The Kindness of Strangers

[dyvinesweetness]

I think that people tend to drastically underestimate the honesty and integrity of people in general, including themselves. I think people are naturally "good" and that social circumstances are what prevents the inherent "goodness" from coming through. And my forgetful oblivious ass is full of great examples that reveal this

Comments

[beginnings_end]

Well it's good to know people look out for each other. I've been mugged (it was in Pittsburgh, before I moved to NY) so I can honestly say, it's better to be safe than sorry. You never think it can happen to you, but there are truly bad people in the world.

[dyvinesweetness]

Oh, don't let my perspective make you think I'm not generally cautious. I am. I just thought it was interesting that people assume the worst when my general experience has been that people are good natured. And again someone took my debit card number and charged wild fees just about a month ago, so I know that people are still capable of underhanded things. I just believe overall that people are decent and that external factors make it difficult to act on that natural "goodness." It's unfortunate what happened to you.

[dyvinesweetness]

Perhaps you should kiss my ass.

Remember When We First Met?

[lovelylind]

I came to visit you, and I went to your apt number......but the wrong building? And the lady who answered was on the phone, and she told the person, "Oh don't worry.. she looks like a nice, church girl." lol

That might be where that student loan check went. But, thankfully, it was returned to you.

Your next gift from me will be a purse to keep your wallet in... or maybe that's not a good idea. lol

Re: Remember When We First Met?

[dyvinesweetness]

Oh, no it didn't go to that lady. It went to a building down my block. In the housing complex across from me. But yeah, I'm really glad the person sent it back to me.

What's funny is the wallet is so big that I would've NEVER thought I'd lose it! I'm still trynna figure out how it got out of my bag w/o me knowing!

[moneda]

Hhhmm, I've grown into the idea that people are inherently bad. I think we're nurtured to repress our more basic desire to exploit situations that may benefit ourselves if we know it'll be a detriment to another.

[dyvinesweetness]

But are our basic desires "evil?" I don't think they are. Yeah, our instincts are to preserve ourselves so they are self-serving, but that doesn't make them bad.

It would seem to me that believing people are bad would conflict with your anarchist beliefs. But maybe I'm not fully understanding you?

[moneda]

What is good or bad is relative to the leanings of the society, but in our current age I think that because our basic instincts would lead one to self-sustaining to the detriment of another I consider 'em "evil." Not the inclination for self-preservation, the inclination to not preserve other human beings. I don't believe that contradicts my anarchist leanings.