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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..to be disappointed in peoples complete indifference

62 replies

firstforthought · 02/02/2011 21:26

to current affairs.
I take particular interest in Egypt as dh is Egyptian. I know that it was any other country I wouldn't be as into it but I would still take an interest and ask after any friends families that i know of in the region.
I have to say I have only one friend on fb who has asked after dhs family and none by phone, even though I give regular updates on the situation.
Even the Egypt thread on the "in the news" section only really took off today... i know this country is very good when asked for international charity/aid and such so aibu to be disappointed in peoples indifference?

OP posts:
BerylStreep · 02/02/2011 21:49

MmeLindt - please forgive my lack of knowledge, but can you explain, in a nut-shell, what the implications are for the middle East as a result of this?

TBH, until this hit the headlines this week, I had no idea what the regime was within Egypt (actually, I probably still don't know what the issues are). Is this connected to the Tunisia issue?

Sirzy · 02/02/2011 21:50

I can see why you feel dissapointed in your friends but that doesn't mean people are indifferent or don't care. as PP said, if your giving updates then they may not feel the need to ask - although i would still feel the need to have an "I hope all is ok, thinking of you" type post.

I have been following the news about Egypt, and the latest of the storms in Australia. To me I have paid more attention to the storms simply because I have friends who have just come back from visiting family there so it is something closer to me if that makes sense.

tomhardyismydh · 02/02/2011 21:51

I was unaware of how it has developed taoday, tbh. I have kept upto date for the most part, but today I have been studying and no access to media, collected dd from school and was out untill 9pm with activities etc.home, bath, bed, and just sat down now. no tv or radio on or paper so far. People do have busy lives.

you say you are providing FB updates so you are keeping people informed so no real need for anyome to call and ask.

I also have no idea how the storms in Au have developed.

Original poster
firstforthought · 02/02/2011 21:53

if hb does not step down life for Egyptians could be worse than it was before. the corruption and games are understated.these are historical moments. life will never be the same again no matter what happens.

OP posts:
MmeLindt · 02/02/2011 21:55

Beryl
I am not an expert, by any means, but generally the implication is that if the Mubarak regime falls then it could set off a domino effect across the Middle East, as other suppressed people rebel against their dictator-lead regimes. In a similar way to the fall of Communism in the former Eastern Europe.

Tunisia's revolution started it off, and it could spread across the Arab world.

Original poster
firstforthought · 02/02/2011 21:55

i do know of the floods but not details. anyone care to update me pls?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 02/02/2011 21:57

Your last post proves a good point really, that people will have more of an interest in things that effect them or people they love. Thats not a bad things, just human nature. I am sure your not indifferent to the floods simply busy with other things.

(I hope that makes sense, and it certainly isn't meant as a dig!)

Sirzy · 02/02/2011 21:59

update on the storm

Original poster
firstforthought · 02/02/2011 22:02

sirzy, not taken as dig, np. that was my point. I know my interest would be more than others but for eg. if anything happened in china and friend had family there i know i would ask, iyswim.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 02/02/2011 22:04

Completely agree.

I think part of the problem here is that (unless I have missed something) not a lot is known by people about the history of what is happening and most media reports are just of what is happening now making it all quite difficult to understand.

tomhardyismydh · 02/02/2011 22:07

My understanding is, the protesters against the presedent are Domocratic supporters, ie the president was not ellected through a democratic vote. I have no idea about history or what corruption is involved. They are seeking a change.

MmeLindt · 02/02/2011 22:11

Tomhardy
Yes, that is correct. Mubarak has been in power for 30 years, without fair democratic elections. Which is not uncommon in this part of the world.

MissQue · 02/02/2011 22:13

I have been following the progress of the protests and hope that justice prevails and whatever is best for Egypt happens. I can't say I understand why Mubarak has suddenly become such a controversial character after 30 years, but I suspect nothing will change until a proper election is held and the Egyptian people can have their say through their votes.

I find the fact that the ruling party shut down the internet absolutely appalling and against the democratic rights of the population.

