are — hands down in my experience — the nicest, smartest, most helpful, hard-working, fun-loving people I’ve met anywhere. May they continue to be so.
(Nikon D850; Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 G2. RAW processing in DxO Pro; final editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
z
AMAGA Photography Blog 