[OT] What is WRONG with people?

[ColonelHardisson]

I think some of it may have to do with too many people being brought up to believe that they are a precious, unique flower, that the world revolves around them and everyone and everything else in it is there for their amusement.

Some of it may also have to do with people feeling like they have no power over their own lives (maybe because the reality that they aren't a precious, unique flower has set in?) and want to at least gain the illusion of power - "hey - I can screw up this person's life for a while! You see this on the internet all the time; people feel they can flame others or talk tough, or jerk others around, simply because the anonymity of the internet allows it to happen. Sure it's cowardly; it's one thing to be combative with someone on the other side of the world; it's another to do it to someone's face. Your example points this out; someone is lost, so get them even more lost - hey, they can't find you! Just plain cowardice, a sign that the person feels they have no control in life.

It's stuff like this that makes me hope that karma really does exist.

 

[Walter_J]

Well, I work as a Hazardous Materials Manager (which basically covers 90%+ of health and safety)on the main campus of a local hospital attached to a Risk Managers office (everybody know what a risk manager does?) Before my mother passed away on Sept. 1, I always fought the urge to slip into that "people are morons" attitude. Its just to easy in my line of work. I mean, if the phone rings for me, it ain't good, and if you seem me comin', start prayin. I'm only in the office 2 1/2 days a week. Anymore, at least once a day I look out the window and say "What the heck is wrong with you people?" The issues I'm involved in, the things I see, reports that come across my desk... either people just don't have any common sense or they don't care... I don't know what the answer.

Two quick stories, both regarding the misuse of the same product and I'll end on a humorus note.

One case I was involved in, a gentlemen had received chemical burns from crotch to toe from a product known as "Glug" which is a drain opener. Did this happen because of some oversight, neglect, or othe fault of the hospitals? Nope. The guy just didn't read, or if he did, obey the directions. (Hint: Don't use a plunger with Glug!)

There was another case of a group of nurses, all female, showing up in Employee Health each with a mysterious and painful "rash" on their butt. It wasn't a rash. It was chemical burn. The toilet had been clogged and when the maintenance worker had unclogged it (using Glug) he/she didn't wipe the seat off!

Here ends my vent for the morning.

 

[Number47]

I partly blame advertising and media in general. In America (elsewhere too, but America especially), the corporate machine is run by consumerism. The base of consumerism is getting people to buy your product. How? By instilling in them a lack of self-confidence, a lack of self-image. Does anybody really need an expensive, gas-guzzling, polluting SUV? Or is everyone driving one because they somehow think it makes them a better or more desirable person? Do any of the sugar-water drinks out there do anything for you? Why do you spend $100 on shoes that are no different than any other shoes?

Carefully watch television. Everybody on it is smarter than you, thinner than you, funnier than you, better looking than you and has sex all the time. The constant images make many people think that they aren't as good as people on TV. Just remember that those people aren't real.

Next time you go to buy something, anything, ask yourself Why in the hell do I want this thing?

Now you can begin to understand why some people are complete asses. Because they've grown up in an atmosphere that makes them feel worthless.

 

[Quickbeam]

First off, I agree with the good Colonel, and pray that karma really does exist. Goodness knows there's no shortage of people who need a healthy dose of the crap they dole out every day.

As for "why?" it's really quite simple:
Too many people today just plain suck at their core. Whether it's poor family values; or being brought up to believe they're special; or not being held accountable for their actions; or belonging to a society of strangers; or failing to mature beyond the 8th grade; or some other horsesh*t reason.

I love confronting these blights on our existence whenever I'm presented with the opportunity. Whether it's screaming parents at a youth sporting event; or people who cut you off on the road; or impatient twits who berate the world around them; or morons who get their kicks out of being rude to waiters/janitors/or those less fortunate. I challenge them all. My wife (and some of my friends) hate when I do this, and fear that it may lead to fights...which it may. But I can't stand watching someone treat another person poorly for no good reason. Hopefully God continues to watch my back as I take these losers to task .

