Working in D.C. and living inside the beltway I am constantly reminded of this distinction, which is more a state of mind then its geographic designation.
Inside the beltway it is easy to get caught up in the daily politics of the Capital to the point that you assume everyone is equally immersed and fixated, when they are not. They have jobs, family’s, friends, hobbies, meaningful distractions, important worries and are not consumed by the ever growing carousels of video thumbnails filled with shouting-heads passing for enlightening discourse.
Reading a lens comparison post yesterday reminded me of this distinticion. Sometimes we get so caught up in our gear we think mostly everyone in our hobby cares about lenses vs. lenses or camera x vs. cameras y and z. We forget that what they really care about is what we once really cared about, sharing great photos that tell interesting stories.
Not all aspects of living should be “versus.” I’m as guilty as the next when it comes to forgetting this. But I’m tired of listening to others’ fights. I’m tired of having to decide if anyone won. I’m tired of being harassed by angry tones and faux outrages. I’m tired of every on-camera personality trying to use their social feeds as a way to heightened their profiles and buttress their self-importance. I’m tired of contests that are not games. Mainly, I’m just tired of all the drive-by noise bludgeoning me for my attention when what I really crave are conversations, calm evaluations and interesting insights without agendas.
How about a pretty photo to remind us of Spring?
