Need for drama! writes Shweta Bachchan Nanda

2016 is more than half-way through!!! Hoorah! It’s been a bit of a bummer to be quite honest; everything that could go wrong almost has or stopped short of it. But, let’s face it people, you’re loving every single soul sucking minute of it. Why? Well, it’s because we all have developed serious NFD (need for drama…duh) a single minute that goes by minus, earth shattering gossip, breaking news or on a more intimate level perceived personal trauma is unpalatable to us. We are drama junkies, living half lives on social media, where we grandstand in a way only cowards do, anonymity gives us wings and if we are not trolling someone or being trolled by someone, the day just isn’t a productive one. Our collective consciousness is a giant train wreck, no one wishes anyone well anymore and the worst bit is its played out online for all of us to feed off and opine about. 

People are getting their news, most of it wrong and misconstrued to feed our NFD, from vacuous, faulty and badly reported websites and their ancillary Twitter feeds, and swear by the veracity of their “information” by quoting the twaddle pedaled by these perpetrators of hate. Browse the comments section on any piece posted online, it is shocking! No one is spared and nothing is sacred. I once bravely scrolled down one such “comments” section and was appalled at the level people stoop to. For me, it is always personal, with so many members of my family and friends being public figures it is never easy to read vicious remarks made or opinions formed on by and large unsubstantiated unverified non information. I rant and rage to myself, having no choice but to calm down because none of this matters eventually, the hate doesn’t even register, the achievers they’re too busy to read your slander and hate, they just don’t have the time to cater to your appalling need for drama. 

Good news isn’t news, it won’t get eyeballs unless someone is scandalous or irreverent having a laugh at someone else’s expense and going too far, or just plain mean. The future is now, the computers in effect are reading our minds and they’re no where near healthy. 

It is true everyone is going to enjoy their 15 minutes of fame, but they’re going to have to sell their souls for it. For those who chase it, I hope it’s worth the drama.