Reviews from

What Is Wrong With This Picture?

censure and social media - the naked truth

14 total reviews 
Comment from Writingfundimension
Exceptional
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'How many times must we soften the blow, cushion the fall?'

A great way to start off this thought-provoking essay, Dawn. What I find even more difficult than speaking what I believe is the truth, is knowing WHAT is even true anymore. In this time of mean-spirited posting (for instance saying someone is gay or dead or worse) the truth can be hard to discern.

I like the example of James Patterson. He's someone who uses his fame, but apparently also has paid a personal price for doing that. When you put your face out there, and especially if you appear cocky or confident, it seems you make yourself an even bigger target. I can only imagine what kind of nuts are attracted to Stephen King!

I appreciate you taking on this topic and presenting it from your own personal perspective -- that takes guts, kiddo.

:) Bev

 Comment Written 25-Feb-2016

Comment from Ulla
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Dawn, I couldn't agree with you more. You can't call a spade a spade anymore. That's one sad thing, the other is the dangerous world we have created for ourselves. On a selfish note, I feel so safe her in my little paradise far removed from all the nonsense that is going on. I know that it is selfish, but a relief. All the best. Ulla

 Comment Written 25-Feb-2016

Comment from Jumbo J
Exceptional
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Hi D-D,
I'd say more like 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest'?

...And oh yes, dear D-D... the truth shall always be the tool that sets you free, releases you from stacked up burdens of what goes around in one's belief system.

Me? I'm going to show respect within everything and everyone, whether that be in print, or just what seeps from my mouth... I am not scared of repercussions where the truth is involved in heinous-despicable acts... the truth is I would lay down my existence for a stranger if needed... and yes, I HAVE GONE INTO BATTLE MANY TIMES IN THAT QUEST!

Now I know, not everyone could or would go to extreme measures to ensure someone else's safety or dignity, and well, way of life... and that is alright, we all have our place in the scheme of things... it is only fear of the unknown that holds most of us back, or even the fear of being ineffective.

Okay, here it is... any religious organization, affiliates and or, followers that do not take action against their own group's indiscretions is a lie to their belief and thus a lie unto themselves... and it is so easy to point fingers... the good and faithful Muslim community who don't speak up in fear of retribution... the holy Catholics that have sat by and closed their eyes to the systematic raping of the most vulnerable, our children... and of course it's not just religion across the board... it is politics, our so-called leaders that infest any given opportunity with fear tactics... the individual that prey on our vulnerable, naive, elderly... for gain well, pretty much anyone they believe they can take advantage of... and yes, this has become an epidemic among today's society across the board.

I say, if people can't handle objectivity, that's their problem... I still believe we live in a world where free speech is a must... yeah, there'll be the same crap filtering through from the spiteful, the ego driven, those with agendas... but I believe people as a whole can sift through what's bullshit and what is truth... no matter, it all comes back to one thing... RESPECT TOO, AND IN ALL!

Love what you've had to say and how you wrote this most thought provoking commentary... yes, the truth shall set us all free, but that starts with the individual... if we're not truthful to and with ourselves, how can we be true to anyone or anything else?

With our thoughts we create,
the sensibility of objectivity,
James vx's.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2016
    Agreed, 100%. Our society has become so far removed from anything resembling a stable mind it's staggering. We stumble from one mess to another, spending the majority of our time on earth on auto-pilot, no longer in tune with nature's rhythms, our true desires, even our own bodies - instincts are all but dead in man anymore, which, if you really think about it, is appalling. We ARE part of the animal kingdom, and as such, with our incredible brainpower, IF we stayed centered, so much of what is wrong with the world wouldn't exist.

    Bottom line? Man is an arrogant beast. If we could only be true with ourselves it would solve so many problems!

    Thank you so much (again) James. You honour me, seriously, and you've made me so very happy.
Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)
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A good write, Dawn. What is the world coming to--I don't think it is coming up roses anywhere. We need to be able to deal with the truth and make hard decisions if we ever want our world to quite falling apart. Thought-provoking write, my friend~DEbbie

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2016

Comment from frogbook
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I shall read the poem but only after I say this is quite a wise and interesting write here. Well said in an honest and unoffending way but yet got your point across very clearly. Great write.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2016

Comment from I am Cat
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Hi Dawn,
As hard as it is to 'hear' views which might be distorted, or differ from our own, it is, yes, the right of others to state them. And, it is ours to not read, or listen.
I don't usually even watch the news, as my heart cannot take the hate and violence. That is my choice. Admittedly, I had to look up just who Charlie Hebdo is just now. A sad, sad time in our country. We've passed this way before... and, as long as humans roam the earth, it appears we are destined for same.
You, as always, write with clarity, passion, and a strong will. One which I always enjoy reading. I have read and reviewed the poem of which you speak. At the time I reviewed it, you didn't have a disclaimer in the author's notes, and no... I didn't need one either. lol
I took it for just what you meant, and wouldn't even think of changing it.

