The attacks in France got to me… in a way that they were carefully designed to.
As someone who works in marketing, it’s chilling to see Terrorists use the tools of the trade against us.
It puts a sickness in my stomach to see ISIS becoming media-savvy. And I can’t shake the feeling we’ve been played for chumps.
These attacks in Paris have churned up a lot of feelings in me, but they’re all compounded by the feeling that I’m being carefully manipulated. That these feelings – the horror, the grief, the outrage and the anger – are exactly the feelings they want me to be feeling.
In that sense, Paris was a very strategic choice. Almost everyone has positive associations about Paris. I’ve never been there, but I feel like I have. Ask anyone and Paris evokes feelings of leisure and pleasure, baguettes and romance, pretty couples kissing beneath a bridge.
When that vision is shattered with violence, we feel the violence of having that vision stolen from us.
And Paris is one of the capitals of the west. Any one who identifies as living in the west feels a sense of ownership over that city. In many ways it’s a short distance from Melbourne to Paris. These attacks feel close to home.
And there has been a shift in recent years to more ‘ordinary’ targets. It’s a trend across the world. The soccer stadium. The theatre.
Once it was the US embassy, the NATO base. Who ever hangs out there? But a sporting event? Everyone goes to one of those.
Watching the events unfold last weekend I was struck by footage of a young man leaving the theatre. He was my son’s age. Wore the same clothes. Had more than a passing resemblance.
My son’s an arty guy. He could have easily ended up at the Bataclan. And suddenly I wanted him close.
I felt a fear that I would never see him again.
I felt the fear that I was supposed to fear.
The bastards had got to me.
And there’s something so disgusting about that – that people would use other people’s bodies – innocent people’s bodies – to get to my mind, and to get to all of our minds.
And once they’ve got the keys to our mind, they use that access only to cultivate more fear and hate and a sense of lack.
These are the very same ideas that have kept humanity locked down in this mire of suffering and violence for eons.
And so it seemed to be a powerful commitment to perpetuate the ugliest aspects of humanity. Really? That’s the vision of the world you’re committed to?
And look, I don’t want to take sides. I know enough to know how much I don’t know. The violence of ISIS has its seed in the violence of Iraq, which was born out of the cold war, which came from the second world war, which goes back to the first world war… which probably goes back to a dispute over the patent rights on the first wheel.
Back and back it goes – further back than history books care to remember. Violence creates violence. These cycles of revenge and power have been playing out for centuries.
And I’m cynical enough to be sceptical about stories of stone-age militants somehow befuddling massively resourced military-industrial complexes. Who’s paying for al these guns and bombs and rockets?
And think of the carnage Osama bin Laden was supposed to have orchestrated, hooked up to a dialysis machine in a cave somewhere in Afghanistan.
I’m incapable of organising a dinner reservation if I don’t have a wi-fi signal.
And then there’s a media industry that thrives in times like these, and is happy to unquestioningly spew up whatever they’re fed, so long as it sells.
Like the story of the Syrian passport found near one of the Terrorist’s bodies… Really? Who takes their passport on a suicide mission? And then drops it?
I know there’s a lot of money to be made in war. A lot of votes to be won in flaming racial tensions.
Who knows who’s working behind the scenes? I certainly don’t. But I would be very, very surprised if the truth is what I’m reading in the weekend papers.
But despite my ignorance, I still feel a sadness, and I grieve for the innocent lives that have been lost – that have been wasted.
And it feels like a waste to me, because it just doesn’t have to be this way. I believe we live in an abundant world. I see it with my own eyes. We’re capable of incredible things. There’s more than enough food, water and land to keep the whole world safe and happy.
The only thing lacking is will.
We still haven’t found a way to cast of the legacies of power and greed and I-want-more-than-you.
And it’s just sad. That we can live in an age where material abundance for everybody is within our grasp, but we just can’t make it happen.
That’s sad isn’t it?
But at the same time, it also reinforces my desire savour every last drop of life, while I have it. To suck the sweet juice out of life. It calls me back into alignment with my priorities and values.
Less work more lifestyle.
Less stress more happiness.
Less worry more fun
Less control, more freedom.
Less fear, more celebration of the things I have. More gratitude for my friends and family, the freedoms I enjoy, this beautiful country.
Whenever stuff like this goes down, it shifts my perspective… in a positive way. Any problems I have just fade away, and I come back to what really matters.
And so for me, Terrorism is kind of counter-productive. It strengthens my resolve to savour life and celebrate the things that count.
And the more threatened and precious life and freedom become, the more I value them and have energy to defend them.
That’s not their intention right?
But maybe my response isn’t typical. I work hard on having a positive mindset, so I’m kind of geared to taking the energy of events like this and using it to reinforce my values.
Perhaps if you were scared and insecure in your place in the world, then these events would drive you further into fear. That would be a shame.
