Ranting is out of control.
You know the ranting sort. They complain. They blame. They warn. They fancy themselves insightful bearers of today's worst news.
The sky is falling. If you haven't heard the news, you must be missing the diatribe. Lucky you.
If we took ranters seriously, we'd surely become neurotic and afraid. Daily lives as most know them would end. We'd be so filled with fury and scorn we'd be forced to isolate. Or, become ranters ourselves.
The youth (we raise) are worthless!
Government officials (we elect) are corrupt!
Corporations (we help build) are evil!
Our planet (we steadily pollute) is doomed!
In the good old days (when pretenses came first, happiness second) life was perfect!
Third world leaders, illegal immigrants, unions, health care, public education. Well. Don't they all just suck?
I am fascinated by the level of current ranting. Many seem awash in negativity and eager to get daily fixes from each other and media. Millions tune into more than 230 television stations nationwide to hear Glenn Beck knock the perceived problem du jour. He is an example of a new breed of professional ranters; famous, esteemed and highly paid. Heck, I know better ranters who'll do it for free.
Ranting isn't a special talent. It requires no unusual set of skills. I think it's safe to say anyone can do it. All that's required are an eye for the obvious and a penchant for the sound of one's own voice.
Greek philosopher Socrates lived around 400 B.C. He is often credited with having said:
"The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers."
More than 2,000 years later, looks like ranters' work description hasn't evolved much. Or their views about today's youth.
The real challenge, in my opinion, is keeping faith. The truth is for every bad example of just about anything, there are as many or more good examples. For every wrong are dozens of rights. For every failed plan are one hundred successes. For every person of evil intent, countless walk among us pure of heart. For every middle school girl who'd send naked pictures of herself to middle school boys, thousands wouldn't dream of such bad behavior.
Sinking into negativity and cynicism is easy. Complaining as a substitute for doing is commonplace. But, hand wringing serves no useful purpose. Doomsday prophesies, in spite of their numbers, have thus far proved false. Seeing the good and hanging one's hopes on the future takes more determination, more backbone. Believing is the real test.
If the knock at my door turns out to be Chicken Little again, I'm not home.