What is wrong with this picture

**adrianh** · 26-Aug-10, 07:57 AM

No they're not welcome to keep it. Not in my book.

And how exactly do you plan to stop them?

**Dave A** · 26-Aug-10, 07:25 PM

@ Andy

Maybe I'm stupid, but I'm far from giving up. We've been through bad patches before and we did more than survive - at times we've been the toast of the world.

It takes times like these for us to be knocked to our senses.

**AndyD** · 26-Aug-10, 11:26 PM

In general, it's saddening to read such deep negativity and apathy. It not only means that person has no motivation to improve the country, it also encourages it in others to become the same who might otherwise be positive and motivated and a part of a solution.

I've lived here about 20 years and I used to detest the media image both domestic and overseas which was constantly negative. It was unwarranted that you could sense the sheer delight in the tone of the reporteding when there was something negative written about South Africa. This is still true even to this day for the most part. I've always gone out of my way to give people positive and balanced information and views about this country and I used to think it was their loss that they were ignorant of it's many good points and that it was held in such negative esteem. I find it even sadder when it comes from within though because that is very much our loss not theirs. For every bad thing that happens and every challenge this country faces I can easily think of five reasons that I was right to make it my home. If I was making the same choice about locating here today which I made 20 years ago I would still make the same decision.

I've lived in many places including Europe, the US, Central America and North Africa for extended periods of time and for many people everywhere the grass is always greener elsewhere. I've learned that for the most part people who are unhappy in one place will be unhappy in another for the same reasons within themselves. It's the easiest thing in the world to justify your unhappiness as being the result of any number of external factors over which you have no control such as immigrants, high crime, corruption, poor economy, strikes, and incompetent government and so on but you can't solve your problems by relocating if the root cause of your unhappiness in within yourself.

This isn't aimed at anyone particular, please don't take this as being personal. it's just my humble opinion which has been formed by my own experiences.

**Dave S** · 27-Aug-10, 06:45 AM

Well spoken Andy

I too was very negative at a stage and to this day I don't read newspapers or watch the news on TV, it seems that there is only bad stuff that gets reported.

South Africa has a lot to be happy about, yes we have a criminal, corrupt gov. It may seem that there are repeated strikes, and an unexceptably high crime rate, but speak to people that have visited RSA from abroad and you'll find that we are revered as one of the friendliest nations in the world. That says something about RSA's people! The criminals and strikers are still in the minority.

In my younger years I took a 3-month "thumb tour" of RSA and I learned so much about our country and I understand the turmoils we face, but I have a deep love for this country and I will not, repeat not, let it be taken from me by negativity and crime.

Just my 2c worth...

**adrianh** · 27-Aug-10, 09:44 AM

In general, it's saddening to read such deep negativity and apathy. It not only means that person has no motivation to improve the country, it also encourages it in others to become the same who might otherwise be positive and motivated and a part of a solution.

I've been told many times to pick my battles and this is one of those times. I am not getting into this conversation because it will make me very angry.

Knock yourself out with your positive thinking and improving the country.

**tec0** · 27-Aug-10, 05:16 PM

It is kind of difficult to stay positive at this point in time. I can say that yes South Africa is a dream come true, but then I will be part of something that is simply not true. I agree with adrianh on this one... to argue about this is really just aggravating and it almost pointless.

**adrianh** · 27-Aug-10, 06:08 PM

AndyD

Your posting has been rolling around in my head the entire day. I've thought about it a lot and, being rather gobsmacked, I can only say the following:

JaWellNoFine

**AndyD** · 27-Aug-10, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by adrianh

I've been told many times to pick my battles and this is one of those times. I am not getting into this conversation because it will make me very angry.

Knock yourself out with your positive thinking and improving the country.

I'm hoping your anger isn't caused by what I said, it's just the way I feel. I wasn't spoiling for an argument or fight, it would be pointless. Arguing or debating might change opinions but it won't change anybody's feelings or emotions. I'm happy to differ with you on this one.

Originally Posted by tec0

It is kind of difficult to stay positive at this point in time. I can say that yes South Africa is a dream come true, but then I will be part of something that is simply not true. I agree with adrianh on this one... to argue about this is really just aggravating and it almost pointless.

I don't try to stay positive as such. I'm not one of those people who lives in a state of denial or thinks everything that happens is a part of some larger pre-ordained scheme in the universe. I rather work at being proactive or reactive against problems I see.....anything but apathetic and defeatist. As long as I can see results for my efforts and I'm happy I'm not part of the problems then being positive follows on its own. I do agree that arguing about emotions is a pointless exercise.

Originally Posted by adrianh

AndyD

Your posting has been rolling around in my head the entire day.

That's a compliment indeed. Thanks.

**adrianh** · 27-Aug-10, 06:55 PM

Don't take it as a compliment, its not. The reason that it has been going around in my head is because I've been reading a number of books including Predictably Irrational and Errornomics in search of the numerous ways in which human thinking is flawed.

**Dave A** · 28-Aug-10, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by adrianh

including Predictably Irrational and Errornomics in search of the numerous ways in which human thinking is flawed.

One of which is thinking of a country as "home"? Certainly that's one I've wondered about at times.

Thing is, even if I moved elsewhere as some have suggested - to places that match my paradigm of the way the world should be - South Africa is still going to be "home" to me, and I'm still going to be a foreigner in that new "home."

So which is better - to try my best to make home a better place, or move to another place and be an outsider?