For as long as I can remember, I haven't really liked the art of
arguing. Recently, in watching an episode of The Office, Oscar
mentioned how arguing only really makes those who argue
deeper entrenched in their original point of view. I have seen
this fault many times in my life and I try to avoid it at all
costs.
But if you really want to argue with me, you better know that
you're gonna need to have something substantial to say. There
is a movement within post-modern culture that is all about
'disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing'. It's sort of like listening
to let someone make a statement and then saying 'No! I don't
agree at all. That's wrong!' in a tone that is very facial and
rubbing. But then when the statement-maker questions the
person who disagrees, they get seen as the 'bad guy'.
Personally, I think that disagreeing only for the sake of
disagreement, in and of itself, is total bullshit. If you want to
disagree - fine. It's a free country and anyone is allowed to
disagree. But you better have something pretty awe-inspiring
or thought-provoking to offer if you're going to jump on an
argument and discredit it. Have a point. Don't disagree out of
a defensive, knee-jerk reaction. Think. Ponder. Then speak.
We are a society that speaks out of turn. We do things that
are rash and thoughtless. We move without looking to our
left or our right - we barge ahead and bowl others over.
We spit ideas without fully salivating first. We blather. We
bumble. We get told to 'fulfill our destinies' and 'let nothing
stand in our way'...when we don't even know what it is we
want.
Just thinkin'.
