Questioning Introverts, Youth, Change, Questions, Trans, and Honesty

 

“When introverts are in conflict with each other... it may require a map, in order to follow all the silences, nonverbal cues, and passive-aggressive behaviors!”

-- Adam S. McHugh

How do I keep someone engaged in a conversation? I've been an introverted person throughout my life.

Don’t discuss boring topics. Be attentive, ask questions, don’t be argumentative, and make good points. Being “attentive” is a point. People like to talk, so they like the people around them to listen. Start by being a listener.

Were people uglier in the past?

Shorter and uglier.

What if good and evil don't really exist, and were just stupid, empty values that our caveman ancestors made up?

But, good and evil do exist. It would be excellent if we made this up, but we didn’t. We put names to them, but that is about it. As much as we’d like evil to disappear, it will be with us forever. The universe demands balance. We would not recognize “good” without experiencing “evil.” Balance.

Is there anything you can think of that would create a better society? I think that, basically, people need to work and earn money so they have options. Do you have another idea?

Honesty. Politics could use a good dose of it.

Reader's comment: Humans aren’t honest though, Tony. When I used to learn about screenwriting the number one piece of advice was to make sure characters were lying 80% of the time. So when a character says something truthful it’s a big deal.

My reply: So, as I said, “honesty” would make a better society. As a screenwriter, you should learn to read.

Does resisting pleasure cause neurogenesis?

What doesn’t cause neurogenesis? Almost everything we do or ingest helps it along. Death would stop it from coming to the forefront. Other than that, good luck.

What's Your worth? In a world where self-esteem and personal value are often tied to external achievements and social validation, it's crucial to find a deeper, and more stable, understanding of what makes us truly valuable.

External achievements and social validation are overrated. You are right when you say, “...it’s crucial to find a deeper and more stable understanding of what makes us truly valuable.” Everything else is horse poop. What makes us "truly" valuable is who we are to the people around us. Having good ethics will go a long way to make this happen. Your worth is who you are to others. Be selfless in all you do. Don’t be fake, be honest, and don’t try to be what you aren’t. Who you are is who we are interested in.

“A person's worth is measured by the worth of what he values.”

-- Marcus Aurelius

Now that my youth is mostly over, I wake up almost every day either in tremendous fear of things to come or nearly shedding tears for things that will never be again. What can I do to stop it?

Join the military. I recommend the Air Force. Your fears will wilt away, as you mature.

Do you think if humans say dogs are more trustworthy than humans, they are idiots because humans are a better judge of character than dogs are? Do you think dogs are actually stupid and don't know what's good for them?

Dogs were here a long time before we were. We may be a better “judge” of character, but we have to judge. A dog does “judgment” in its actions. While we are still thinking, the dog has already taken action. Stupid? We can be just as wrong as the dog can be… only later.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Getting angry with other drivers when they “don’t” drive. I need to work on it.

What are the things a person regrets when he feels he is getting older?

I regret not telling people how I feel about them. Good or bad, they probably need to know. Honesty is something we try not to hurt people with. It might be right, but it sucks.

Is it true that humans can be found in all countries and continents?

Is this a trick question?

Bullies are cowards. They attack those who are vulnerable and won’t attack them back. Those who do “turn the other cheek”?

Is this a question or a statement of fact? It seems to be a statement of fact. If it is, I must say that I agree that bullies are cowards. They seem to attack the vulnerable. A known tactic of bullies. God forbid they risk losing a battle.

“What if the kid you bullied at school, grew up, and turned out to be the only surgeon who could save your life?”

-- Lynette Mather

Is it possible to change without getting a taste of your own medicine?

It is possible, if you are smart enough to know you need to change. You have learned a lesson, hopefully, without getting a taste of your own medicine. Unfortunately, most of us are forced to get a taste.

16-year-olds are entirely useless to the world. Anyone agree?

They are a learning tool. They are here to teach their parents how to parent.

How does anyone come to the notion that only idiots "deal with it" because life's never fair at all?

