(no subject)
I recently read Paul's take on enemy acquisition and have put much consideration into what he posits. He concludes with: "I insist that having the right enemies is crucial to finding one's place in the world. After all, self-definition must be a pre-requisite for self-actualization. Find the right enemy and you really find yourself."
Being inept, I can't tell for certain whether he's being facetious or not, but regardless of how genuine this statement may be, I take it to heart. This is because I'm a person of extreme ire, and have always found it difficult to acclimate myself to things that are foreign and even mildly displeasing. But it isn't that I'm critical, negative, cynical, or xenophobic. I'm simply me.
Across my right cheek there's a scar, albeit almost indiscernible, which I recieved at age three during a bitter argument over sink access at daycare. Don't take me for a brute, for it rarely comes to blows and this was instigated entirely by the other girl, but the fact remains that I was persistent enough to illicit a violent reaction.
It has always been this way.
In junior high school I briefly embraced excessive tolerance and sang froid (at this time I was also reading books on Wicca), but the facade quickly collapsed when I broke up with my boyfriend and he developed an interest in a wide-faced bitch who spoke in annoying non sequitur. I have not, since this episode, even once lapsed back into affected magnanimity, nor do I intend to ever do so again.
Why should anyone deny themselves the pleasure of contempt? It's far more than just an indulgent and petty expression of disdain. It is an exercise in structuring yourself. I am of the opinion that concepts are inherently represented by people and their actions, so if something appears unjust, why should one not speak out against the individual characterising it? My enemies, according to my values, are all abominations. Ignorant, vile, baneful morons who subscribe to regressive worldviews and deserve opprobrium.
Incidentally, despite my irrepressible rancor, I have terrific blood pressure and plenty of friends and acquaintances with whom I can freely banter. I simply enjoy some light seething and fixating now and again. Were I to abide every affront with aplomb, I would be a complacent and negligible wimp, probably the first one eaten in the event of extreme famine. Who wants to be this person?
So as Paul did before me, I'd like to give gratitude to everyone I've ever despised, from Tiffany Apostolo in kindergarten (who eventually became my friend, moved back to Greece, and made me the proud namesake of her pet rabbit) to the dumb, piddly little hick who sits behind me in class: thank you for serving as conduits for my personal growth and development.
Being inept, I can't tell for certain whether he's being facetious or not, but regardless of how genuine this statement may be, I take it to heart. This is because I'm a person of extreme ire, and have always found it difficult to acclimate myself to things that are foreign and even mildly displeasing. But it isn't that I'm critical, negative, cynical, or xenophobic. I'm simply me.
Across my right cheek there's a scar, albeit almost indiscernible, which I recieved at age three during a bitter argument over sink access at daycare. Don't take me for a brute, for it rarely comes to blows and this was instigated entirely by the other girl, but the fact remains that I was persistent enough to illicit a violent reaction.
It has always been this way.
In junior high school I briefly embraced excessive tolerance and sang froid (at this time I was also reading books on Wicca), but the facade quickly collapsed when I broke up with my boyfriend and he developed an interest in a wide-faced bitch who spoke in annoying non sequitur. I have not, since this episode, even once lapsed back into affected magnanimity, nor do I intend to ever do so again.
Why should anyone deny themselves the pleasure of contempt? It's far more than just an indulgent and petty expression of disdain. It is an exercise in structuring yourself. I am of the opinion that concepts are inherently represented by people and their actions, so if something appears unjust, why should one not speak out against the individual characterising it? My enemies, according to my values, are all abominations. Ignorant, vile, baneful morons who subscribe to regressive worldviews and deserve opprobrium.
Incidentally, despite my irrepressible rancor, I have terrific blood pressure and plenty of friends and acquaintances with whom I can freely banter. I simply enjoy some light seething and fixating now and again. Were I to abide every affront with aplomb, I would be a complacent and negligible wimp, probably the first one eaten in the event of extreme famine. Who wants to be this person?
So as Paul did before me, I'd like to give gratitude to everyone I've ever despised, from Tiffany Apostolo in kindergarten (who eventually became my friend, moved back to Greece, and made me the proud namesake of her pet rabbit) to the dumb, piddly little hick who sits behind me in class: thank you for serving as conduits for my personal growth and development.