Questioning Stupid, Blame, Behagior, and Joy

 

“You might be an introvert if you were ready to go home before you left the house.”

-- Criss Jami

 

As an introvert, what is an excellent way to make friends with a shy person?

Engage them in conversation.

Do you need to score high in logical, mathematical, linguistic, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic intelligence in order to be "highly intelligent"?

Not if you’re smart. Scoring high is an egotistical goal for someone so intelligent. Better to just be intelligent and set other, more substantive, goals for you to attain. This will make you smart, as well, and being intelligent and smart is an anomaly.

Can thinking processes be classified as "stupid"? If so, why do we call some people "stupid"?

Because we, the common people, have classified their thinking processes as stupid. Is this a trick question?

Are personal and professional growth two separate things?

This is tough. One is “personal” growth and the other is “professional” growth. One defines you, personally, as a person, moving through life, and one defines you as a professional moving forward in your chosen profession. You can be a total asshole and be a great professional, or you can be a great person and be a great professional. But, being a great person and a great professional is rare. Ego tends to get in the way.

When a person is aware that one of her relatives is a moral hypocrite, what should she do?

Tell them that she’s aware, and if she’s aware so is everyone else.

"Moral hypocrisy (MH) is the desire to behave morally while seeking opportunities to avoid adopting behaviors that actually result in morally good outcomes. MH has two manifestations. First, people adopt harsher and stricter standards of moral judgment for others than those they adopt for themselves, and this type of hypocrisy occurs at the intrapersonal level. Second, at the interpersonal level, hypocrisy is manifested in people’s morality standards, which are inconsistent with their actual behavior; that is, their actual behavior fails to meet their claimed moral requirements of behavior investigated hypocrisy and explained the cause for moral people apparently behaving immorally."

-- Frontiers in Psychology

What was it like to meet the person who would become your romantic partner?

I became stupid, married her, spent 25 years in hell, then divorced her. I learned from my mistake. So did our children.

What do you think about people who play with your mind or say things to you that they don't really mean?

This presupposes I’m swimming in the shallows. People should be aware of who is talking to them and move into deeper waters… unless sex is involved. Playing along, in the shallows, might pay dividends. It is a choice.

How can you deal with people who blame others for their mistakes or failures in life? What are some ways to shut them up once and for all?

Constantly confront them. Sooner or later, they will grow to understand.

What are some tips for making people respect you as a manager instead of fearing you?

Mutual respect, and good communication. Management has little to do with fear as much as it has to do with managing everyone toward a timely, quality goal. Fear and quality really don’t equate.

What is the scientific evidence for or against the idea that having a positive attitude can significantly affect your life?

Someone did a scientific study on the obvious? Big waste of money, there.

“If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn’t value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?”

-- Sam Harris

Why do some people have the answer of “I don’t know” for everything?

I don’t know. Maybe they missed the education boat, or they may be afraid to voice an opinion, fearing they’ll be ridiculed.

Are you strong enough to manhandle?

It depends on what I’m supposed to manhandle.

When someone starts an argument by stating, "I don't care what anyone else says, but, <insert whatever narrative they want to push>…", are they basically saying that they just want to push their ideas on you, and not listen to any criticism?

Basically. They aren’t starting an argument as much as they are sidestepping one. The person who takes them on, due to their statement, is starting the argument. If they “don't care what anyone else says” then leave them alone. If they’re wrong, it will play out and everyone will know that “not caring” makes you look ignorant. Better they take the time to hear all sides.

Why do teenagers act like their bad behagior isn't a choice?

Because the parents didn’t choose to parent? Is that word supposed to be “behavior”?

When I make a decision, I don't back off from it. Is it a good thing or bad?

If it’s a bad decision, you’ll have to live with it. You might look pretty stupid. Backing off from a wrong decision can show people you own, and correct, your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. How we handle them defines who we are to those around us.

“Everything you've worked for can go to waste with only one wrong decision.”

-- Auliq Ice

 How can I answer comprehension questions using my own words?

Try answering the question using your own words. Don’t worry about the how, just do. They asked a question, so answer it.

Is applying blame in conflicts healthy?

If there is a conflict, there must be blame for one to apply. Find the culprit, show them the evidence, hear their side, and ask how they plan on correcting the issue. Applying blame has to do with evidence. Accepting blame has to do with good character. The character, in correcting their mistake, is showing they can be trusted and counted on. It is hard to trust anyone who never admits to mistakes. 

Why are some people so slow in doing things? Is it a medical condition?

Not if they’re snipers, disarming bombs, or plotting nuclear strikes. Some people simply have great focus and like doing the job right.

How can we not indulge in someone's delusion in an acceptable way if they believe or think that they are something that they aren’t?

This is pretty easy. “Indulging” is a choice. Choose not to. 

What can we learn from the example of radical do-gooders?

You can learn the odds of success. If your odds are low, all you’re doing is making a spectacle of yourself. If the odds are even, or good, you are focussing attention on a problem, that isn’t you. “Tree huggers” are a good example of creating a spectacle, getting arrested, accomplishing little, and ruining their future with a criminal record evidencing stupidity. Non-radical “do-gooders” use knowledge of the law to win the day. Right will be seen as right by most interested parties. Chaining yourself to a tree is, maybe, a humorous footnote at the end of the nightly news.

“There's nothing more frightening than a half-baked do-gooder who knows nothing of the world but takes it upon himself to tell the world what's good for it.”

-- Eiji Yoshikawa

Do I have to answer irrelevant questions put by PRs in their answers and comments?

You have the freedom to not do anything you don’t want to, especially answering irrelevant questions from PRs. I make a mistake, now and then, answering requests from the League of the Perpetually Offended. The irrelevance they attack me with is the reason I ignore their stupidity. You, also, have the right to ignore it.

Why do people always prioritize their privacy?

If you don’t prioritize privacy as your number one concern, then it really isn’t privacy. You might as well run all your private matters up the flagpole for all to see.

What are some things that successful business people notice when first meeting someone?

Attitude and dress. A respectful, cordial, and knowledgeable attitude will set one apart, as will “dressing for success” in conservative clothes without a lot of jewelry “bling” to distract. You are there to meet “successful business people” so, it might be appropriate to look like one.

What are some inspiring examples of people who have empowered themselves and overcome adversity?

Stephen Hawking, ALS for 55 years and was a noted theoretical physicist. Joey Jones, is a Marine veteran, double amputee, and military analysis contributor for Fox news.

How do I express joy and admiration without causing envy of others?

Nice thought, but let them be envious. Why should you change who you are, expressing joy and admiration, just because others might be envious? Maybe their envy will teach them to be more joyful and admiring. There is not much we can do for the league of the perpetually envious, but to show them our joy, and show them we will not swim in the shallow end of their pool. They need to raise their bar… and join you.

“Envy is the religion of the mediocre. It comforts them, it soothes their worries, and finally it rots their souls, allowing them to justify their meanness and their greed until they believe these to be virtues. Such people are convinced that the doors of heaven will be opened only to poor wretches like themselves who go through life without leaving any trace but their threadbare attempts to belittle others and to exclude - and destroy if possible - those who, by the simple fact of their existence, show up their own poorness of spirit, mind, and guts. Blessed be the one at whom the fools bark, because his soul will never belong to them.”

-- Carlos Ruiz Zafón

 

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony: tolerantpastor@gmail.com