Outcast Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Everybody knows how awful it feels to be left out. To be unwanted. To be disliked for silly or unfair reasons. I doubt there's a human alive who hasn't experienced that at least once. So why do people do this? I'm not talking about breakups. I'm talking about prejudice, bigotry, hatred. Why do to others what was so painful when done to you? Can anyone explain? Link to post Share on other sites
Pyro Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Everybody knows how awful it feels to be left out. To be unwanted. To be disliked for silly or unfair reasons. I doubt there's a human alive who hasn't experienced that at least once. So why do people do this? I'm not talking about breakups. I'm talking about prejudice, bigotry, hatred. Why do to others what was so painful when done to you? Can anyone explain? Thats part of this imperfect world. I can't stand it. Selfishness, hatred, lack of empathy, all over the place. Alot of people are very close minded and refuse to open their eyes and mind to others who are different then them. It is a shame. Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 It's mostly fear. It's not that hard to understand. Link to post Share on other sites
Tim'sAngel Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Because we are human. It isn't possible to not ever have a problem with someone else as much as people would like to think they are the exception. Don't you ever get upset when the person in front of you cuts you off on a busy highway? Should they be judged? Maybe not but they could have caused an accident that could have resulted in your death. I personally think bigotry and hatred are morally wrong, but does that mean I'm never ever going to judge anyone or express my impatience or anger at them? Nope. Link to post Share on other sites
Bullgator Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 In the words of C.S. Lewis, it's a very old story... Link to post Share on other sites
basscatcher Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 fear, selfishness, nieve Its there a disorder for someone who can't feel emotions very well. They can't comprehend another person feelings. 'be in someone elses shoes'. Like someone who is drunk -- their sense of restraining themselves not to hurt another person by their actions or words is inhibitated. Their common sense or knowledge of respect is deadened. I have a gf who's daughter is this way. I can't remember what the disorder is called. I know its rare and this is speaking in severity of some who lacks compassion, empathy or understanding. They have no sense of remorse no matter how bad the situation is. They only know their own feelings. Its a dyfunction in their brains--I know this much. Cognitive --- something or other. Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 People do it out of fear. Fear of change mostly. Fear of a loss of status. Fear of a cultural shift. Fear that someday they may become part of the vulnerable minority. Fear of what others might do with their country. So they label others, and the label may or may not fit. They point out irrelevant differences like skin color as a way to categorize and identify the threat. And they recruit others in their fear for support. That's the reason people tear others down at the office. That's the reason for the KKK. What's not to understand? This isn't any kind of mystery. Link to post Share on other sites
Touche Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 It's not just fear. It's insecurity. Tear down others to make yourself feel better. Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 So why do people do this? I'm not talking about breakups. I'm talking about prejudice, bigotry, hatred. Why do to others what was so painful when done to you? Can anyone explain? Because human beings are made up of both good and bad and ruled by their emotions. Link to post Share on other sites
KnowHowLoveFeels Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 Everybody knows how awful it feels to be left out. To be unwanted. To be disliked for silly or unfair reasons. I doubt there's a human alive who hasn't experienced that at least once. So why do people do this? I'm not talking about breakups. I'm talking about prejudice, bigotry, hatred. Why do to others what was so painful when done to you? Can anyone explain? I blame it on ignorance. If these people had studied world history and been to more than one place in their lives, they'd know that they are in no way the 'better' people. People who hate or judge other people based on something as insignificant as appearance or skin color do not comprehend what makes us truly 'human': character, dignity, compassion, understanding, and a thirst for knowledge outside of their realm! On a lesser degree, I've felt being slighted by cashiers or service workers when I dress casually. I'm sure many of you can relate. However, we'll just have to accept taht that is how society works. Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 I blame it on ignorance. If these people had studied world history and been to more than one place in their lives, they'd know that they are in no way the 'better' people. People who hate or judge other people based on something as insignificant as appearance or skin color do not comprehend what makes us truly 'human': character, dignity, compassion, understanding, and a thirst for knowledge outside of their realm! But you are looking at only objective things KHLF...you're forgetting the emotional and irrational aspects of human beings. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Outcast Posted June 18, 2006 Author Share Posted June 18, 2006 What's not to understand? This isn't any kind of mystery. Didn't think it was a mystery so much as every now and then having trouble dealing with the idea that's 'that's how it is'. Problems with no solutions drive me nuts. And this one isn't any closer to being solved. But you're right. People who have their own issues can't see past them to care about others. Don't you wish sometimes that you could wave a wand and make all that sort of bad stuff go away? Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 Don't you wish sometimes that you could wave a wand and make all that sort of bad stuff go away? No I don't. Life and people are made of good and bad. Both are required and you cannot have one without the other. I don't want to live in some utopian society where all there is is good. That would be boring as hell! Link to post Share on other sites
