In the maze of thoughts ... One can't build a better world on rage alone
I was originally thinking about putting this as a “Questioning the Quoted” episode featuring Geralt and his iconic quote (which might still be a thing) but I’ll make it into a “regular” post while keeping the quote relatable. In past few weeks, things happened which made anyone with a functioning brain, no matter how much brainrot one might be consuming on a regular basis, shudder in horror and/or facepalm so hard their hand went straight through their forehead. Now, I’m not here to judge how everyone reacted. I’m not an arbiter of morality for such thing is less universal than many try to tell you. That said, there’s definitely something that has been coming back to me ever since I started being more active in the virtual and meatspace and watching the overall reactions. And now it’s time to explore what and why.
First things first, I’m not going to remind anyone what has happened for one, it’s a thing of the past and best to move on and for two, I refuse to give attention to idiots. What however keeps my gears going, and it’s not this specific instance, is the amount of anger that always rises from every single corner. Of course I’m familiar with the concept of “righteous anger”; one that gives you the feeling of justice being served. I’m also supportive of the idea of letting one’s anger out. Believe me, you don’t want to hold that shit inside you and let it “brew” because it’ll either corrode you from within or become something even worse. With all that said however, one must be mindful of how these are used and handled. How come, you might ask? Because “anger” is raw, primal and it’s easy to be consumed by it. And when that happens, one’s view narrows, focuses at the goal.
But what is the goal? To make room for a better world? To get the feeling of justice? To punish those responsible for ills of the past and likely present? Maybe it’s just one of these. Or maybe all of them. Or maybe something else. There’s however that one common denominator; all is being fueled by anger, righteous or otherwise. And as I said just shortly before, anger is primal. It shadows one’s rational judgement, reverting one’s mind into a simple “Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn” state. In these cases more often than anything it’ll be the “Fight”. And here comes the dangerous part because remember that one is in the “primal state”. In this state, one just wants to tear things apart. Or maybe even pour salt into the wound. But is that a good thing? Does an act of evil done in revenge validate it? Well, if you probably know why I referenced Geralt at the start. Because if you asked him he’d say
Evil is evil. Lesser, greater, middling, it makes no difference. The degree is arbitrary, the definition’s blurred. If I’m to choose between one evil and another, I’d rather not choose at all.
I’ll get into a dissection of the quote some other time since it’s not in the scope of this post but it’s idea applies to what I’m thinking about here. It’s not unusual for many people within social spaces, luckily more often online than in meatspace but the latter is being more and more present at a worrying rate (take a guess from whom), to fight for their cause at any cost. And I mean any cost to a point of disregarding people “on the sidelines” who could potentially be aligned with one’s cause but they’re discouraged by one’s actions making them question whether their way is the correct one.
“But Rawi, the others are doing exactly that! They’re stoking the fires of rage and using them to further their cause! Are we supposed to bend over?” No, my dear reader, you’re not to do any such thing. For your task isn’t to strike at those who already are firmly against you. They’re a lost cause and any and all energy spent fighting them directly outside of necessary cases is wasted. Your task is to beat them indirectly. You should be showing those who aren’t lost yet that your way is the better one. It may not be perfect, because no way is, but your way should be showing a cause worth pursuing. The difficult part is “selling it”. Why? Because it’s easy to promote fear than hope. Fear is, just like anger, a primal emotion. It’s easy to manipulate someone through primal emotions and those who use it for their selfish reasons know this very well. They know how to create an image of you that stokes the fires of fear.
“Wait, how does that relate to what I’m doing?” you’re probably asking. Well, look at your actions regarding whatever just happened that could potentially put yet another target on your back. Do they contradict the lies that are being spread? Or are they contributing to that image that’s being constructed to other you? Are your actions and thoughts one of confidence in your ideals? Or are they fueled by the judgement of others not agreeing with you fully, rendering you no better than the ones ostracising you? I get the idea of “embracing the cringe” but this doesn’t work on everything. Especially considering that “cringe” is the keyword. What I’m referring to isn’t exactly cringy. It’s something rather serious and requires a different kind of action.
“Wait, you’re both-siding me!” No, I’m not both siding you. Because for doing so I’d need the other side. But there’s no other side. There’s yet another person with a “infallible” worldview that’s going to save everyone. “But …” Shush, no buts and/or ifs. What you’re offering is just another “I’m right because XYZ” except you don’t have the leverage to create the critical mass of mindshare for you refuse to “stoop down” to the “bad one’s” level. Hence why your cause, even when noble, falls flat with those you should be convincing in the first place.
Did I make you stop and think? If I did so, then good. Because you might just be getting out of the self-destructive state of trying to create a better world through anger. Why is it self-destructive? Well, just look at your adversaries who are doing so and what it brings them. Is that a better world? Do you want the same just with a different “excuse”? Probably not.
Now, before I leave you with the puzzle in your head, let me give you a tool for handling certain situations when it comes to nasty people. Sure, giving them hell might feel satisfying but it in fact isn’t. And these days it even kicks you right back in the face due to the “attention economy”. However, if you really have an enemy you want to just have their face eaten, let me offer a suggestion:
May you lose that which you value the most. And may you be reminded of your loss every minute for the rest of your life with absolutely no way to change that.
How does this work? Well, I doubt you want your enemy to “go away easily”. And everyone, even the really deranged individuals, value something, whatever that may be.
R.R.A.