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Alwye
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Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850
In the space between moments

0 posted 2001-02-27 10:44 PM


Scream? *AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHH* *ahem* Thank you very much....I needed that. So, can anyone tell me why people have to be so cruel to one another? *shaking head at the meanness of the world*

*Krista Knutson*

I'm a slow dying flower
In a frost-killing hour
The sweet turning sour and untouchable...
-Natalie Merchant

© Copyright 2001 Krista Botterill - All Rights Reserved
Alicat
Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094
Coastal Texas
1 posted 2001-02-27 10:51 PM


Well, without dark dismal days, how can one better appreciate the bright sunny ones?

Also, and I know noone wants to hear this one, dealing with such imbecilic, antagonistic, anal-retentative, social deviants builds character.

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
2 posted 2001-02-28 12:33 PM


I think some people are mean on purpose. It gives them a sense of power - maybe they are really weak and don't have any power in their lives so they find a way to get it by being mean.

Some people are raised by people who are mean - they were raised that way too - it a perpetuation of meanness. They don't know any better - it's not an excuse but perhaps a reason.

I would like to think that people aren't mean just to be mean - for the thrill of seeing someone weaker being hurt either physically or emotionally. But, I guess you'll all tell me I'm wrong.

Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
3 posted 2001-02-28 02:25 AM


I'm afraid that in order to answer this question, I need a more precise definition of "mean."

If you refer to the tendency to center one's actions about the goal of furthering one's self-interest, I'm afraid you've hit upon the primal survival instinct. Yes folks, we still are animals, and will follow our instincts if not consciously striving to do otherwise.

Fortunately, one of the very things that make us unique as a species is our ability to ignore or overpower our selfish instincts, thereby sacrificing some portion of our own self-aggrandization to serve the needs of some "greater good." Ideally, the beneficiary of this sacrifice is society as a whole; one person's gift helps another, or several others, and they feel compelled to reciprocate with their own sacrifice. Everyone's happy, la-la-la ....

Problem is, there's still those instincts pecking at our morality. Then there's the general degradation of society as a whole; most often perpetuated by those in power (read: those with money). So the norm shifts back to selfish ... to violence, perhaps. We are bombarded with it every day -- TV, music, even on the streets. Our governments are so busy squabbling with one another over this bit of land or that field of oil that they don't see the damage being sown right under their noses.

Um ... I just realized I went off on a major tangent here but I really don't feel like editing so ... welcome to my madness.

Linda


Acies
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-07
Posts 7665
Twilight Zone
4 posted 2001-02-28 09:55 AM


I agree with Ali

How can you appreciate a beautiful day when you don't know what an ugly day is?

How can you know what happiness means when you don't know what it means to be sad?

What I do is, I just use those mean people to appreciate the nice ones. I do it with friends too.

"So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this give life to thee." W.S.

inot2B
Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205
Arkansas
5 posted 2001-02-28 10:52 AM


I have to agree with Poet deVine.

People are mean because they enjoy seeing others hurt.
I remember a man who use to think it was funny to twist his daughters arm till she said Uncle, and she always said Uncle, but only after tears. He called it a game, you tell me what it was!

Dopey Dope
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Patricius
since 2000-08-30
Posts 11132
San Juan, Puerto Rico
6 posted 2001-02-28 01:39 PM


I woulda said uncle once he grabbed my arm!

but mean people.......I don't like those kind.



I was born myself, raised myself, and will continue to be myself. The world will just have to adjust.

I'm in love with my shadow
I admire it daily

inot2B
Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205
Arkansas
7 posted 2001-02-28 03:54 PM


I always thought he would stop before he made me cry. When you're young you believe in miracles.
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
8 posted 2001-02-28 04:01 PM


That's not mean..that's child abuse!!!
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