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Oops! I may have failed already but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Come to think of it, we're already friends!
There's a difference, imo, between having a decidedly different opinion (which you and I often do with others) and in doing so writing a strong response to a viewpoint, and going out of one's way to insult someone personally (and going further, blocking a response). This is a forum of folks all over the globe from many different backgrounds and belief systems, so naturally a wide range of viewpoints would be represented.
This morning in the California Forum I was favorably impressed by a poster who had apologized to someone who felt insulted by one of her posts, so I made the following comment:
"Although this matter is none of my business, I have enormous respect for you because of your decision to apologize. The ability to apologize is a mark of good character, in my opinion."
That was the entirety of my post. Well guess what? Instead of just gracefully acknowledging my comment with a brief thanks (or just letting it go without any commentary at all), the person whom I had tried to compliment had to find a way to be snarky and stick her knife in.
What is it with all the generalized hostility out there?
Edited to add: Within the last few days a poster in the Economics Forum said he was "praying" for a total world-wide economic collapse. What kind of misanthropy would permit someone to wish for abject suffering for hundreds of millions of people? Perhaps, of course, he didn't really mean it and it was a troll post. But with some of those people I get the impression they really do mean it!
I think there is a sort of free-floating anxiety "out there" in the world right now . . . it has been building for a long time and may be the culmination of the fall out from 2008 and the economic crash that began at that time.
All I know is, I regularly get pummeled. Of course, I haven't been online as much the last six weeks but wow - folks are often way over the top with anger issues, thin skins, and wackadoodle ideas.
I have spent more time lately on my own FB account, where we all try to life each other up and any discussion is civil and out of love and concern. The fact that folks are "anonymous" on C-D also gives them internal permission, I think, to be ugly (sadly).
Sigh, yes. In order to avoid the snarky DMs from this poster, I've had to go back to accepting DMs only from friends. So, folks, if you wanna be a friend...send me a request. If you pass my little test, you'll be in!
I have to concur with anifani a bit; with the recession there are far more people with time on their hands and angry because of it, and it's not going to get better any time soon. The new good old days.
Spread the love, what ye cast out returneth..........
I have to say that many times I see people interpret different things different ways. What some see as nasty and attacking are nothing more than differences in people's sense of humor or ways of expressing things and even more often, that anyone that doesn't agree with them is 'attacking' them.
Frequently, complainers think they are above reproach in their approach.
It brings to mind the old plank in the ye saying.
I have to concur with anifani a bit; with the recession there are far more people with time on their hands and angry because of it, and it's not going to get better any time soon. The new good old days.
Spread the love, what ye cast out returneth..........
I think you are right - it isn't going to get better any time soon (the economic problems the middle class and upper lower class are experiencing).
I am working on an article for a client right now - about the psychological effects of longterm financial distress. Whole families (every member) in some areas of the country have been affected. Then there are other areas where the majority of families have been out of work (or have taken part time jobs or jobs that slashed their salaries in more than HALF) . . . so financial distress is becoming a community health issue - not just a personal or family issue.
We are used to being optimistic in this country, since WWII. Things turn around . . . prosperty on the horizon . . . and folks are just beginning to understand that there is no prosperity on the horizon. We have outsourced our jobs to foreign countries. The only jobs available in this country are service related, including teaching and healthcare. There are some research and engineering jobs . . . and in some areas, some construction jobs . . . but overall, with manufacturing "gone" -- we are now a country of consumers and most of what we consume is manufactured elsewhere (other than fast food - but the ingredients are often from somewhere else!) Even restaurants are buying their ingredients from China, i.e., seafood.
Have you looked at the "country of origin" (if it is even listed!) on jar/can labels? I quit eating Dole fruit when I realized it (in this case, peaches) was from CHINA, a country filled with pollution.
All I know is, I regularly get pummeled. Of course, I haven't been online as much the last six weeks but wow - folks are often way over the top with anger issues, thin skins, and wackadoodle ideas.
I have spent more time lately on my own FB account, where we all try to life each other up and any discussion is civil and out of love and concern. The fact that folks are "anonymous" on C-D also gives them internal permission, I think, to be ugly (sadly).
I have to say that many times I see people interpret different things different ways. What some see as nasty and attacking are nothing more than differences in people's sense of humor or ways of expressing things and even more often, that anyone that doesn't agree with them is 'attacking' them.
Frequently, complainers think they are above reproach in their approach.
It brings to mind the old plank in the ye saying.
While I generally agree, there are the subtle ones that are meant to dig deep but fortunately the recipient sees it for what it is and laughs. The worst offense on CD is when someone uses a "rep" or a one-way DM to make a snarky comment. You're fortunate if you have't experienced it. I have, only once, and frankly was completely surprised as it was in response to something I said to be kind to someone else. Lots of weird folks out there, so we know to take these things with a huge grain of salt (or sand, or whatever).
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