Writer's Block - world events/ random ramblings

[xlcatloveress]

Today, Writer's Block asked:
What's the first major news event that you remember hearing about as a child? Where did you learn about it? How did it impact your world view?Here now my answer (excuse the ramblings, please

Comments

[nix_this]

Wow darling, just wow. So many things touched on that I would love to pick your brain about over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, your choice

[xlcatloveress]

Why hello there! I'm glad to hear that my ramblings were interesting to you *chuckles* I was kinda wondering if anyone would even take the time to read all that, and then .. you guys not only did but actually found it interesting

[xlcatloveress]

And then .. less than half a year after Honecker (the ruler of East Germany) had declared that the Wall would stand for another hundred years, the borders crumbled. Slowly, one by one, the East Bloc states loosened their travel restrictions, and eventually, the German-German border fell. There was an .. exuberance, an ecstasy, a jubilation that is hard to describe. Germany seemed to be caught up in a euphoria that swept everyone along. Things moved fast after that, and soon there wasn't only just no border anymore, Germany had also undergone Reunification and was one once more. But .. how do you erase separation from people's minds? How do you teach a generation that has been brought up on division and propaganda (on both sides, I'm sure - I wouldn't say we had an exactly objective opinion on East Germany) that what it was taught before now has become invalid? There are still struggles with that, actually, and I don't think the division will be truly gone until I am in the grandparent generation and my kids who have never lived in a

[nix_this]

*grin*

Sorry this took so long to get back to, that's the problem with long interesting conversations, they take time to weigh, consider and respond to (and frankly, my brainspace lately has been more along the lines of "ooooooh! Pretty COLOURS!!" *durr*)

But wow, the West/East German divide is fascinating. I work with a woman who is a Chechnyan refugee (was? is there a time limit on refugee status?) and she came over just as it was all starting to fall apart. They were practicing Christians in a communist regime and she told me that even after the Cold War was over there was still this incredible atmosphere of distrust and fear, where it still seemed as if your neighbours were waiting for their chance to sell you out.

I wonder about that too (and this is just random babble, not really related to what you wrote) Do you think living in that sort of environment is more likely to foster closer ties or alienation? Probably alienation as a whole, but I'd imagine when you find yourself in a position where you do trust, you're probably

I CAN BREAK THE LJ COMMENT LIMIT TOO, Y'KNOW! ;)

[nix_this]

At the risk of sounding callous - have you ever thought about using your experiences in your writing? I'm thinking there's a lot of great story fodder there, especially in the living in a war zone feelings you experienced during the Cold War. Fear, uncertainty and a general sense of doom.. Just. Yeah. A thought.

Failing that - I'll just have to interview you more thoroughly so I can use it in my writing! (Oh, speaking of, you'll be pleased (I hope XD) to know the next chapter of Nixaan Theta is done, just waiting to hear back from the beta and possibly polish up some transitions :D )

Also, on a lighter note - your uncles experiencing 'fernweh' (GREAT WORD BTW. I love Germans, you gave me Schadenfreude too) that settled in Canada? Where are they? Are you ever planning to visit them? If they're near Alberta, we can WORK SOMETHING OUT :D Wouldn't that be fun? We could call it a great Cultural Exchange in the Finest of Star Trek traditions :D

Thanks again for the fascinating read and humouring a curious Canuck :)