I have but two thoughts below... well, one suggestion, and one thought.
All in all, a very strong piece, well written and loaded with intelligent rhetoric and passion.
I enjoyed reading it
Cat

'...if a few nasty pictures and provocative words give[s] even one bit of relief, then I say that, too, is a truth, an honest release of unbearable frustration and grief.' (shouldn't it be, and give... not and gives?)

'Take up your pen and bleed some honesty into what you write, whatever it is, even if it's something I might not want to hear--one small step begins a long journey, and writers are the ones leading the way. It behooves every single one of us to treat the tools of our craft with great care, to treat words with the utmost respect, to honour them by using them to make the world a better place, a more honest place, but also to stand up to those who would force us into the mold they create.'
(beautifully said)



 Comment Written 24-Feb-2016

Comment from robina1978
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An other short story about reviews and critics. I don't see much wrong with the photo unless you mean three females under one blanket. I agree that what happened in Paris might push some away.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2016
    It's not the picture that's wrong, Ine - that's the draw is all, so that readers are intrigued enough to check out the essay and the REAL problem.

    Thanks very much. Good to see you!
Comment from Ricky1024
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the wonderful you written dawn and great objectives content and images as well as the same on a scale of 1-100 I give it a 100 and also when you talk about stepping on toes in Paterson and ourselves so being careful as we get our reviews and being banned I was actually being 4x life instru cuz I don't put up for crap people understand my work off swing it to him and if and if they still will agree with the lousy one or two or three stores on something that's dedicating beautiful but everybody else reflects on it and gets appreciated 5.6 star reviews I throw that in their face and tell them also that three young writers here starting out and should never do such a thing these people always review based on theme and content never your personal feelings on the product and if you don't like it and also are grammar issues Ricky 10:24

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2016
    As always, Ricky, I am very grateful for your support and generous review - thank you!
Comment from giraffmang
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Hi Dawn,

Whilst I agree with some of what you say there a few things that I will admit really grated me about this piece. Not the writing which was well written and presented.

'The Charlie Hebdo tragedy is at the farthest end of the scale, but it is indicative of what can happen when we tell the truth.' - did you actually see this publication before this incident? The hateful stuff they were printing. I think this is a very bad example to use when talking about the truth. Cartoons of religious figures having anal sex with each other, Jewish, Christian, Islam the whole lot. They may be an example of freedom of speech, but hardly a good example to be associated with truth.

The words we write have the strength to influence thinking - I think they can have the power, rather than do have. Have you met the narrow mindedness in the forums, of religious zealots, bigots? Words only have the power to do this for the open minded, or as some would have us believe, the weak-minded.

It strikes an odd juxtaposition holding up Hebdo as an example of truth considering exactly how they went about that and a quote from the Bible in the author's notes. A publication who has depicted Jesus buggering other religions and vise versa.

But again, that's just my opinion.
All the best
G

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2016
    You're right, Gareth, it IS a poor example - a horrible one, in fact. While I believe with all my heart in the right to speak because words are only words after all and NEVER justify taking human life, there is such a thing as provocative writing, and putting one's thumb in the eye of the attacking.
    But were these things printed before the first beheading? Do people not have to have SOME recourse when they are essentially powerless against such monsters? Imagine for just a moment that it was (God forbid) one of yours taken and tortured, then killed. Writing trash might be wrong, but we are only human, and if those writers were non-violent, law-abiding citizens, how frustrating, how agonizing to sit back and do nothing to the people carrying out such monstrosities.
    We are only human. The Charlie Hebdo people were certainly doing something wrong to sell their newspapers, but think of the families whose only release (as F-up as it might have been) was through freedom to say and depict whatever nasty thing they could think of to try and strike back (no matter how ineffectively).
    But you are right, and perhaps I should have expanded on that statement a little more, as I've done here, with this reply to your honest and forthright input. Rest assured, I respect your opinion and will be making some additions to this essay. Thank you!!!
    ~~~ADD on:
    I have made the revisions. I hope you'll find time to check out what more I've written. Thanks again.
Comment from chasennov
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

censure and social media - the naked truth. What Is Wrong With This Picture? ' Good on you, Dawn. It is about time for the truth to surface above all the debris. I say what I mean and I am not one for holding back. Politicians have gone mad, the media decides which man they prefer as Prime Minister here in this country, and the world rolls onward to self-destruction. They just don't know it yet! Keep on doing what you're doing. Very well put!

 Comment Written 23-Feb-2016