Questioning Failure, Genius, Influence, Privacy, and Problems

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

-- Winston S. Churchill

Why does my dad keep telling me that I'm going to struggle and fail in life whenever I make a minor mistake or error?

He needs to stop, explain the mistake or error, and make you try again. You will struggle and fail in life if you always hear negativity without the benefit of help. Failure is the best way we learn.

Similar to my last question, how much do you have to interact with someone to understand their true personality?

A conversation.

Why are people here on Quora making fun of my serious questions about depression? I just posted a question about depression and about my struggles in life and the answers were so silly and stupid.

Maybe they don’t know you’re being serious, or they are assholes. I can identify with that. Or, maybe you’ve run into the League of the Perpetually Offended. If it’s the League, just move on. There is no arguing with them.

Will you be able to resolve the disagreement?

No, but it will not affect my relationship with whom I disagree.

What about your culture makes you proud to be part of your culture?

Our freedom. However, our liberal democrats are trying to turn our freedom into something not-so-nice. I gave 23 years of my life to protect our freedoms. I will not let them take it from me. This is my pride.

Which rules genuinely help society, and which just act as a wet blanket?

The ‘Rule of Law” genuinely tries to help society. “Woke” rules are wet blankets. They make little sense and they weaken society as a whole.

“If you love freedom, then you are going to have to pay for it. Not only by paying taxes but by making the commitment to live by the principles that are essential for freedom to survive. That includes respecting the rule of law and if you have set that aside for political reasons, then you are a threat to our democracy and our freedoms.”

-- RJ Intindola

Why are geniuses so arrogant, like the whole world is too stupid for them?

Not all geniuses are arrogant. Einstein wasn’t arrogant. Making judgment calls about people might be seen as arrogant. Just saying. 

Why do people in school bully me for NO REASON? Like I will be sat there and they just say these things that aren't even true.  I am embarrassed and regret not doing something. I did NOTHING to hurt them! Please, help me. What do I do?

They are bullies. It is what they do. You can ignore stupidity, or sink to their level. It is a choice. 

I read a scene for class today and my professor said, "Your formatting is terrible," in front of the entire class. Am I wrong to be upset he embarrassed me?

No, but, if the professor is tasked with teaching you, then he needs to “bone up” on teaching formatting. It would seem he either sucks at this, or you didn’t learn what he taught.

Is it true that war is normal and natural for humans?

No, but greed might be. Greed fuels the “need” to go to war to capture what other people have that you want.

Would you believe it if I told you that you are a robot?

I’d be more apt to believe you don’t know what a robot is.

What is the alter ego of the hero/villain?

It is usually what they are when they aren’t being the hero or the villain. For instance, one could say Clark Kent was Superman’s alter ego.

“We wear masks not to be something different, but to deny the ‘something different’ that we are without the mask.”

-- Craig D. Lounsbrough

Who influences your digital self the most?

Me. Anytime you let others influence you to do something you know is wrong, signifies a personal weakness. If they “influence” you to do what’s right, it is more of a reminder, than an influence, to always do what is right.

Why do self-righteous people think that blocking somebody hurts them?

“Self-righteous” means they think they’re righteous. They do stupid things to prove it.

How do you erase negativity from your mind and effectively stop strong negative thoughts? Please, can you help me? I really need to find something effective. I can't keep going like that. Negative thoughts came into my mind during the job, almost making me cry.

Only you can do this. I strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. Negativity is a choice. You are making bad choices. When you find yourself being negative, stop, and find a reason to be positive. Everything that happens in life is a choice we make. If the boss is an asshole, why do you stay? A choice. If the job sucks, the same question, the same answer. A choice. This is just a thought, maybe you need to make better choices in your life. Enjoying nature, for instance, keeps me positive

How do you practice long-term and intense logical reasoning skills?

Through trial and error, logically. Good reasoning comes from making mistakes, as well as attaining goals.

What are your personal thoughts on the classic little one-liner, "Money can't buy happiness."?

Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Happiness is an emotion you should carry with you always. If you aren’t happy before you spend money, then chances are you won’t be after spending the money. If you rely on money to cure all your ills, you will always be ill.

What makes a person agree to do something against his values?

Weakness. Never let someone force you to ignore your values.

“Your beliefs become your thoughts,

Your thoughts become your words,

Your words become your actions,

Your actions become your habits,

Your habits become your values,

Your values become your destiny.”

-- Gandhi

I believe people should not have the right to privacy. I believe criminal behavior breeds when privacy is allowed. How can we insinuate change in the world that will allow for an open and honest means of communication?

The first thought is a police state. The second thought is what the first thought will do away with. You can’t have both… unless you sit at the top and make the rules.

Say that you did something wrong, but at the same time it doesn’t look wrong, what would you do?

I wouldn’t have done what was wrong.

Voters in America. Most don’t have a clue. Evidence? Joe Biden.

What is something embarrassing about your culture or something embarrassing you have witnessed about another culture?

What is something embarrassing about your culture or something embarrassing you have witnessed about another culture?

Voters in America. Most don’t have a clue. Evidence? Joe Biden.  

Do you boss people around and denigrate them if they're not unfailingly courteous? You give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

The first would make me an asshole. The second would make them an asshole. I’ll let them be the asshole. 

Why do I need more followers?

Why do you need a follower at all? 

“You have the blood of a great warrior. To lead, you must also learn to follow.”

-- E.Y. Laster

Would you prefer to find a problem or fix a problem?

For 50 years I’ve been tasked with finding problems, and then coming up with solutions to fix them. If you don’t plan on fixing the problem, don’t go looking for them. You are wasting time.

If a lot of people call me stupid, should I accept that I am stupid?

Only if you’re really stupid. Never accept what other people say about you.

Author's comment: I don't know if I'm really stupid, Sir.

My reply: You managed to navigate a computer to ask this question, so how stupid can you be? Looks to me like you have some skills.

How can competition in school make you question the purpose of education?

It doesn’t. The purpose of school is to learn, not to pit one student against the rest. The competition, if there is one, is to get the best grade, which tells the powers that be, whether you have learned anything.

What's the difference between They are always making fun of me for being short and They always make fun of me for being short?

No difference. Being short is something an “extrovert” personality can take care of. Just be fun!

How do I not get hurt by others?

Broad shoulders help. Don’t let people get under your skin. If you do, you risk being hurt and they get what they’re after - to hurt you. Rise above their bullshit. If they can’t say anything nice, you don’t need to be around them. 

How do you define "maturity"? Is it entirely dependent on someone's personality?

Try this:

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways.” 

-- 1 Corinthians 13:11

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. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, 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 while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a 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 United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

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 a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He 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 personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

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