My girlfriend and I follow this coo Reddit page: Expectation vs Reality It comes to mind when bringing up this subject of reality vs: what we see in the news, marketing, tv, and movies. I hope we can all agree that we all do this. May it be as minute as adding a filter upon an instagram post or as extreme as professional photoshop. (Have you seen the Dove, Evolution campaign that exposes this? Link: here ). Furthermore the innocent act of making something out to be less or more depending our stance and desired outcome might not be as harmless as we want to believe.
It’s always tempting to pardon ourselves as we explain the situation to another or simply sugar coat your case and side, but from personal experience its always best to come clean and own up to the actions I take. For the sole reason that it feels better to release the past and get it off my chest. Making space for a peaceful mind, good sleep, and clean conscious. It’s not always the easy choice, for its usually makes things harder, and with only a slim chance of a better tomorrow.
So why come clean and spill your guts? My view is that you can’t fool yourself, and when you are trying to fool yourself by doing or saying something that is internally conflicting; we carry that very thing within us. Over time a simple dishonest action can escalate as we get away with it; we justify it more, and on and on the game goes on. This can continue until we change our ways or take it too far. The size of the mess is up to you, and to me, it’s never too late to do the right thing (respectfully). For if you continue to punish yourself from your past; why ever change if you’ll be punished for your sins, sort of speak. Sounds like a broken system to me. Forgiveness comes in shades and colors, but guilt and shame, that shit is pure ugly and is NEVER the answer.
Coming to the meat of the conversation is media and its ability to push an agenda. We all know the power of media and how it can be used to portray a side by leveraging emotions. Just look at propaganda! Now here’s the question: is it okay to spin something if its for good, and should you always be 100% transparent and truthful. Lets bring up the topic of Michael Moore, and his documentaries. He got busted for manipulating footage of two separate NRA meetings where, Charles Heston was giving speeches. Moore, strung the footage together for his advantage… This sort of editing is made to create a better case for Moores side, by making the “bad guys” look bad. You may say it’s for a good cause, but lying, cheating, and misleading people is what Moores films are about. He calls out corporations, businesses and politicians, but now he’s caught in that very game that he is exposing. There are more cases where Moore does sly tricks with interviews, footage and scenes. He more or less sets situations up to provide leverage on his side… For example the bank and gun scene, where he set up ahead of time (not show in film) to pick up a gun at a bank. Not saying that there isn’t a problem about being able to buy a gun at a bank, but pointing out that there was work done behind the senes for Moores advantage.
I personally support the overall mission of Moores work, and the awareness he spreads. For his work has launched other voices into the publics view. For example, Fahrenheit 11/9: where he gives people of all backgrounds a chance to speak to the masses. (He has ‘normal’ people share their perspective and opinion in most of his movies).
On the subject of fibbing and spinning things for your favor. I believe its up to you, for life is situational. The two guidelines that I follow are: One, if deep down I feel good about my actions and words, then that works for me. And two: if no one is getting hurt or affected in a negative way then that works too. Using the NRA speech from Moores film and my guidelines; I would say that doesn’t work, for it negatively affects Charles Heston by manipulating footage portraying something different than what actually happened.
Life is not black and white, and never that easy. But keep in mind that you’re only human, and you’re bound to make some errors. By owning your mishaps and doing your best to do right: is what makes Real Heroes. Till next time, be easy on your self and take life one step at a time. Peace, Yo!