 

[Holy Bovine]

First off, I agree with the good Colonel, and pray that karma really does exist. Goodness knows there's no shortage of people who need a healthy dose of the crap they dole out every day.

As for "why?" it's really quite simple:
Too many people today just plain suck at their core. Whether it's poor family values; or being brought up to believe they're special; or not being held accountable for their actions; or belonging to a society of strangers; or failing to mature beyond the 8th grade; or some other horsesh*t reason.

I love confronting these blights on our existence whenever I'm presented with the opportunity. Whether it's screaming parents at a youth sporting event; or people who cut you off on the road; or impatient twits who berate the world around them; or morons who get their kicks out of being rude to waiters/janitors/or those less fortunate. I challenge them all. My wife (and some of my friends) hate when I do this, and fear that it may lead to fights...which it may. But I can't stand watching someone treat another person poorly for no good reason. Hopefully God continues to watch my back as I take these losers to task .

Quickbeam, if I ever meet you in person, I would consider it a singular honour to shake your hand. Often I see these people in real life (mostly at my job it seems; until recently I worked as a sales associate for Lenscrafters) but I rarely confront them about thier behaviour. Beyond the obvious reason like if I did so at my job I would be fired I also find that it takes a great deal of courage to confront strangers about crappy behaviour/attitudes.

Keep fightin' the good fight QB!

 

[R.X.DIEM]

Karma

The wheel of Karma spins for all of us at all times! That doesn't mean that we should just roll over and let everybody do what they want to everyone else! Sometimes we have to take an active roll in it. Sometime we have to participate in the dealings of Karma. Not acting on a wrong, and knowing that a wrong has occured, is in part the same as doing a wrong. We are all apart of it. That doesn't mean running around to catching bad guys. But that does mean not turning a blind eye to things and justify it by saying that bad karma will return to those who do wrong. In allowing bad to happen to somebody else you inccur your own "bad karma". And that's the bottom line!

 

[Napftor]

Quickbeam, if I ever meet you in person, I would consider it a singular honour to shake your hand. Often I see these people in real life (mostly at my job it seems; until recently I worked as a sales associate for Lenscrafters) but I rarely confront them about thier behaviour. Beyond the obvious reason like if I did so at my job I would be fired I also find that it takes a great deal of courage to confront strangers about crappy behaviour/attitudes.

Keep fightin' the good fight QB!

I'm with the Holy Bovine on this as well (never thought I'd ever type a phrase like that). And should God happen to blink while you're defending someone, hopefully one of the people you've rubbed off on will be there.

 

[LordMelkor{Talos}]

These guys were a good example of evil alignment- having fun in harming others! Evil rules!

 

[Rashak Mani]

Here in Brazil we tend to be more mild mannered and so "getting ahead" of others isnt so strong or important... even then we do see some bad manners. More lack of education or consciosness.

Outside Brazil thou and especially in non french europe most people were very nice and helpful always. I suppose its how you approach people. Londoners by far were the most helpful and polite...

Havent been to the US recently to say... but New York did have a reputation for not caring for the guy next to you. People basically ignoring completely others. Dont know how the New Yorkers are now after attacks...

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Re: Karma

The wheel of Karma spins for all of us at all times! That doesn't mean that we should just roll over and let everybody do what they want to everyone else! Sometimes we have to take an active roll in it. Sometime we have to participate in the dealings of Karma. Not acting on a wrong, and knowing that a wrong has occured, is in part the same as doing a wrong. We are all apart of it. That doesn't mean running around to catching bad guys. But that does mean not turning a blind eye to things and justify it by saying that bad karma will return to those who do wrong. In allowing bad to happen to somebody else you inccur your own "bad karma". And that's the bottom line!

No one was suggesting that we simply roll over and let karma do all the work. What I was specifically discussing was the anonymous jackass, the dimwit who does something knowing that no repercussions will come of it - like flaming or insulting/condescending to people on the internet.

Speaking of which, the internet is ample illustration that the rise of the jackass isn't just a problem here in the US...