basscatcher Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 That would be boring as hell! I agree. It would be so boring and we wouldn't learn anything because we'd all be too passive. Competition can sometimes be a rush. A little drama can be fun. Just sit back in a bar and watch the drunks make fools of themselves. It can be hilarious. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Outcast Posted June 18, 2006 Author Share Posted June 18, 2006 It can be hilarious. I only ever found it sad. Then again, some of my best friends had alcoholic parents and quite a bit of difficulty because of that so I pretty much have never found drunks funny. Link to post Share on other sites
Pyro Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 No I don't. Life and people are made of good and bad. Both are required and you cannot have one without the other. I don't want to live in some utopian society where all there is is good. That would be boring as hell! Life that is all good would not be boring. I only wish that life would be this way, I can still have excitement in life without the drama and the bad in life. Its only boring if you choose to make it that way. Think outside the box and imagine a stress free life. Link to post Share on other sites
KnowHowLoveFeels Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 But you are looking at only objective things KHLF...you're forgetting the emotional and irrational aspects of human beings. Animals are capable of having a wide range of emotions! Also, animals are irrational - at least to us! Outcast: Yes, sometimes, I feel bummed by the overt prejudice in this society. It is not something that I or you can solve. In fact, I don't think it will go away. It is an ancient emotion. Just look at some parents: they will show favortism, they will label some as the 'black sheep', or they will have higher expectations for one kid but not the other, etc.... On that end, I have always been the favored child. Link to post Share on other sites
Lonestar Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 No I don't. Life and people are made of good and bad. Both are required and you cannot have one without the other. I don't want to live in some utopian society where all there is is good. That would be boring as hell! If MY life was all good, I certainly wouldn't complain. Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 Don't you wish sometimes that you could wave a wand and make all that sort of bad stuff go away? My first answer was no. Like Alpha said, that would be boring. On the other hand, I don't think mass boredom is necessarily worse than bringing justice to all those who suffer from discrimination. Chances are we wouldn't be bored. We'd just occupy ourselves in other ways. I'm philosophical about this. [LECTURE]The closest thing we'll ever have to a magic wand is to understand what motivates people and to respond with compassion. Both to the victimizers and the victims. That's a core concept in Christianity, and most other religions, that most people seem to disregard. Figuring out what really motivates people is really interesting, and the better you are at it, the more of an advantage you have in life. That may sound selfish, but it's not a zero-sum game. This advantage is available to anyone who wants it. If you choose it, you get to benefit from it. And you would benefit from it just the same even if everyone else in the world chose it. The best place to start figuring people out is yourself. All the bad things you see in others are in you.[/LECTURE] Link to post Share on other sites
KnowHowLoveFeels Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 The best place to start figuring people out is yourself. All the bad things you see in others are in you. This is very true. Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 [LECTURE]....[/LECTURE] Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Don't you wish sometimes that you could wave a wand and make all that sort of bad stuff go away? Yeah, for nasty illnesses and diseases, wars, people getting raped or killed - Stuff like that get rid of! I wouldn't change the daily up's and down's in life. That's how we grow and learn. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Outcast Posted June 19, 2006 Author Share Posted June 19, 2006 I agree that we don't need unhappy events to make life 'interesting'. We'd probably have figured out how to cure cancer by now if we'd spent the money wasted on military power for medical research. We could be using the time spent in repairing harm for newer and better science, art - things that enhance life. Good lecture, Johan! But it doesn't help much if you understand what motivates people. It's hard to take because a lot of the answer is 'pain'. Old pain. Recent pain. Fear of pain. Hence the need for the wand. All the bad things you see in others are in you. All humans have the same capabilities. Some use some of them; others use others. Observers don't necessarily share the motivations of the observed. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I'm talking about prejudice, bigotry, hatred. Why do to others what was so painful when done to you? Can anyone explain? my two-part theory: those folks who practice these things don't honestly believe they're guilty of doing them. And those who are cognizant of it seem to think they're above everyone, that it's somehow justified to be hateful or bigoted ... Link to post Share on other sites
Toni_no12002 Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 We are only human.As soon as we see or meet someone we have formed an opinion about them sometimes without realising it.Its something we cant stop.But maybe some people should treat others how they would like to be treated even if they dont like someone. Link to post Share on other sites
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