Why are some people filled with mindless hatred?

[henry quirk]

"There are other options than ignoring or killing, yes?"

Sure, if you have the time and inclination (and there's a clear profit to be had)

I don't (and there usually isn't).

##

"You are not overly curious."

About some things: no.

About others: yes.

In my experience: curiosity should be harnessed, directed. Left unrestrained, the curious impulse can have one debating how many fairies can dance on the head of a pin; can lead one to devote a life to recording ghost whispers; can lead one to weighing sparrow farts.

It’s my personal preference married to experience, I suppose.

#

"...a philosophy forum, supposed to be the preeminent playground of curious people!"

Philosophizing (thinking deep and hard) was castrated by philosophy and philosophers a long time back.

[marjoram_blues]

"I don't think this helps us understand the issue."

I think, perhaps, some folks want answers were there are none to be had.

"Why are some people filled with mindless hatred?"

Because they just 'are'.

There are other options than ignoring or shooting, yes?
Some direct challenges have been shown to change behaviour for the better.

One recent example was Mary Beard's challenge and eventual befriending of a vile internet troll:
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/j ... tter-abuse
http://timesonline.typepad.com/dons_lif ... -fury.html

Sometimes it is worth it. Rather than take the easy ignore option.

[henry quirk]

"Sometimes it is worth it."

Sure, when there's a profit to be had.

Beard saw a potential profit...good on her.

#

"Rather than take the easy ignore option."

"Easy"?

HA!

[Hobbes' Choice]

"I don't think this helps us understand the issue."

I think, perhaps, some folks want answers were there are none to be had.

"Why are some people filled with mindless hatred?"

Because they just 'are'.

There are other options than ignoring or shooting, yes?
Some direct challenges have been shown to change behaviour for the better.

One recent example was Mary Beard's challenge and eventual befriending of a vile internet troll:
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/j ... tter-abuse
http://timesonline.typepad.com/dons_lif ... -fury.html

Sometimes it is worth it. Rather than take the easy ignore option.

I met Mary back in 95 when the Classics Society Annual Conference came to my University. She was warm and friendly to everyone she met, and despite her vaulted position in the world of Ancient History, was kind to all the staff and students.
If any one is a "cnnt" then it's the idiot that thinks that a grey-haired woman is not capable of contributing to a TV program.
Ignorance and stupidity fears the wise and generous. And that is what Mary is all about.

[marjoram_blues]

"Sometimes it is worth it."

Sure, when there's a profit to be had.

Beard saw a potential profit...good on her.

#

"Rather than take the easy ignore option."

"Easy"?

HA!

There you go with your *shrugs* and your 'HA!'s again. Some things never change, eh Hennery ?
If you're talking about a monetary profit, not Beard's prime motive in challenging the vitriol.
Yes, you think that ignoring isn't easy compared to a positive, intelligent challenge which might impact on social behaviour ?

[marjoram_blues]

There are other options than ignoring or shooting, yes?
Some direct challenges have been shown to change behaviour for the better.

One recent example was Mary Beard's challenge and eventual befriending of a vile internet troll:
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/j ... tter-abuse
http://timesonline.typepad.com/dons_lif ... -fury.html

Sometimes it is worth it. Rather than take the easy ignore option.

HC wrote: I met Mary back in 95 when the Classics Society Annual Conference came to my University. She was warm and friendly to everyone she met, and despite her vaulted position in the world of Ancient History, was kind to all the staff and students.
If any one is a "cnnt" then it's the idiot that thinks that a grey-haired woman is not capable of contributing to a TV program.
Ignorance and stupidity fears the wise and generous. And that is what Mary is all about

.

Thanks for that,HC. Unfortunately, I have never met her. That there would be more like her who would stand up in the way she did...
it takes guts.

[Sorry I seem to have made a mess of the quotes and who said what...anyone following will know, hopefully...]

[Ned]

"Rather than take the easy ignore option."

"Easy"?

HA!

When I was teaching in college, I always told my first-year students that attendance wasn't compulsory. "Your final mark will depend only on one thing: how well you know your subject at the end of the semester. This is not high school, you are here because you want to learn. I am not your father and I am not your mother, I am your teacher and I will bend over backward to help you learn and understand. But I am not going to fight you for it".

