Take others' views seriously then, even if they contradict your own at the time. Being unforgiving and keeping doors shut doesn't mean you'll be forced to progress.
Real life is deadly serious, and people who act out life as if it's some big joke have normally led a sheltered existence and had an easy ride. Pity them.
Is it sad that i knew exactly what this video was going to be about just by reading the title? *sigh* As long as its still in style to not give a shit about anything, but selectively pretend you do to look good for certain people, then my fashion-sense will continue to be out-dated.
I have quite a sad experience with my Facebook friends and with the most of Internet forums and discussions that I take part in. Most people seem to completely avoid any serious civil discussion about almost any topic. Yes, XOmniverse may have a point about the vulnerability (if I express any serious independent idea, people do attack me); anyway, I'm afraid most people are also too lazy and too unprepared to think independently about any intellectual issue, let alone articulate their thoughts.
I find interesting this video and is something it happens to me but, for me, is like I don't know what to do with this information, I mean, yes, it happens to me, but is not something i can change just because i notice it happens to me. I see it more complicate, that not being sincere is the result of many other things and one can't resolve it directly. I don't know if that makes sense.
How odd. I'm coming to a somewhat opposite conclusion. I increasingly find it difficult to take someone's views seriously that the philosophical and logical foundations and implications for which are unsound if not incredible. It's a reaction on the order of recognizing the unhealthiness of banging your head against a wall.
Sure. If someones an arrogant prick without a shred of humility and tries to act like he knows exactly what hes talking about, then id get annoyed, but id say, overall, people need to be encouraged to think deeper about things and to think for themselves, even if they start out being completely wrong. Dont knock someone down for genuinely trying.
What a wonderful insight. It reminds me of sitting around the lunch table at the office when I express a genuine opinion on a serious issue and basically get mocked for it. Comments such as: "Woah, that's real deep man". Most of my old friends in life tend to just want more stuff. They have zero interest in wanting to be more in any way whatsoever. This too has meant a 'friend cull' for me, which unfortunately, in the eyes of some has framed me as a moody, selfish and anti-social individual :-)
All things in their time and place. I fear the humorless as well as those who feel that "life is but a joke." as well.
That said, I think one of the motivations of people who won't let you take yourself seriously it it disrupts the kind of "I am powerless, I can't change anything, best if I care about nothing" attitude that requires group consensus to maintain.
When someone in a room full of the chronically frivolous gives a crap, it makes others in the room feel uncomfortable or guilty.
As Chesterton once quipped, "Funny is not the opposite of serious, funny is the opposite of not funny. The greatest wits have always been masters at being both serious & funny. Chesterton, of course, Wilde, Groucho, etc. Being an egghead in America has a long history of derision & rejection & is a peculiar cultural ethos of which, sadly, most folks are unaware. Instead of "serious," perhaps you mean "sincere?" Isn't it sincerity that contains most of the pitfalls within communication & intimacy?
I find I have the opposite problem, where all too often, I take myself too seriously. I've certainly improved in recent years, but I still have times when feelings of humiliation or embarrassment can linger. I also feel very uncomfortable with small talk about the inconsequential or trivial.
I know what you mean. I appear to have two groups of 'friends'; those who I chat with only about non-serious subjects, humour, entertainment e.t.c. and those that I chat to about all of those things and things that really matter, like philosophy, my life e.t.c. The latter group have given me much more rewarding relationships and to call both types 'friends' is probably doing disservice to the latter, or giving too much credit to the former.
I'm slowly learning this with my old facebook acquaintances - It only takes one post or comment about a libertarian-related item to get a couple people in attack mode. A friend can disagree with you, but a friend will, if they care about you, explain in a respectful approach why they think you're wrong. I've found that my "acquaintances" who I once considered friends will attack (when they are not ignoring).
Do you find this is true on YT? Are you attacked more when you are being serious?
I had a friend who scoffed if you ever tried to treat something seriously, so I know exactly what you mean. Like, if you tried to discuss anything philosophical, he'd just laugh as if it was futile or naive or something.
