It was the MH370 tragedy that inspired me to write this blog entry.
When I was first introduced to the internet, it was still a dial-up. The one where you connect your phone to the computer and dial 1515 and listen to the screeching and screaming of whatever it was on the line. In that limited speed, all I could do was go on mirc or icq to have 5 minute conversations with my classmates about homework. Or leave a long ass love mail to long distance boyfriends.
Technology took the highway when internet evolved too rapidly into the homes of every human being. We now live in a time where Myspace and Friendster was just a blur memory.
But 15 year old girls will always be 15 year old girls. Only back then in my generation, we didn't have facebook to express how we crave for attention. All I had was a diary kept safe and hidden in my old bedroom, and 15 years later I thank God that was all i had. Even though teens are allowed to feel lost, insecure and troubled, they seem to carry on being 15 even as they apporach 30. The desperate need to make an impact to the world becomes a priority. They would do anything to become famous, even if it means hurting and offending others.
MH370 was a sad tragedy than affected the whole nation. It showed the whole world who Malaysians are. One entry after another revealed the true attitude and mindset we have. It was indeed a dark era.
While there were hundreds of self pro-claimed aviation "experts" sharing thoughts and theories about what might had happened, there were also hundreds of bloggers (who mostly know nothing) who shared ideas and speculations; some leading to obvious lies and fairy tales. There were many ways people tried to share a little bit of fame from the mystery by posting photos, hoaxes and mocking 'bomohs' and political leaders. Accusations were thrown everywhere, causing people to start yelling at each other. Rumours where spread, creating false hope. Conspiracy theories haunted the minds of even the educated. The nation divided into speculators and believers, supporters and haters.
Before internet, everyone kept ideas to themselves. They had time to think whether they should say or not what they intended to say and most would decide to just let things go. They read valid and published news and articles and analyze quietly in their own deep thoughts. No one was offended. Life was peaceful and people were smarter.
But I guess, this is the era we live in. And since there's no changing it, we have to accept it. My job as an educator is to remind my students to be careful on what they post on the internet. To think ahead the impact of what they put up. To read their facebook status again and again through all perspective before hitting that send button. To think wisely and maturely... And most important, to not take internet too seriously... I may sound like a grandma but Internet is usually a place where I read Wikipedia and laugh at 9gag (and not to forget my online shopping and workmails...) Venting is just internet on a day off which is usually followed by regret.
Happy blogging people :)
