Rock The Junta

Rock the Junta by Scott Carrier made me think about what everyone really wants out of life. I mean you have this reporter who at first makes me think what the heck is he doing there, and then I though well wait, what would I be doing if I was there. It made me realize that the peculiarity of the reporters situation allows the reader to relate on a subconscious level or even internalize what is going on with the reporter.

The alien manner in which the reporter saw "shells" of people made me think of when I went to see the Dalai Lama. When I looked at the crowd I saw the spark in some eyes where his presence was truly appreciated. In others, I saw blackness- an empty shell of a person not even grasping the consequences of what was going on, what people would give to switch places with someone who was there for all the wrong reasons. I remember when he first came on stage to speak, someone behind me started laughing, proclaiming he sounded like a star wars character. It made me want to turn around and ask him if he knew what respect was, but then I realized that by no means would that have been peaceful.

I felt able to relate to the reporters position in the alien-like nature of the environment. I tired to put myself in the same situation but, I couldn't even see myself being in such a place. I call that an accomplishment in Carrier's respect because I had inadvertently found that the situation was so real I would not have even put myself there- allowing for me to see more of both myself and the standards of different areas that seem so alien to each and every varied nation.