There's a lot of preaching going on in here. A lot of assumption of views without knowledge of the individuals. There's people taking the written word as it sits on the page yet expecting their written words to be taken with a wider view.
Off Topic Politics Thread
- Thread starter ChilcoSaint
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Be careful Archers, you'll be accused of sitting in a certain political/social/religious group next.
I agree with you. It is something that I like to try and do myself yet you see too little of it these days.
I've tried to smile at stressed people in supermarket checkouts as a small contribution to human kindness. My wife thinks I'm going to be arrested if I keep it up. Observing the public in such situations is an eye opener. My generation and older are a miserable bunch on the whole, makes me wonder how you can go through a day being so unhappy. I reserve special ire for the couple who steal the cafe's papers EVERY day, meanies.
The saddest thing is talking to the carpark car cleaners yesterday, all Polish I think, it looks like they may have to pack it in. Less custom, more verbal abuse, the supermarket manager is getting nervous. Shame, apart from anything else they always keep an eye on the bike for me while I shop.
The idea of charity is lovely, don't get me wrong. It's rightfully commendable. But very few people are charitable for the sake of being charitable, most people do it for their own self worth. To feel a sense of moral self importance. So the act of charity is a selfish one if you look at it in that respect.
The idea of putting strangers before yourself is a kind of paradox because human nature and instinct just doesn't allow that to happen. As much as it sounds evil and morally wrong, humans are animals and as animals, self preservation is top of the agenda. The liberal society we live in has schooled us wrongly into thinking otherwise.
The idea of putting strangers before yourself is a kind of paradox because human nature and instinct just doesn't allow that to happen. As much as it sounds evil and morally wrong, humans are animals and as animals, self preservation is top of the agenda. The liberal society we live in has schooled us wrongly into thinking otherwise.
Wow. Really? There is so much in what you have posted here that goes against my being.
Use of the word "charitable" for a start. How about it is just be kind, polite, nice? Charitable suggests there is a need.
A smile (like greensaint), a "good morning," a holding open of a door, the offering of a seat... There is nothing charitable about that. It is just being polite or friendly.
I find it offensive that you'd think me being kind or friendly is just me doing something for my own self worth.
Shocking.
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Greensaint, I like people like you seem to be. My wife thinks I'm nuts like that too.
Here's a paradox for you; try a random act of kindness today, just for the sake of it. It'll probably make you feel better, which means your unselfish act has just had a selfish benefit. Everybody wins.
The occasional ability to overcome our base instincts is what elevates us above animals.
Sorry, I've gone a bit hippy today. Tomorrow I'll be back to my belligerent opinionated self I expect. Meantime, in the words of Jules in the final scene of Pulp Fiction, "I'm trying, Ringo. I'm really trying".
This week at Heathrow I was sat in a coffee shop at a large corner table waiting to collect a colleague. I was working on my lap top and I could see a large family gathering (8-10 people) just outside the cafe as members came through arrivals. After a few minutes, they started to move into the cafe clearly waiting for other family/friends. They started to move chairs around the smallest of tables (2 person table max), so I offered them the much larger table I was at. They appeared shocked that I'd do it and couldn't stop thanking me, even telling other family members as they arrived and thanking me again. I hadn't done anything grand or medal deserving, just moved across one table to free up the larger one; common sense really.
I don't know why they were so grateful (they really were over the top in continuing the thanks). I don't know if it was because people just don't do that stuff much anymore and society is getting ruder, or because they were Indian and didn't expect a white guy to do that. Who wouldn't do it?
I hadn't realised that they were probably just thinking what a selfish, full of self importance, bastard I am.
Life is going nuts.
I don't know why they were so grateful (they really were over the top in continuing the thanks). I don't know if it was because people just don't do that stuff much anymore and society is getting ruder, or because they were Indian and didn't expect a white guy to do that. Who wouldn't do it?
I hadn't realised that they were probably just thinking what a selfish, full of self importance, bastard I am.
Life is going nuts.
I've never considered myself a hippy type Archers, but can I come round and look at pretty flowers with you?
Wish I still had hair to put a flower in. If I ever go to San Francisco I'll have to wear a hat.I was a frustrated hippy fats. My generation had to settle for punk rock; missed out on all the free love too.
