Its easy to be offended by anything. Harder to understand the intent.
That is the greatest statement of statements ever made. People rarely look at intent, just what is offensive to their own self's. I've found that the internet is the most offended space in the World. Its just so many different cultures interacting that someone is bound to be offended.
The question of intent was the whole point of my remark, as it was not about me being possibly offended. I did not make this up or read it somewhere on the internet. As Bakker points out, ignorance is blind. You need to take a closer look before you come up with ill-informed conclusions.
I'm sorry if you thought my post was aimed at you, it was not. I just think Wilshire made a great observation. And, then said it's what I see on the internet all the time. People are quick to be offended, quick to make assumptions. Especially now with these elections, I see a lot of this on Facebook. And it's sad, seeing life long friends judging each other over which candidate they support. Then, the ensuing name-calling of racist, bigot and on and on. Even me writing this post is an example of the conclusion you drew upon my post. I've always found it very hard to convey what I'm feeling or thinking over text, or on these forums. Guess I am just ill-suited to the task. I do prefer face to face communication over text or even on the phone. As I feel a lot can be lost in translation when you don't see non-verbal cues.
Anyhow, back to Wilshire's statement, it's what I feel is truly wrong in this world. Everyone seems to want to be offended or feel wronged in some way. Just look at your Facebook and tell me If what you see is mostly negative or positive. I know what I see, negativity, an unwillingness to work through problems and create a better world. I see division everywhere anymore and it's sad, very sad.
Look, I absolutely agree with you that real life, face to face communication is always preferable than communication via machines. And I agree that division is unfortunately indeed the tenor of the time.
Within the context of this thread, I thought that your comment was aimed at what I had written. Which was misconstrued, as I tried to point out later. And it seems like it still is. Referring to aliens as contributing to building the pyramids is in itself a loaded line of thought, whether one is aware of it or not. I assumed that on a Bakker forum people would be cognizant of the perennial problem of unseen biases, but, as stated, ignorance is blind. This was the sole point I was making. Apparently it was in need of more explanation, to clarify that I do not feel offended or that this was for me not about political correctness or anything.
So yes, real life trumps (...) online communication.
As for Wilshire's statement and your, ahem, rather high praise, I beg to differ. It's not a false statement, per se. However, I feel the need to push against it, as it is a statement that does not display a great deal of self-reflection. To me it reads as containing too much self-justification, if I push it to an extreme, it can seem to negate personal responsibility or agency. As if you're saying, "it's your problem that your are feeling offended."
Yes, the elections are a prime example of the bizarre behavior you describe. Granted, there is a lot of anger going around, and people withdraw behind their own walls and feel the need to defend at the slightest (perceived) intrusion.
Still, what I am trying to get at, what I am missing in the statement (and this could be just me), is a recognition/awareness of the other. A willingness to listen, to listen to points of view that do not agree with your own, a willingness to have a sincere conversation. To make an effort to explain your intent, if the other doesn't seem to understand yours. The first reaction is too often, (I'm exaggerating) "...so stupid that you cannot understand my intent..." - a very human reaction -, instead of thinking, "hmmm, how can I better explain my intent." Which I feel is required, and would help contribute people being able to work through their problems together.
Show Posts