Well, life is fair… now and then. We deal with problems because we are here to learn. If the problem keeps cropping up, you haven’t learned how to deal with it. It isn’t that you’re an idiot, you are, most likely, still ignorant of the solution. Ignorant is what they are. No one is an idiot or stupid.

Must there be an issue in every age, regarding class, or some other type of wall built against every man? Would a significantly greater issue emerge if those and other odd issues were to vanish overnight?

Since we are here to learn, it stands to reason that something will emerge to challenge us.

Is it true that the character said, "If you need to talk about it darling, then you don't have it"?

If I have a screaming hard-on, it’s pretty obvious. I need to talk about it since it won't go away... anytime soon. I don’t think this quote holds much water. Most things I talk about, well, I already have.

In what ways do people care for you?

If people truly care for me, they will be my friend. That is all I ask.

“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow

Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead

Walk beside me… just be my friend”

-- Albert Camus

What questions do you need to ask today?

I answer questions. At the age of 70, there are no questions I need to get answered. There is a lot of information stored in my brain looking for an outlet. It may not be totally correct, but it might help someone in need. This site provides a relief valve for me.

Why can't people accept that evil always wins?

Because it doesn’t. Why do you accept this?

Why do I exist? I dislike this.

You exist to learn. You may not like it. You may not understand it… the “learning” part. We are all here to “learn” the lessons life has delivered unto us, for better or worse. You can get with the program, or waste the time until you die. Since you will not have anything to download your usefulness will be minimal. A damaged “hard drive” will be retired.

How can we maintain a positive attitude in difficult circumstances? Can a person with a negative mindset also maintain a positive attitude?

Even a “negative mindset” has a survival instinct, which is positive.

How true is this statement? "Motives will be the only solid argument I can anchor reactions on.''

I don’t know you, so this question is unanswerable. For most people, I’d say the premise is pretty solid. Even “knee-jerk” reactions can be motivated by things only our mind might recognize first before we become aware of it.

What is the earliest known depiction of a human being?

Try this:

“The earliest known depiction of a human being is considered to be the "Venus of Hohle Fels," a small figurine carved from mammoth ivory found in a cave near Schelklingen, Germany, which is dated to between 42,000 and 40,000 years ago; it is considered the oldest undisputed example of a human depiction in prehistoric art.” 

-- CNN

What would you do if you had sex with someone, then after, you found out they were trans?

If you can’t tell while they're nude, have some fun. When nude though... it's easy to tell.

Is it possible to have true knowledge of oneself? Or are we constantly evolving?

If you have true knowledge of yourself, you will also have true knowledge of yourself while constantly evolving.

What are the things that words can't change?

The truth.

What is one problem that only religion creates?

The question of God’s existence. Neither theists nor atheists have a definitive answer. Neither side has concrete proof to offer, either way.

Why do I wish I was an insect so I would have no effect on the future?

An insect affects the future. The scale is much smaller, but it still has an effect. Try again.

How do you handle negative responses without getting hurt by criticism from others?

Most of the criticism I get is negative responses due to ignorance. We talk about it and they usually come over to my side, or I can see their point. If we don’t come to a meeting of the minds, there is not much I can do about it. I certainly don’t get hurt by their criticism. Serious critique makes the world a better place to live. I welcome it.

“If we had no faults we should not take so much pleasure in noting those of others.”

-- François de La Rochefoucauld

Do you value being honest?

 As much as I value ethics. Honesty is a trait one doesn’t want to lose, but it is difficult.

Have you encountered a highly unintelligent person, who behaved like they knew everything?

All the time. The faux ego can be an ugly thing.

How can we serve humanity without money?

Study the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

How does a wise man share his wisdom?

He lives.

What word starts with S and ends with Y?

Say.

What have you ever lost for seeking or speaking the truth?

Nothing. If they don’t believe the truth, they are the ones who lost the truth.

“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”

-- Joe Klaas

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 in 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