January 30, 2008
I’ve mentioned before that yes, I real Violent Acres, the controversial, outspoken blogger who has managed to insult every sub-culture on the internet, it seems. And fact remains, I agree with most of what she says, even if I don’t stand on a street corner yelling it at people.
She had a guest blogger today. Wide Lawns and Narrow Minds. The name is rather misleading, to me. She’s also outspoken and doesn’t mince words, but doesn’t seem to quite set out to alienate the world like VA does. Her post was all about being judgmental and being accused of always judging. Now, I consider myself probably the most un-judgmental person I know (Hey, I was born in the south. Until I was 30, everyone I knew was judgmental and bigoted about something.).
My dilemma comes from the fact that while I believe one should have an opinion and stick with it in the face of conflict and adversity, I don’t see any reason to be rude about it. (I’m pretty sure Wolfie is laughing his ass off right about now.) Yep, I used to be the obnoxious person who faced off with women walking down the sidewalks in real fur coats. I’m a pretty big fan of “my way is the right way.” And I agree with one of her points so much I was nodding when I read it.
We’ve become such a society of pussies who are afraid to say what’s really on our mind that we’ve actually been frightened into not having much of anything on our mind at all anymore.
I agree that we’ve become a society of shruggers. But you see, I’m also a libertarian. Do you see my problem? Basically, what I want is for everyone to have an opinion and to stick to their guns, but for it to be the RIGHT opinion so I don’t have to get in their face and make them see the error of their ways.
Yeah, I’m not so big into conflict anymore. :)
January 30, 2008 at 8:16 am
As a libertarian, you should feel entitled to tell others off. It’s their own business to be offended or not, change their ways or not, but there’s absolutely no conflict in telling them that they are acting like a moron.
January 30, 2008 at 9:12 am
I have little feeling entitlement, personally.
Liberty is the right to live your life in the way you choose, so long as you do not initiate force upon any other individual.
As I said, ideally, everyone would also think and believe in the best way to benefit themselves and their community, but that’s not true, and is actually unrealistic an expectation. So, you live your life and hope by example you’re teaching others.
January 30, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hi thanks for commenting about my post. I definitely don’t set out to alienate the world! I think if you are a libertarian then you should tell lots of people about your views and sometimes debate on topics and issues is good as long as you don’t get too emotional about it. I like your pomegranate by the way. Please tell that’s what that is.
January 30, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Hehe. Actually, it’s fig.
Thank you for commenting and to just clarify. On a blog (our LJ, whatever ones uses), a person has their own personal space where they are allowed to say whatever the hell they want. That’s why I honestly do get tickled when VA’s posts create such a stir on the ‘Net. Just as I would never come to your blog and make a comment that “Hey, you’re being a judgmental bitch here.” And I wouldn’t expect someone to come to mine, although it’s happened before and will again. That’s how people are wired.
So, it’s not your blog, V’s blog, or whatever that makes me squirm. I guess it’s the ‘in your face’ part of it, which I guess we’ve all done too.
It’s true, I’ve become more passive in that I don’t now go up to a woman in a fur coat and ask her how she likes the idea of wearing a really cute bunny rabbit (like I used to), among other beliefs I have that weren’t always considered ‘normal’. I totally respect and would fight for your right to say whatever you (this is the generic you I’m talking about) want in your space. But I’m not crazy about people who just take it upon themselves to ‘educate’ everyone, because people SELDOM react well to that, and you usually wind up doing more harm than good.
Yes, as a libertarian, I do take every opportunity to educate and enlighten people on my beliefs and if they actually ask my opinion? Well, they better get ready for it. But, I also believe it’s up to each person to make their own mistakes and learn. Not up to me to ’save them from themselves’.
I hope this has made some small amount of sense and I really do enjoy both your blogs. Keep on saying whatever you like there. I think everyone should have a blog (or journal) and not be afraid to use it!
p.s. - if you really want to see wank, you should be in ANY fandom community (mostly on LJ). We invented the word.