Speak Out : Unintended Consequences
In the New Year we will find ourselves experiencing “unintended consequences” again as in past years. We will find ourselves committing the same errors of judgment when we should not have judged—or making “snap” decisions hastily. We will continue to disregard points of wisdom having buried our heads in the sand. Some of us will not have learned from past mistakes and will continue to drive through the same “pot holes in the road.”
So, is there any hope for improvement in our daily lives? YES, there is hope! Start by making a concerted effort to consider our responses before responding to each other. Look for ways to make this a better world for ourselves and future generations.
If we look to the past as we plot our future, we can benefit from reviewing past problems and seek solutions that can alleviate similar problems in the future. Those who disregard the history of past decisions will inevitably relive the past. Too often, individuals feel that they have a constitutional right to express themselves regardless of the consequences and harmful effects on other persons. Our insensitivity could reduce humanity to caveman status! Notably such conduct is not civil and can lead to anarchy. (Think about the many times you have wanted to tell another person to “put a sock in it”)
So who cares? Civil disorder can breed chaos and disrespect for humans all around the world. Therefore, we must act within the limits of civil conduct and avoid causing irreparable harm to our semi-civilized world. Governments must conduct their affairs in a responsive, responsible way for their citizens. Individually, we must be cognizant of what we SAY and what we DO. A case in point: Do you obey traffic laws because a law enforcement officer is present, or do you obey the law because it is the law and YOU, individually, respect the law?
We are not walking around with haloes on our heads. 1) Will we continue to err in judgment and in obedience to law and order? 2) Will we continue to be careless and unkind to other people around us when we could have been more sensitive? What we DO will be reflected in the events that unfold during the New Year and thereafter.
DAVID M in Texas
Put a sock in it, David M.
Not really sure what this is all about.
Making mistakes is how people learn.
If you want the government to change, vote.
If you want to make the world a more pleasant place, be a more pleasant person. Don’t look for payback, look for ways to pay it forward.
And does it really matter why people obey the law, as long as they obey it?
I do have the right to say what I think even if it is offensive. Its called the constitution, deal with it! If Martin Luther King had followed this advice, his “civil disruption” probably wouldn’t have had given us the modern civil rights movement. If the people who were at Stonewall hadn’t caused “civil disruption” we might have set back gay rights by decades. “Civil disruption” is a way for our world to address and bring difficult issues to light and bring real conversation about it.
The theory of not upsetting people with our speech is pure tripe and needs to be discarded like the trash it is. This whole PC movement is a way to suppress the opinions of dissenters by shaming them for thinking their own thoughts and not giving in to what others have fed them. True philosophers are not afraid of disapproval for their ideas. I for one will not be shamed into giving up my opinion for someone else’s comfort!
As for laws I choose which ones I obey and don’t based on my personal values. Consequences dictate my course of action in almost any situation.
We as a society need people who challenge and disrupt the status quo, without them we stagnate into the “Cavemen” that were brought up in the post.
I do believe in respect and proper social conduct. Without it we would surely all be doomed. They have a place in our world and in each of our lives. But, we need to realize that respecting someone else doesn’t mean denying who we are or how we feel.
Any debate we don’t have is a loss for us all.
That is a great perspective you have made here David. If we continue to do as we have in the past, you can never expect a change for the better in your own life.
Unfortunatly, being careful of what you say, and how you say it to people, isn’t happening today in our presidental electees. I believe all the dirt slinging that is being said today in the news will only harm the country and make us as American’s more violent, racially charged then we have ever known in our history. It is ok to your own thoughts on any subject, it is not ok to always air them. After all, everyone has an opinion, and just cause you disagree with something, doesn’t give you permission to say or do hurtful things in life, just to make your point to somebody. Think before you speak, after all we still have to learn to live together and co-exist on this earth.
What the hell is this article talking about??? Is there a specific issue he wants to bring up?? Putting a sock in it while obeying traffic laws even when there’s no law enforcer present?
Vague drivel.