I worked 16 hours a day, going through test papers, trying to see what they did not understand and making extensive comments to help them see their mistakes. No multiple-choice tests ever!

One student who had a serious behaviour problem kept showing up in class to disrupt the lecture. I kept throwing him out. Before final exam he asked: "maybe I shouldn't bother to show up?" I repeated what I had told at the beginning of the semester: "Your final mark will depend only on one thing: how well you know your subject at the end of the semester". He was a very smart kid, knew it inside out, so he ended up with an A+

I am not a psychiatrist, a counselor, a social worker, trying to solve people's psychological problems. I couldn't even if I tried. I am a theoretical physicist and have no problem understanding the mysteries of nature.

Mysteries of the human mind is beyond me (that is why I started this thread).

As I said earlier: life (my life) is too short to waste on malicious idiots. Even on malicious geniuses.

Let others who are talented in this area do it, I salute them if they succeed.

If you want to talk to me, present your arguments in a clear, logical manner, and I will answer in kind. It doesn't matter if we disagree, we can work on it and see if we can find common ground.

However, leave the malice out of it: obscenity, vulgarity, personal insults, name calling, slurs, etc. At the first sign of any of it, into my ignore list you go and I will never see another thing you wrote on this forum (unless quoted by somebody I do read).

So much for the easy option.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

Several people have answered your OP, including me, but you don't seem to be terribly interested in the answers-- just blocking everyone in sight (or saying you are).

[Ned]

Several people have answered your OP, including me, but you don't seem to be terribly interested in the answers-- just blocking everyone in sight (or saying you are).

That is quite untrue.

Read through the entire thread and see how I responded to anyone who posted meaningful comments (except those who were already in my ignore list).

[Ned]

PS. If you are currently in my ignore list, but would like to talk to me again, send me a PM indicating that you are willing to accept my conditions for communication.

I am willing to try if you are.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

PS. If you are currently in my ignore list, but would like to talk to me again, send me a PM indicating that you are willing to accept my conditions for communication.

I am willing to try if you are.

You don't even know who's in your ignore list??? I'm starting to think you are just a troll.

[henry quirk]

"There you go with your *shrugs* and your 'HA!'s again. Some things never change, eh Hennery ?"

If it ain't broke...*shrug*

#

'Profit', in context, means 'benefit'. Beard saw a benefit to engaging...as I say: good on her.

#

"...impact on social behaviour ?"

Not my job (or my inclination).

[henry quirk]

As for the 'ease' of ignoring, sumthin' I wrote for another forum, another thread, has bearing...

Seems to me: if each one just minded his/her own businesses and kept his/her hands to him-/her-self, every one would be a lot better off.

As it is: a body has to make a crowbar (or its equivalent) part of its daily attire (simply cuz motherfuckers will not leave one be).

*Ignoring folks who don't want to be ignored ain't easy.









*in-forum is easy-peasy; in real life, a lot harder.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

If I was on your 'ignore' list, you wouldn't be able to see what I write (unless you are signing out and having sneaky peeks at your threads )

[marjoram_blues]

"There you go with your *shrugs* and your 'HA!'s again. Some things never change, eh Hennery ?"

If it ain't broke...*shrug*

#

'Profit', in context, means 'benefit'. Beard saw a benefit to engaging...as I say: good on her.

#

"...impact on social behaviour ?"

Not my job (or my inclination).

Yes, I know your working philosophy already *shrugs*
Just as well there are some who engage - directly and personally - with so-called mindless, hating foes to enlighten them as to the effects of their actions, with an aim to teach what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Benefits, as you know, come with costs - time, energy and effort. Some intangible. I doubt Mary Beard did a cost/benefit analysis. She did what she thought was right and put effort into it; despite having a host of other activities. It might not have produced the desired results - but others watched her example and applauded the outcome.

Ned talks of not having the time, a 'cost'. He also states somewhere...it is a form of self-defence, to ignore rather than engage. That's fine. Unfortunately, this mechanism which works for him - seems more of an unpleasant and divisive attack.
Also, one person acting 'mindlessly', according to his definition, may have much to offer to others and in other areas of the forum. To place anyone on a 'foes' list, and then tell them and others about it, is remarkably short-sighted. It really doesn't work, anyway. It simply alienates.