by Ann Johnstone

Created on: May 06, 2010   Last Updated: May 07, 2010

Arguably the greatest disease in my country of Australia (if not in the world) today is apathy, closely followed by the tendency for non-involvement. We are bombarded daily with disturbing news, brought to us so vividly via our television screens, the Internet and the daily papers. It is no wonder that we tend to turn off. Our brains just cannot cope with the volume of tragedy, crime, bestiality, and just plain selfishness that is thrust upon us.

On one level most of us crave involvement with others. This is shown most dramatically by the percentage of our population that is involved in social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Here we discuss anything and everything, from what we have for breakfast to our favourite sports heroes and movie stars. Yet how many of us are comfortable with sharing those things that most burden and appall us? And how readily do we offer to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on when we see somebody in crisis?

Some time ago my youngest son, then sixteen, was travelling on a local train, studying for his exams. Suddenly about six teenage boys entered the carriage. For some reason they picked on Michael who had been quietly reading, minding his own business. Now Michael has often been called the ‘gentle giant.' He is very tall, but never intimidating and always ready to lend a helping hand with a smile on his face. For some reason, his quiet, non-aggressive demeanour annoyed these boys. They started to pick on him, pushing and taunting him. When he didn’t respond they went further. Michael ended up with his front teeth punched through his bottom lip, requiring suturing in a local hospital. Now this was in broad daylight with a carriage half-filled with commuters. Nobody came to his assistance but hid behind their newspapers and mobile phones. This is not an unusual event in Australia. Melbourne’s trains have had to increase security and post warnings to commuters.

So why are people no longer interested in stepping in to protect others? Certainly there is a risk in doing so. Knives have become commonplace ammunition with the younger generation, despite efforts to deal with this. There is a basic need for people to feel they can defend themselves. Sadly this backfires. The old adage “Those who live by the sword die by the sword” has never been truer. (Actually these were the words of Jesus to his disciples when they wanted to fight those who had come to arrest Him.) This does not demonstrate

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>