I *do* have a halo, David, it’s held up by my horns! But seriously…
Common civility isn’t common anymore and ‘respect’ is to be earned rather than bestowed, it seems. That said, the Ugly Personality Genie is out of the bottle and I have no suggestions for others on how to get him back inside.
What I can do, however, is to not be “that” way to the best of my ability. Perhaps it will be contagious but if not I’ll be a more civilized person for the effort.
pretty simple treat everybody with respect, and the way you want to be treated
Required reading for anyone under age 40. Penalty for NOT ready? Your iPhone will be flash programed to play this continually whenever it is powered on.
I do have the right to say what I think even if it is offensive. Its called the constitution, deal with it! If Martin Luther King had followed this advice, his “civil disruption” probably wouldn’t have had given us the modern civil rights movement. “Civil disruption” is a way for our world to address and bring difficult issues to light and bring real conversation about it.
The theory of not upsetting people with our speech is pure tripe and needs to be discarded like the trash it is. This whole PC movement is a way to suppress the opinions of dissenters by shaming them for thinking their own thoughts and not giving in to what others have fed them. True philosophers are not afraid of disapproval for their ideas. I for one will not be shamed into giving up my opinion for someone else’s comfort!
We as a society need people who challenge and disrupt the status quo, without them we stagnate into the “Cavemen” that were brought up in the post.
I do believe in respect and proper social conduct. Without it we would surely all be doomed. They have a place in our world and in each of our lives. But, we need to realize that respecting someone else doesn’t mean denying who we are or how we feel.
Any debate we don’t have is a loss for us all.
I absolutely love this post. I commend the person who wrote it. Very thought-provoking.
Not judging frees up a lot of mental energy that can be used for anything that comes to mind. Blocking negative energies, not giving negative persons power will reduce the mental drain and increase positive results. A smile will get you laid a lot faster than bitching. Just saying.
Very thoughtful and sound advice as well and deep thought provoking questions. Thank you David M in Texas.
We ALL need to step back and use the old adage “Engage your brain FIRST before opening your mouth” not only before speaking but also before doing.
Michael K in Illinois
Insensitivity leading to anarchy? Really? Passive aggressive men are so worth passing up.
Ridiculous post
AMEN! HAPPY NEW YEAR! To one and all.
Bingo!!
You nailed it perfectly
I appreciate your wise advice. Coworkers and I had q discussion of such things last night. Hypersensitivity amd selfishness, egocentricity and inconsideration lead to hasty, unkind, ill-considered words, thoughtless actions, hostile qnd prejudiced attitudes. If you always think you’re number one, you’ll treat everyone like “number two”. It does take a bit of reflection to avoid wrongful speech. It does require the method of the Charlotte quartetback, who said, “I’m saying this looking in the mirror.” If we think how we’d feel, if we think whether good is likely to result, we will be wiser in our words, prudent on our actions, and helpful to humanity. And we’ll see that eventially, we’ll attract what we bestow. Kharma, they call it. You can kiss someone or spit on him. You decide.
I would say be authentic. Set your boundaries with people and enforce them. If someone matters to you and you want to say “put a sock in it” do so. If it’s someone not important, then disengage.
What the fuck are you talking about? You sound like you’re mentally retarded.
One can tell people age range here by how there attitudes and how they speak out here. Have fun all you young studs today, cause the world is getting more distructive by the hour.
Those of you who are praising David M in Texas must be new here. We who regularly follow this blog are familiar with his stuff. About every 6 weeks, he issues another epistle in which he pontificates about some bee in his bonnet. If you bother to wade through his verbose meandering, the general theme is always the same: “I am the wise, all-knowing one, so live your life as I tell you and you’ll be almost as good a person as I am.”
Such arrogance is so obnoxious, I can almost smell it coming through my screen.
A whole generation gets butt hurt at the suggestion of criticism, and demands to take what others have worked for, and the rest of us are supposed to worry that hurting someone’s little feelers will spark anarchy. Take a midol Mabel.