We can give no satisfaction

Boris Johnson (Image: Bloomberg)

What gives you satisfaction? The Rolling Stones couldn't get any, but I can think of a few I sense would make you a happier person. How does a secure job sound? A happy marriage and family life? How about something a little less long-term, and choosing to eat your favourite meal after a long and dreary day? All of this sounds good. Yet, what satisfies a lot of people, above most else, is attention.

Before I go ahead, I didn't want to sound cynical when writing 'attention' the way I did. We all require it in some capacity in certain stages of our lives. It's human nature. I'm seeking attention by writing on my blog, for instance. While being at the centre isn't everyone's cup of tea, we are so in our little universes. It's just that there is a growing number who have that desire to expand theirs by being the focus of, well, almost anything.

It's those who require more attention than others that will get my focus today. To those who will groan by the names I will mention, please don't worry. I won't give them that much satisfaction, unless completely necessary. You see, I find myself writing less and less on here. It isn't because I'm losing inspiration to write anything meaningful - though, that may be part of my reasoning. Over the past eight years, I've been writing about individuals who heavily feature in the public eye. That has always been the aim - they get involved in the news in one capacity or another, and I share my views on them, basing my analysis on research and solutions.

However, the news cycle has bored me somewhat over the past couple of years. My passion for news is still there, of course it is. Yet, I get the sense of us hearing the same people do and say the same thing. I get deja vu when I log on to Twitter. I can now see how Bill Murray's character in Hollywood film Groundhog Day felt.

The repeat offenders of those who require attention are from those who see themselves in different sides of the political spectrum. We have the likes of MP Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump on the so-called 'right' side, while political commentator Owen Jones and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on the so-called 'left', dominating our news feeds. I hear more from them than I do my own family on Facebook.

Women wearing the burka (Image: Quora)

I don't particularly mind whether these people I've just mentioned are in the news constantly. It is part of their individual agendas to be at the centre of the media bubble. In fact, even by mentioning their names on here gives them a 'media result'. Without such level of attention, they won't be seen as prominent figures in the British (or global) political scene they strive to be at. And I, no doubt, will be writing about these people in future posts. I may disagree with all of them in many areas, but they are seen as important enough to still commentate on.

What I won't do, however, is feel compelled enough to comment on everything they say and do. For many things they do, there is a sense of reliance that their actions will be talked about for a lot longer than it should. Take Boris Johnson for example. His comments on the burka have caused outrage. When his column on the matter was first published, I tried keeping silent because I felt, by speaking out, I'd give him the satisfaction of further publicity. Why would he have mentioned that women, who wear burkas, look like letterboxes otherwise? He knew exactly what he was saying. I'm sure he genuinely meant what he said and, to make his point, dramatise his words and use shock tactics. It clearly worked.

Were Johnson's comments offensive? Yes. Do I feel the reactions are completely over-the-top? Also, yes. Think about it. It was Mr Johnson's intention to say what he said. The best thing those who profoundly disagree with his sentiments could do is completely ignore him. The 'letterbox' jibe could have been left in the Daily Telegraph newspaper and thus being the only media result. But, no. Boris got what he wanted.

The problem here is that Boris Johnson has been painted as the next Prime Minister, or at least next leader of the Conservative Party. This has been due to years-and-years of build up by the media, stirred by the public, to ensure that he stays relevant. This could have been prevented, even after his time as Mayor of London ended. If all eyes weren't on speculating his next moves, I don't believe he'd be as high profile as he is today. The same applies to Donald Trump. He could write really offensive tweets, just like so-called 'rent-a-gob' Katie Hopkins, and be completely ignored. But many of us read them, retweeted and shared each one, practically gifting his Presidency target.

Jeremy Corbyn (Image: i Newspaper)

I say this as a warning: if someone profoundly disagrees with someone and want to express said views on social media, before anything else, debate it directly with that person - or group of people - in question. Boris Johnson didn't write his words on the burka with the intention of discussing it afterwards. He may do, but not in a form of a Question Time-style debate. So instead, therefore, it opened the door to people slamming him indirectly, and in front of followers who either will wholeheartedly resonate with their thoughts, or trollers. Thus, nothing is learned, apart from handing Johnson that 'star' status and an extra step to being bound for 10 Downing Street residency.

The solution is clear, don't give offensive comments the satisfaction of being spread like wildfire. This is exactly what is happening with the anti-Semitism and Islamophobia sentiments circling around like a bad smell. It applies exactly the same to Jeremy Corbyn. Though I don't believe he is against the Jewish faith himself, he previously, and exclusively, attended and welcomed individuals and groups which held those views, attracting condemnation from many places, and even fellow close colleagues have expressed their concerns. But only through this mass coverage does it encourage his loyal endorsers to believe that allowing such perspectives on the Jewish faith is acceptable, as well has boosting Corbyn's chances of being even more successful in the next general election. This cycle is the same with the case of Tommy Robinson whose recent imprisonment allowed such reactions that only enhances his status in the public eye.

Censorship is key to our personal freedoms. In a world where stress levels among all age groups are increasing to uncomfortable levels, there is a growing need to calm down, try a little ignorance and realise the consequences of what people are saying online which may actually strengthen the views they hold strongly against. It may sound twisted, but as this decade is to be seen as one where the little things blow out of proportion, taking tiny steps in making our little worlds better, will enable the whole globe to be a lot more peaceful than it is currently.