I don't know any Egyptian people personally, but if I did, I would certainly be asking for updates on how their families are, as I have done with friends who have family in other countries where there has been political unrest and natural disasters. That's not to say I don't care what is happening, but I simply don't have any personal connection to Egypt.

Original poster
firstforthought · 02/02/2011 22:16

Mubarak was Vice President for Sadat, who was assassinated. Every 6 years there are "elections". on the voting slip there is only one name! In 2005 there was one serious contender, Ayman Nour, who ended up in prison right after elections allegedly for forgery!

OP posts:
MissQue · 02/02/2011 22:16

Sorry, I cross posted, I see some of you have explained a little more deeply, thank you, I now understand more about the situation.

Original poster
firstforthought · 02/02/2011 22:19

MissQue, you said if you did know anyone you would ask. That is my point exactly. Must be just the people I know.

OP posts:
Aims80 · 02/02/2011 22:24

it's all over the news, and Twitter is full of updates, some quite horrifying (the ones coming direct from Egypt). plenty of people care.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 02/02/2011 22:32

I'm not sure if it is indifference, as others have said - there's other stuff going on all over teh world right now (not just the storm and protests).

I'll be honest - I didn't realise how bad the Egypt situation had got until yesterday after I logged onto the BBC news website to find out about Yasi - as I have FB friends who live in Ozzie.

I have other global situations (some of which hit the headlines when they erupted and then were "forgotten" about, others that never make the news at all in any major way) come into my inbox in updates from various news/humanitarian websites.

Perhaps these people saw your updates and felt they had information from that? Perhaps it didn't occur to them about your DH's family because of some many other issues on going in the world.

I'll be honest - if I were to sit down and try and ask after family of friends/close acequaintanes who are in places where there is shit happening right now I think I'd lose track.

I hope they don't think I'm being indifferent for not asking - but my brain can only cope with a small number at once.

LadyOfTheManor · 02/02/2011 22:34

My cousin and aunty etc are from Egypt. I didn't get a response on texts so I emailed before the news broke they had cut off the internet and SMS signal.

I heard from them all today and they're all fine, thankfully.

I don't think it's that people "don't care" there's just a lot going on in the world and some people can't see past the end of the day let alone worrying about other countries and their political stance...

meadowlarks · 02/02/2011 23:17

I'm just waiting to see what happens, that's all. I'm interested, but from a distance. It doesn't mean I don't care.

cantspel · 02/02/2011 23:33

I love egypt and go every year. We had already decided to give it a miss this year but the way things are looking it might be a few years before we get to go again.

It doesn't look good at all and even if Mubarak stands down tomorrow as there is no clear leader to take his place Egypt will be in for a period of political instability. For all his faults Mubarak has kept the peace in the region for 30 years. i only hope any new government formed can do the same.

Goodynuff · 03/02/2011 07:22

I'm in Canada, and here it is the leading story, along with Tunisia, Yemen, and now maybe Jordan. I don't personally know anyone with a connection, but the topic has been discussed with family and friends. I have made sure that the kids see what is going on (they are 11 and 13, so not really kids per se) and I have tried my best to explain the situation. I think this will be the stuff they learn in history down the road, the same as when we learned about the wall comming down, or the break up of the USSR.
I think maybe people wont comment if they are not familiar with the situation, or maybe it is the fact that they don't want to put their foot in it, and say something unsensitive? OP, I hope the family and friends you have there are safe, and get a chance to participate in free elections Smile

Morloth · 03/02/2011 07:42

It just isn't humanly possible to care deeply about everything that is happening in the world. I know some fairly heavy shit is going down in Egypt, but to be honest I am pretty focussed on Queensland at the moment.

It isn't that I don't care about Egypt and its implications but Queensland is a lot more relevant to me.

lesley33 · 03/02/2011 08:45

Well people I know have talked about it and about how awful the situation is. However, I admit the conversations don't tend to be long as none of us know that much about Egypt's leadership.

TheCoalitionNeedsYou · 03/02/2011 08:54

What are you expecting people to say?

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