9 Comments

Julia, I applaud your perspective. It’s too true the loudest amongst us want overnight solutions to complex problems the world has been struggling a long time. Fixing the Middle East is one example. My very old and wise Lebanese friend said that it might 100 years just to get peace. It’s still possible to work towards peace. Blinken has been remarkable in his educated, perseveres approach. People who can’t bring peace in their own families are quick to criticize.

Expand full comment

Thanks Diane. I have reposted too many memes without considering- and am doing my best to do better myself. WE must all find patience.

Expand full comment

I do memes for those who don’t read.

Expand full comment

Thanks Diane. I want lots of things yesterday. I want to be able to stuff my pie hole with donuts, too. Every moment I get the chance to make a better and informed decision, and understand that in many cases, I may not see the results for years, if ever.

Expand full comment

Julia, you make a great point. Memes can be entertaining and, to some extent, insightful, but they are simplistic answers to complex questions. I love when you say, "We need vision, grit and a great deal of compassion for the process, and the process is at times glacial. It may not happen on our watch." Truth.

Expand full comment

We both know about glacial progress.

Expand full comment

I'm afraid I must respectfully disagree with you. First, I have no problem with Billy Baldwin expressing his opinion, whether I agree or disagree with it. It's his right. I have never read a meme thinking this is going to solve to world's problems. However, I have read many a meme that has made me pause and think. Some have provided a moment of inspiration. Ironically right after reading your post several minutes ago I saw this meme, a quote from Malala Yousafzai, "If people were silent, nothing would change."

Expand full comment

Suzie, I took the time to write a detailed response. Then I realized, after I reread my article several times over that I'm not sure you read it thoroughly, so I deleted the response. Where you went with your comment isn't at all the point I was making. I acknowledge your points, but they aren't relevant to what I wrote. I like and pass along memes regularly. Didn't state or imply that a meme isn't going to solve the world's problems. The Gurwinder quote is the key to understanding the point of the article.

Expand full comment

Sound bytes and Memes are unlikely to help solve conflicts or problems among people who can’t agree on what time of day it is. Why we cannot seem to learn the lessons of a painful history is beyond my comprehension. I have a few ideas, one of which is a need among a few to control the many. That along with greed, anger and prejudice go a long way to divide and destroy. Freedom is not guaranteed. You have to keep working to protect it

Expand full comment