The "I Didn't Comment in Another Thread" Thread

[trappedslider]

Not about this site.

If you label all the positive ways to talk about things as “toxic positivity” and ban them, then it’s no wonder your community is drowning in negativity.

oh you're on some of the gaming reddits too?

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Not about this site.

If you label all the positive ways to talk about things as “toxic positivity” and ban them, then it’s no wonder your community is drowning in negativity.

I mean, toxic positivity?

What even is that?

Look, I know that we are all annoyed by that one chipper co-worker who just won't stop talking about how awesome the weather is before you've even had your sixth cup of espresso, but still ... that's just annoying, not toxic.

 

[Umbran]

I mean, toxic positivity?

What even is that?

In short, it is pressure to show only positive emotions, suppressing negative feelings or experiences. It can place stigma on, or blame people for, depression and anxiety.

You know the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin? Toxic positivity.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

In short, it is pressure to show only positive emotions, suppressing negative feelings or experiences. It can place stigma on, or blame people for, depression and anxiety.

You know the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin? Toxic positivity.

Well, that song is just annoying. Poor Bobby McFerrin, the guy is a musical genius, and yet that is what he is remembered for.

At a certain point, you have to wonder if people spend too much time labeling, and not enough time on substance. While I certainly know and understand the power of words and language, I sometimes feel like we've gone a little far calling things toxic, or referring to nearly everything as gaslighting.

Oh well, things change.

 

[overgeeked]

Right. There is a spectrum and most of the world lives somewhere along it. Some good, some bad, some indifferent, some mixed between those, etc. Only good vibes or No bad vibes, is toxic positivity. Likewise, Only bad vibes or No good vibes, would be equally toxic negativity.

So if you label even the mildest positivity as toxic, you’ve poisoned your community, basically.

 

[Guest 85555]

Well, that song is just annoying. Poor Bobby McFerrin, the guy is a musical genius, and yet that is what he is remembered for.

And all he wanted was for people to be happy

At a certain point, you have to wonder if people spend too much time labeling, and not enough time on substance. While I certainly know and understand the power of words and language, I sometimes feel like we've gone a little far calling things toxic, or referring to nearly everything as gaslighting.

Oh well, things change.

I think we have adopted far too many terms from therapy and applied them casually to society and culture. Some of these terms work well in the context of ongoing therapy sessions, but the way we flippantly label things with this kind of language, I think it doesn't usually diagnose what is really going on

 

[Thomas Shey]

I mean, toxic positivity?

What even is that?

In the context I've seen it before, its when people are aggressively positive about something in attempt to drown out any criticism. Its one of those things I think has a high bar before I buy it.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

And all he wanted was for people to be happy

He wanted to be able to pay for a career as a jazz musician and doing a one-off pop album seemed like a great idea. It definitely paid off financially, but it wildly derailed his artistic life and not in a way he's been happy about. He's a serious musician who will be remembered for a novelty song that was just supposed to be a goof.

 

[Umbran]

Well, that song is just annoying. Poor Bobby McFerrin, the guy is a musical genius, and yet that is what he is remembered for.

Sure. But have you thought about the actual lyrics?

Spoiler: Excerpt of song lyrics

Here's a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry, you make it double
Don't worry, be happy...

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy...

Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got no gal to make you smile
But don't worry, be happy
'Cause when you worry your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy...

So - you are broke, homeless, alone, and may be taken to court, but dude, you are such a drag, we need you to lighten up! A person who has good reason to feel bad is being told their feelings on the matter are not acceptable.

Consider that in the context of someone who is bad off and already having moments of suicidal ideation....

At a certain point, you have to wonder if people spend too much time labeling, and not enough time on substance.

I'm not sure what that that means. Most toxic things don't seem like a big deal on their own, and may even be god things, until you consider the context or dose that's being applied.

Like, if you have a mosquito bite, a little hydrocortisone cream on the skin is useful - but don't freaking swallow the tube of the stuff - that's toxic.

While I certainly know and understand the power of words and language, I sometimes feel like we've gone a little far calling things toxic, or referring to nearly everything as gaslighting.

Yes, well, I would not consider the misuse of a term to be a problem in the term, but in the users.

Like, my wife has complex PTSD. I know what "triggering" actually means, I have seen it happen. I know the impact of it. It isn't used properly by most people. That's not an issue with the concept of triggering, it is an issue with people being lazily ignorant.

 

[RealAlHazred]

Like, if you have a mosquito bite, a little hydrocortisone cream on the skin is useful - but don't freaking swallow the tube of the stuff - that's toxic.

Where were you when all those people were taking animal anti-parasite pills like they were Pez?