Anti-Sheep
So BlogHer is finally over. Well, this year's conference is, at least. Now maybe people will have time to get back to blogging like they usually do, about the things that amuse those of us who don't go to BlogHer conferences.
And hey, one of the things I kept reading last week (before I'd taken my blog-reading sabbatical, obviously) was that people kept saying that BlogHer was not like high school, and everyone got along. So, here's an idea that rolled across my brain: would people still have said that if Violent Acres had attended? Now THAT would have been some post-BlogHer interesting reading. Who would have offered to share a room with VA, to save money? Would everyone have invited her to sit at their table? Or would people have been too afraid of what she might say about them? I wonder. Then I decide it's all moot, since I doubt she'd go to a BlogHer conference.
Speaking of whom, can we talk about her blog? What's that? My blog, therefore my decision? Oh, well excellent. Let's.
I agree with a lot of the things Violent Acres writes. Yeah, I said it. I rarely say it out loud of course, because who does? But yeah, sometimes kids are annoying, or are being bratty, and I totally want to bitchslap whatever adult isn't minding them. Yesterday I was in line at a restaurant with a friend, and a little kid ran over my foot, hitting me in the leg as he went past me. "I fucking hate kids," I mumbled to my friend. She, a mother of a totally cute kid who I like, laughed. She wouldn't admit it, but I think in that moment she might have been hating kids a little bit too, since she was being repeatedly banged into also. Of course I don't REALLY hate kids - I like well-behaved ones. But I was still in the throes of having a bad day right then, and was seeing everything negative. If it had been a dog that had stepped on my foot, I probably would have said I hated dogs, even though everyone who knows me knows I love dogs.
Another reason I generally like VA is because she's not a sheep. She's not against agreeing with people, but if she disagrees with the masses, she'll say so, and I admire that. I care too much what people think to do that. Hey, it's the aftermath of growing up without friends.
Lately, I'm disappointed by people. I keep seeing people agreeing and encouraging cruelty to those who dare to disagree, even when it's done respectfully. And that bothers me. It's okay to disagree with people! You can like someone and disagree with them ALL AT THE SAME TIME! You know that whole "agree to disagree" concept? It works, I promise. I use it all the time.
Just because you're friends with somebody it doesn't mean you have to agree with every single thing they do and say and wear and promote. Sometimes I think of shutting my blog down, because it's served its original purpose. I wanted opinions from people who came from other backgrounds, from people who were outside of my immediate circle.
And now? Well, obviously, I don't get very many comments compared to some other blogs I read, and to be honest, while I, like everyone, appreciate encouragement, I sometimes worry that it's blind encouragement. I don't want to be patted on the back for every decision I make. I want to be challenged to think outside of my box, to see things in my life in new ways. I want to be pushed to be better.
I know I'm smart. But I'm not the smartest person out there, by a long shot. If everyone's patting me on the back ... where's my inspiration to do more, better? It's supposed to come from within? Fuck that. Despite my smarts, I'm a simple girl, and I need inspiration that comes from the world. From outside of me. Most people do. And it's okay to be like most people. As long as you've considered being a different way first. One billion Chinamen CAN be wrong. Little thing called WWII, anyone?
So please. Believe what you say, don't be afraid to disagree, comment early, and comment often. Oh, and in my effort to be more bold about disagreeing with the masses, it seems vests are making a comeback this fall, and I don't think it's a good idea.
And hey, one of the things I kept reading last week (before I'd taken my blog-reading sabbatical, obviously) was that people kept saying that BlogHer was not like high school, and everyone got along. So, here's an idea that rolled across my brain: would people still have said that if Violent Acres had attended? Now THAT would have been some post-BlogHer interesting reading. Who would have offered to share a room with VA, to save money? Would everyone have invited her to sit at their table? Or would people have been too afraid of what she might say about them? I wonder. Then I decide it's all moot, since I doubt she'd go to a BlogHer conference.
Speaking of whom, can we talk about her blog? What's that? My blog, therefore my decision? Oh, well excellent. Let's.
I agree with a lot of the things Violent Acres writes. Yeah, I said it. I rarely say it out loud of course, because who does? But yeah, sometimes kids are annoying, or are being bratty, and I totally want to bitchslap whatever adult isn't minding them. Yesterday I was in line at a restaurant with a friend, and a little kid ran over my foot, hitting me in the leg as he went past me. "I fucking hate kids," I mumbled to my friend. She, a mother of a totally cute kid who I like, laughed. She wouldn't admit it, but I think in that moment she might have been hating kids a little bit too, since she was being repeatedly banged into also. Of course I don't REALLY hate kids - I like well-behaved ones. But I was still in the throes of having a bad day right then, and was seeing everything negative. If it had been a dog that had stepped on my foot, I probably would have said I hated dogs, even though everyone who knows me knows I love dogs.
Another reason I generally like VA is because she's not a sheep. She's not against agreeing with people, but if she disagrees with the masses, she'll say so, and I admire that. I care too much what people think to do that. Hey, it's the aftermath of growing up without friends.
Lately, I'm disappointed by people. I keep seeing people agreeing and encouraging cruelty to those who dare to disagree, even when it's done respectfully. And that bothers me. It's okay to disagree with people! You can like someone and disagree with them ALL AT THE SAME TIME! You know that whole "agree to disagree" concept? It works, I promise. I use it all the time.
Just because you're friends with somebody it doesn't mean you have to agree with every single thing they do and say and wear and promote. Sometimes I think of shutting my blog down, because it's served its original purpose. I wanted opinions from people who came from other backgrounds, from people who were outside of my immediate circle.
And now? Well, obviously, I don't get very many comments compared to some other blogs I read, and to be honest, while I, like everyone, appreciate encouragement, I sometimes worry that it's blind encouragement. I don't want to be patted on the back for every decision I make. I want to be challenged to think outside of my box, to see things in my life in new ways. I want to be pushed to be better.
I know I'm smart. But I'm not the smartest person out there, by a long shot. If everyone's patting me on the back ... where's my inspiration to do more, better? It's supposed to come from within? Fuck that. Despite my smarts, I'm a simple girl, and I need inspiration that comes from the world. From outside of me. Most people do. And it's okay to be like most people. As long as you've considered being a different way first. One billion Chinamen CAN be wrong. Little thing called WWII, anyone?
So please. Believe what you say, don't be afraid to disagree, comment early, and comment often. Oh, and in my effort to be more bold about disagreeing with the masses, it seems vests are making a comeback this fall, and I don't think it's a good idea.
Labels: Personally, Potential Depth, Whatcha Readin?
posted by Green at 8/04/2007 10:43:00 AM
4 Comments:
Thanks for the Violent Acres link, been enjoying reading some posts. I don't think you read my blog, so I'm not offended, because it IS boring. Could be a cure for imsomnia tho.
I am absolutely not wearing a vest. I wore enough of them in 10th grade to last a life time - vests and rolled up jeans, Converse high tops and a wide brimmed black hat. I wish I had pictures.
Vests are the antichrist. Are we really back to the early 90s already? Sheesh.
I couldn't agree more. Vests need to remain a distant, embarassing wardrobe memory. And kids whose parents don't intervene when they're acting up bug me, too. Especially when I've paid a babysitter to keep mine and am trying to enjoy a few hours of solitude, hanging with a friend, or out on a date with DH.
Intelligent conversation usually contains elements from various angles, which is how we are enlightened and nudged out of our self-determined boxes. When people get personal, judgmental and nasty in disagreements is where I usually tune out. Online and IRL.
Post a Comment
<< Home