I was talking to you on MSN ages ago and I apologised for my over-use of "lol" - which I think is a related issue. You said it was probably a kind of defense mechanism. It's probably a way of sounding less serious as to avoid the vulnerability you talk about.
@Darkademic It was something I used to do a lot when talking to my friends, although never when talking to strangers (e.g. in forum debates, where I was - and am - always very clear and open about what I think). I still do it, but like yourself I've become much more aware of it. Probably at least partly due to our little MSN convo.. lol.
lol what is this noob going on about? blah blah blah
haha just kidding :p
i don't think i myself have ever encountered people with that particular insecurity. what i seem to notice is... people can get defensive easily and will either consciously or subconsciously try to diffuse/disguise that tension by chuckling or in on-line situations, using lol. i don't know if that has anything to do with the video but oh well.
I've had this experience before as well, I kind of think because I'm not really associated with philosophy and politics in any way that any time I say anything about it I'm sort of disqualified, or at best an amateur hobbyist, which is unfair because I've been thinking for all my adult life. They just didn't know anything about the subject nor me, so I would rather spend time talking about it with people who know or at least can understand "where" I am and can deduce my experience and how itfits
I cry when someone blocks me on youtube. It just happened a few minutes ago. Does that mean I'm taking myself seriously? Or am I just being stupid?
juliecranford 6 days ago
Helpful hint bro shave the beard and get contacts you'd be looking good.
lazzerbear 1 week ago
Take others' views seriously then, even if they contradict your own at the time. Being unforgiving and keeping doors shut doesn't mean you'll be forced to progress.
tweekin001 1 week ago
Real life is deadly serious, and people who act out life as if it's some big joke have normally led a sheltered existence and had an easy ride. Pity them.
SmippeHyrst 1 month ago
Is it sad that i knew exactly what this video was going to be about just by reading the title? *sigh* As long as its still in style to not give a shit about anything, but selectively pretend you do to look good for certain people, then my fashion-sense will continue to be out-dated.
AttunedFlux 1 month ago
Do you still agree with your "should people have a conscience" video? You seem in touch with your emotions in this video as opposed to that one.
OriginalityEatsYou 1 month ago
I have quite a sad experience with my Facebook friends and with the most of Internet forums and discussions that I take part in. Most people seem to completely avoid any serious civil discussion about almost any topic. Yes, XOmniverse may have a point about the vulnerability (if I express any serious independent idea, people do attack me); anyway, I'm afraid most people are also too lazy and too unprepared to think independently about any intellectual issue, let alone articulate their thoughts.
danielsondanielson 1 month ago
I find interesting this video and is something it happens to me but, for me, is like I don't know what to do with this information, I mean, yes, it happens to me, but is not something i can change just because i notice it happens to me. I see it more complicate, that not being sincere is the result of many other things and one can't resolve it directly. I don't know if that makes sense.
BTW, I miss your podcast.
Paseosinperro 1 month ago
How odd. I'm coming to a somewhat opposite conclusion. I increasingly find it difficult to take someone's views seriously that the philosophical and logical foundations and implications for which are unsound if not incredible. It's a reaction on the order of recognizing the unhealthiness of banging your head against a wall.
DanaGarrett 1 month ago
@DanaGarrett
Sure. If someones an arrogant prick without a shred of humility and tries to act like he knows exactly what hes talking about, then id get annoyed, but id say, overall, people need to be encouraged to think deeper about things and to think for themselves, even if they start out being completely wrong. Dont knock someone down for genuinely trying.
AttunedFlux 1 month ago
@AttunedFlux The difficult bit is to figure whether they act or actually do know what they are talking about.
john42t 1 month ago
Great thoughts.
Darkwolverine06 1 month ago
What a wonderful insight. It reminds me of sitting around the lunch table at the office when I express a genuine opinion on a serious issue and basically get mocked for it. Comments such as: "Woah, that's real deep man". Most of my old friends in life tend to just want more stuff. They have zero interest in wanting to be more in any way whatsoever. This too has meant a 'friend cull' for me, which unfortunately, in the eyes of some has framed me as a moody, selfish and anti-social individual :-)
ArchimedeanEye 1 month ago
ANTONIO
I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano;
A stage where every man must play a part,
And mine a sad one.
