Quote:
Originally Posted by Peaceful Soul
I wish to add some further thoughts to this conversation, this negativity or meaness is something that is very pervasive in today's society, it is everywhere and affects everyone. This meaness has to take root somewheres, has to have its genesis in someones soul. It can not exist otherwise, it needs hatred and malice to exist. It (hatred) once given life, picks up speed as it goes further injuring others and destroying everything it touches. Nothing positive nor beneficial can come of this and it will destoy everything it touches. It serves no purpose other than to destroy and ruin everything in it's wake. I also believe that "society" has put its stamp of approval on this meaness as a way to build self up and it is a sign of weakness to show compassion and caring for individuals that are perceived as weaker or more vulnerable. It has become sport for many to subject these folks to ridicule and cruelty. Where did we get this erroneous assumption, TV maybe? The television is becoming the catalyst for malice and dysfunctional behavior, it is the town crier of all of societies ills and is a carrrier of this message of malice. This is to say nothing of the internut. The only way this vortex of hatred can be stymied is to start with the individual and one at a time try to change one's own heart and mind. To be continued, PS
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Meanness can also come from hurt, not just hate. Oh, and jealousy & fear. It can also be a barrier, to be on top of the food chain as it were, and protect oneself by being the meanest. I also believe that we are born with all our emotions, which is why a very small child can hurt others without a blink of an eye.. Its not til later and we learn how to deal with such emotions which makes us what we are later in life. But even that can change, due to circumstances.
I also disagree with TV. So many people think that TV is the root of all evil, that's far too simple. The emotions are already there in place, TV doesn't do so much. Sure, some style of jokes are acidic on TV, but all TV did was get it to a mass audience - we already were like that, just look back in time. Look at wars and that's why we will never stop having them. By the way, I love sarcastic, acidic humour for the most part. But I am British and that is very much our humour and there is little like it in the world. And I can tell you, this humour has not changed me in the slightest and I am very capable of kindness, and often am.
I also disagree with the internet. It is just a platform, and it cannot be responsible for people's meanness. How can it? It has no brain. It can be an easy place to hide bullies, but that is changing in the courts. On the flip side, both TV and the internet can be a source of much good and help and a perfect example of a good human trait - this forum for example. Here is a wonderful example of kindness from perfect strangers. Its just we are yin and yang and we are all capable of kindness and hate, these are emotions that are human.
Oh, and I was also bullied at school as I was a punk. Why did people be so mean to me? Because of fear of the unknown, not understanding, and not liking anything different. I do not think that those bullies hated me, they just didn't understand me.