So that’s what I’m celebrating in today’s blog. Remember abundance, come back to gratitude, celebrate and enjoy life. Let the light drive out the dark.
If we’re strong in these things, then the manipulators of fear can’t touch us.
How do you understand what’s happening in France and the rest of the world? How does it make you feel?
pale_blue_dot says
Here’s a great article that helps understand the history of where ISIS emerged from; http://waitbutwhy.com/2014/09/muhammad-isis-iraqs-full-story.html
pale_blue_dot says
Another excellent article on how ISIS gets its funding. Think “corporation-style” operations and you are probably getting closer to the truth; http://www.businessinsider.com.au/tafrikinomics-how-isis-funds-its-caliphate-2015-3 For another group of perspectives on the funding, see Quora response; https://www.quora.com/How-is-ISIS-funded-and-how-do-they-operate
Dan Walker says
But how is it that I watched on a video in 2009…freely available on the internet…that all this was going to unfold the way it has, which led me to further research what is supposedly called “conspiracy” theories to awaken myself further to the truth. People need to wake up to the real world and whats going on, who runs it, how and why they are doing what they are doing. Please don’t take this the wrong way but…isn’t it interesting that the major talks at the G20 summit was going to be imposing heavy sanctions and taxes on major oil producing/using countries and companies. Nek Minute…TERRORISM is the main talk. I feel for the 130 that lost their lives but its nothing to the people who have just turned this around from paying out billions in taxes and losing control. Why do you think Russia is doing what it sees necessary to stop this UN agenda of a one world government that will have total military control round the world at its disposal to stop any country that is condoning terrorism. Or in there eyes…any country that gets in their way to stop their agenda of corporations dominating the world. Its time to wake up….here is a great start….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTbIu8Zeqp0
Ken says
Well said Dan. Also I hope France and Russia lead the way to destroying ISIS.
Dan Walker says
France are part of the 5 minute fight back to keep everyone happy, I have just been reading that China are looking to emerge with Russia and flex their muscle/military as the Eastern frontier to help destroy Isis. France is part of the 20 countries listed with funding ISIS, there were 4 in the UN which is what Putin revealed at the summit. Stop the funding…you stop the morons.
http://anonhq.com/putin-pounds-jrucks-in-syria/
David says
Just like how a passport just ‘happened’ to survive the inferno of the twin towers eh?
Joanne says
Thanks Jon, I liked your perspective, and agree that happiness and love will send them away not fear and greed!!!
Graham W says
Thankyou Jon. You’ve nailed it yet again! G
Jenny Kennedy says
Hi Jon, what a great read – I agree that we’re being manipulated by very media savvy people, and I’m talking about the media as well as ISIS. I think you would probably have also enjoyed Waleed Aly’s clip from The Project.
I also agree with you about the Syrian passport – when it was found, I thought “what the …?”, it just didn’t seem right.
So, all in all, I think we need to counter the ISIS (and others) fear-mongering with hope and positive thinking and by making a difference.
Good on you, Jon! 🙂
Cheers
Jenny K
ron says
hi jon..i think you have 110% support here. now you could warn your mate donald trump that he is in the crosswires of some powerful people in u.s.a., also info just received suggests that thanksgiving day in u.s.a. is a day that may remembered as the day the u.s. finally got a taste of ‘boots on the ground’ attacks by isis. it could be a bloodbath. many isis dickheads have already been taken(rounded up)by u.s. police etc. these past weeks trying to enter the usa. four known ones are still on the loose (pics supplied) and they are armed to the teeth having busted an army munitions depot and stolen heaps of goodies. there must be many more undetected running around there. yet the media remain silent..as they were silent on 12 th november about an imminent attack on paris. why? (oh..the jews were alerted by special order..oh nice!!) is this world being run by psychopaths? many people i know are also questioning the western press and their almost complicent adherence to total b.s. reporting. maybe this tool called the ‘internet’ is the “irresistable force that moves the immovable object”. : from your replies it seems that some people here are getting more info to the truth than those in control would like.
Hahn says
If you really want No B S visit http://www.veteranstoday.com
Alan Maurice says
I could not have expressed my feelings any different John. Thanks
Michael Hatton says
one of your best
(haven’t posted before)
Rick Eason says
Jon, you’ve got the right idea – let’s draw good out of this barbarism! Over 90% of all the world’s immigrants and refugees want to live in one of five countries – Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the US. All five inherited English common law and became beacons of compassionate justice, freedom and prosperity. That’s what human hearts crave. The great 20th century jurist, Lord Denning, showed that the common law justice was built on Jesus’ love-based values, which forged the foundation for widespread freedom and prosperity, but forced no-one to become a Christian. So let’s walk in the steps of our forebears, following Jesus’ command to “overcome evil with good.”