GRATIANO
Let me play the fool:
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come
ponyfaces 1 month ago
All things in their time and place. I fear the humorless as well as those who feel that "life is but a joke." as well.
That said, I think one of the motivations of people who won't let you take yourself seriously it it disrupts the kind of "I am powerless, I can't change anything, best if I care about nothing" attitude that requires group consensus to maintain.
When someone in a room full of the chronically frivolous gives a crap, it makes others in the room feel uncomfortable or guilty.
ArmyOfThePleroma 1 month ago
Y SO SRS
machwon 1 month ago
As Chesterton once quipped, "Funny is not the opposite of serious, funny is the opposite of not funny. The greatest wits have always been masters at being both serious & funny. Chesterton, of course, Wilde, Groucho, etc. Being an egghead in America has a long history of derision & rejection & is a peculiar cultural ethos of which, sadly, most folks are unaware. Instead of "serious," perhaps you mean "sincere?" Isn't it sincerity that contains most of the pitfalls within communication & intimacy?
BrotherWoody1 1 month ago 4
@BrotherWoody1 Sincerity might be a better word for it.
XOmniverse 1 month ago
Great video.
baggytheo 1 month ago
Great thoughts, thank you
chris3443 1 month ago
Great insight.
shlockofgod 1 month ago
I find I have the opposite problem, where all too often, I take myself too seriously. I've certainly improved in recent years, but I still have times when feelings of humiliation or embarrassment can linger. I also feel very uncomfortable with small talk about the inconsequential or trivial.
Alastrian83 1 month ago
@Alastrian83 Don't blame yourself, that's nothing to be ashamed of.
john42t 1 month ago
@john42t
Its kind of you to say... and I do agree that there's no shame in not being into triviality.
Alastrian83 1 month ago
Interesting observation, thumbs up.
101011b 1 month ago
I know what you mean. I appear to have two groups of 'friends'; those who I chat with only about non-serious subjects, humour, entertainment e.t.c. and those that I chat to about all of those things and things that really matter, like philosophy, my life e.t.c. The latter group have given me much more rewarding relationships and to call both types 'friends' is probably doing disservice to the latter, or giving too much credit to the former.
KristianHicks 1 month ago
I'm slowly learning this with my old facebook acquaintances - It only takes one post or comment about a libertarian-related item to get a couple people in attack mode. A friend can disagree with you, but a friend will, if they care about you, explain in a respectful approach why they think you're wrong. I've found that my "acquaintances" who I once considered friends will attack (when they are not ignoring).
Do you find this is true on YT? Are you attacked more when you are being serious?
BookofNick 1 month ago
I had a friend who scoffed if you ever tried to treat something seriously, so I know exactly what you mean. Like, if you tried to discuss anything philosophical, he'd just laugh as if it was futile or naive or something.
I was talking to you on MSN ages ago and I apologised for my over-use of "lol" - which I think is a related issue. You said it was probably a kind of defense mechanism. It's probably a way of sounding less serious as to avoid the vulnerability you talk about.
Darkademic 1 month ago
@Darkademic It was something I used to do a lot when talking to my friends, although never when talking to strangers (e.g. in forum debates, where I was - and am - always very clear and open about what I think). I still do it, but like yourself I've become much more aware of it. Probably at least partly due to our little MSN convo.. lol.
Darkademic 1 month ago
lol what is this noob going on about? blah blah blah
haha just kidding :p
i don't think i myself have ever encountered people with that particular insecurity. what i seem to notice is... people can get defensive easily and will either consciously or subconsciously try to diffuse/disguise that tension by chuckling or in on-line situations, using lol. i don't know if that has anything to do with the video but oh well.
clamantuanguyan 1 month ago
I've had this experience before as well, I kind of think because I'm not really associated with philosophy and politics in any way that any time I say anything about it I'm sort of disqualified, or at best an amateur hobbyist, which is unfair because I've been thinking for all my adult life. They just didn't know anything about the subject nor me, so I would rather spend time talking about it with people who know or at least can understand "where" I am and can deduce my experience and how itfits
coaxx 1 month ago
Insightful.
totheman 1 month ago