Chocolate Cake
There is a huge disconnect between what I want to know and what I actually know.
I would love to talk and about History, Current Events, Poetry, Literature, Science, the Performing Arts, Politics, etc. I crave the ability to intelligently converse on a wide range of topics.
I find it frightening that I’m more interested in VH1, MTV, Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. It’s scary that my comic book collection is noticeably larger than any other collection of books I own. How come I can explain the dynamics of the relationships on “Big Brother”, “Bad Girls’ Club”, and “The Real World” but can’t for the life of me tell you what platforms the potential Presidential candidates are running on? Why can’t I remember anything important I ever learned in school, but can practically quote “Zoolander” word-for-word?
I am aware the stuff I genuinely find interesting and entertaining is useless. Sure, I’ll watch the 2-hour “I Love New York” special, but a 2-hour documentary on WWII weapons? I’ll pass. I’ve read the entire “Blade of the Immortal” series and yet have a hard time focusing on a simple news article.
My mind struggles to ignore the gossip, the glossy, the action-packed, the shiny, the new, the funny, the fast-paced, the animated… the easy.
I’ve accepted that my attention-span is shot to hell. I can’t even watch YouTube clips that are longer than 60 seconds unless they instantly grab me or make me laugh.
Is this really me… a Pop Culture receptacle that can’t concentrate?
I hate this.
I have a genuine thirst for knowledge. Really, I do. But how can I possibly learn anything when all my mind retains is the latest in Britney Spears news?
Tonight’s class afforded me time to think, and here are some vague solutions:
I need…
- …news that’s presented in short informative paragraphs — Just tell me what happened, who was involved and what’s being done about it. I don’t want or need a novel.
- ..literature titled, “All You Need to Know About (insert subject here)…”
- …lists of reputable information sources — What are some good websites to visit? What books consolidate the information so it’s easy to digest? What magazines keep the articles short and to the point?
I’m on a quest for knowledge that goes beyond quoting movies I like and knowing when Lindsay Lohan is checking out of rehab. I want to stretch, cultivate and exercise my mind in an array of subjects… not just the fluff.
I’ve looked into a few things recently… but what are some of your suggestions and ideas? Am I the only one with this problem?
*****
THING OF THE DAY:
Me to the Hubby (after seeing “Borat”): “So is Kazakhstan a real country?”
10 Responses for "Chocolate Cake"
I relate to your blog.
Derek Zoolander: What? Are you here to tell me what a bad eugoogoolizer I am?
Matilda: A what?
Derek Zoolander: A eugoogoolizer… you know one who speaks at funerals.
[Matilda looks at Derek confused]
Derek Zoolander: Or did you think I was too stupid to know what a eugoogooly was?
Derek Zoolander: At the Derek Zoolander Center For Children Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too, we teach you that there’s more to life than being really, really good looking.
LOL. We quote that all the time!
VH1 Reporter: Derek, are you worried about Hansel?
Derek: Uhh, not as much as I’m worried about Gretel
or
Hansel: I guess you can Dere-lick my balls cap-E-tan.
Derek: I can Dere-lick my own balls, thank you very much.
Hahaha… I really do love this movie.
LOL yes…I could leave more quotes…moisture is the essence of wetness etc…LOL “merMAN” ok but I will grudgingly stop.
I know exactly where you are coming from. I would rather watch all the “reality shows” on TV than the news. I’m a reality junkie. I do not discuss politics because it bores me to the point of putting me to sleep. I just write about things I know about and most of the times it’s just boring old housewife stories.
Sassy… like I said before, I enjoy the tone and honesty in which you write. It’s not boring in the least.
People are fascinating.
I really am going to try and find reading material that works for me. The Hubby has suggested a few things… we’ll see how it goes.
hahaha well Zoolander is full of quotable quotes
I’ve forgotten most of the things I learned in school too. Thank goodness for the internet.
Want a suggestion? Try Wikipedia. I sometimes spend hours on that site because the links take you everywhere. You might end up learning about more serious stuffs.
Ahh yes… wikipedia. I DO love that site. Thanks for the reminder!
I’d prefer some books as well though, because after a while my eyes begin to throb from staring at the computer screen for so long.
I should clarify. I lived in the Bruce Peninsula in the town of Wiarton for a time, which is home of Wiarton Willy, Canada’s answer to Punxsutawney Phil. Home of some very endearing (if a little backward) farming folk.
OMG! I totally relate to what you are saying! I too am a knowlege-hungry individual who really, really wants to care about more than what Lindsay Lohan got arrested for in the last 5 minutes! My suggestion: know your strengths and weaknesses. It’s okay to indulge in a bit of trashy trivia, but just like you wouldn’t eat twinkies every day (or would you?) make sure you pepper your appetite with good stuff.
BTW, I LOVE ZOOLANDER!!
Derek Zoolander: I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more to life than being really, really good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is.
Suh-weet! I can feel the Zoolander love!!!
Thanks for the tips!It really is hard to do. It’s so easy to just sit and watch TV or read about fluff.
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