I was a frustrated hippy fats. My generation had to settle for punk rock; missed out on all the free love too.
I think you should start with a new pair of sandals.
I think you have missed my point. Ask yourself why did you really carry out this act of kindness? Look further inside your mind, your psyche. How did it make you feel that these people were very grateful? I assume it made you feel good about yourself.This week at Heathrow I was sat in a coffee shop at a large corner table waiting to collect a colleague. I was working on my lap top and I could see a large family gathering (8-10 people) just outside the cafe as members came through arrivals. After a few minutes, they started to move into the cafe clearly waiting for other family/friends. They started to move chairs around the smallest of tables (2 person table max), so I offered them the much larger table I was at. They appeared shocked that I'd do it and couldn't stop thanking me, even telling other family members as they arrived and thanking me again. I hadn't done anything grand or medal deserving, just moved across one table to free up the larger one; common sense really.
I don't know why they were so grateful (they really were over the top in continuing the thanks). I don't know if it was because people just don't do that stuff much anymore and society is getting ruder, or because they were Indian and didn't expect a white guy to do that. Who wouldn't do it?
I hadn't realised that they were probably just thinking what a selfish, full of self importance, bastard I am.
Life is going nuts.
In order to obtain that feeling, you have carried out an act of kindness. Therefore, your act of kindness at its most basic and fundamental level was for your psychological benefit over everything else. I know that may sound offensive and judgemental on my part and I apologise as it's difficult to soften it up. I assure you, I am merely pointing out the science behind why we as humans do the things we do. I hope you understand where I'm coming from.
You really are over-analysing for the sake of your own political agenda. The fact is, that whenever we see a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, or a random accident that involves more than a small group, individuals step completely outside of the self-interest box and start behaving as part of a community WITHOUT THINKING. People often voluntarily give up their lives for others in wartime, and in times of catastrophe. We obviously can't ask them why, but I would guess they're not doing it so they feel good about themselves, apart from maybe in the last seconds as their life slips away. I expect you will dismiss my point as the ramblings of a liberal lefty, as you do any point that doesn't fit your view of life, but you only have to study what actually happens to people in times of trouble to see the truth in what I'm saying.
It matters what you do, far more than it matters why you do it. Better to do someone a kindness for suspect motives than do them harm for noble ones.
Ta, but i'm really not that nice! In fact I was in real danger of becoming one of those bitter grumps but a combination of retirement, love of a good women and promotion back to the Premier League saved me.
In truth i also really benefited from some solution focused therapy courtesy of the NHS, something that sadly I think I'd not be able to access now in these 'target' led times. One of the problems of being a psychiatric nurse is you can lose perspective and insight on your own behaviour. A bit similar to being Secretary of State for Health only (hopefully) a tad less arrogant.
Wow,not everything I do is for my own gratification,sure it sometimes leaves a warm feeling,but sometimes its just to help others.Science pah!
My view is that we act in part because we are tribal beings. An act of kindness benefits the tribe. The politics of kindness kick in when each of us try to identify which tribe we are in. Clearly, this message board is tribal in that we all support Saints. However prejudices will induce tribal differences, being kind to those whom we might consider as being part of 'our tribe' promotes peaceful co-existence. How large is the tribe? Am I just a family man. Am I a Saints fan? A Hampshire Cricket Supporter? An English or British Patriot? A European? or just a Human Being trying to live a life according to my conscience? I like to think I am just a human being... A hedonist with a conscience. Right, I'm going to put my English Tribal Coat on and watch the Test Match.
Just to clarify, I am not suggesting being kind and being charitable is anything but a very good thing.
Don't worry. You're with Voltaire (no xenophobe he) on this one; both in your right to think independently and in "cultivating your own garden."
As for LGBT people wanting to emphasise the LGBT aspect of an attack, that's all well and good. The problem lies with the likes of Jones having a strop because other people might not see this as the main or only issue.
The same applies to the Black Lives Matter. They may well have an issue with general policing of black suspects, but research shows that, in the US per capita, white suspects are more likely to get killed by the cops during arrest than black ones. It's one thing getting more upset if someone you identify with gets hurt, it's another advocating changes in policy to meet your own interests.
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