The random thoughts of a genius...er...gene nash.
how-to make yourself politically irrelevant in one easy step
Published on June 9, 2004 By Gene Nash In Current Events

        What is wrong with people? Don't they even want to be taken seriously? Here are some comments I've seen made recently (two right here on JU):

"Bush is a c*nt." [ed. -- "vagina"]
"I'd vote for my dog before I'd vote for Bush."
"Bush is the most disgusting human being who ever lived."

        Those last two boggle the mind. Do the people that make these kinds of statements really believe them? Do they really expect to be taken seriously? They may as well be talking about CIA brain control beams and aluminum foil hats. Just as bad as these irrationalists are those who start hurling insults and abuse, as if that has ever gotten anyone any closer to any sort of goal. The concept of catching more flies with honey than with vinegar is thousands of years old yet seems totally lost on these people.

        In the comments to my article about "The Buddha on Cussing People Out" I responded to a couple of people who defended their cussing by saying:

It is certainly your right to express yourself any way you feel. I can't help but wonder, though, if it doesn't hinder you in some ways? Accomplishing anything significant requires the assistance and involvement of other people. Ultimately those who can help the most are likely to be those who would frown on such expression. Don't you think, perhaps, it lowers people's estimation of you and harms you in the longrun?

        The same could be said for these types of irrational remarks. Maybe amongst your little-group of like-minded friends these foolish statements carry some weight, but out in the larger free marketplace of ideas these sort of rantings are going to get you instantly dismissed. This is the surest, fastest way of getting everything you say and think instantly disregarded. What would you think of a guy who walked up to you and started talking about alien anal probing and urging you to wear cast-iron undies? Would you pay any attention to him? Would you give a rip about anything he said at any later point in time?

        If you want to have any impact in the world, don't establish yourself as a lunatic or as someone who can't take part in civil discussion. People who want to get things done in the world can't afford spouting these types of ill conceived notions. Don't alienate the public at large. Don't put off people of influence. When people spout these things they instantly remove themselves from the debate. They have just said "I am not a rational being and you are wasting your time with me." They've slammed the door to the conference room in their own faces, with themselves left standing on the outside. People flip a little switch in their heads and move on with the debate without these people. They have just shut themselves off from having any input in their world.

        Virtually everything in your life is going to require you to persuade someone. Making comments such as those above strip you of power. If you really believe the country is in better hands with your dog running it, please check yourself into the nearest sanitarium. Just don't expect to have any relevance to anyone or anything. Your impact will begin and end with your own opinion-- and that's not really worth anything at all.


Comments
on Jun 09, 2004
Yes, I agree. Sometimes people write utter bilge and thoughtless drivel. Sometimes I wonder whether we should have "Blog Apartheid"--blogsites for kids and those who think like kids--and sites for reasonable, "healthy-minded" people.
on Jun 09, 2004
Very well said.
on Jun 09, 2004
I just want to know why anyone would want to vote for a dog? I mean, I am sure the dog is good and all - but really

Great article Smartaz - JoeUsers please note... he states something rational at the begining, backed up why he thought this with reason, end result -development of civil and constuctive discussion!

BAM!!!
on Jun 09, 2004
end result -development of civil and constuctive discussion!


Now we don't want to start any trends now, do we? Can't have THAT sort of thing.
on Jun 25, 2004
I even had someone actually BRAG one time because he was able to "restrain himself" and reply to me without a single profanity in his post. Of course, his buddies then sang his praises


Isn't it interesting when people praise themselves for doing what they should be doing anyway. (And that's only a comment on Little Whip's comment, not on the person to whom she was refering since I don't know whom she was talking about anyway. Isn't it a sad commentary that I feel I have to make that disclaimer?)

I just want to know why anyone would want to vote for a dog? I mean, I am sure the dog is good and all - but really


Once upon a time Bud Lite Beer had a mascot named Spuds Mckenzie, a cute little white terrier with a spot around one eye. At that time I was working as an election official. You'd be amazed how many people wrote in Spuds Mckenzie as their choice for President (plus the requisite number of "Mickey Mouse" votes, of course).