Tea Talk

***warning: middle of the night ramble after a long day at work just to get some thoughts out; don't expect anything out of this.***

"Do you think your "unpopular opinions" are a substitute for being actually interesting? Is contrarianism your only personality trait?"

- Porter Robinson

Lately, in every area of my life I've experienced a lot of people 'playing devils advocate' only because they have no other reason to disagree. It can be a fun position to play for sure but it's become more apparent to me that some don't know how to discuss anything without just being contrary. I guess it's one road to go down and it's definitely tested/improved my patience. I don't quite know how I feel about it as I'm still taking it all in but I just wanted to let out some of my observations on the matter.
Disagreeing on every point, social convention, and topic at hand. In so many ways I do see so much value in this, it helps expand mine (and I assume others) perspectives on different things. Though sometimes I'll spot a trend of shitting on everything and anybody they can and all in the name of honesty.

This is where the consistency comes in. I see this everywhere. People state something and claim it's on the grounds of it being the truth, they act as if it's a pathway or guide to determine how you should vote/behave/decide. Then these same people turn around and go directly against what they so eloquently state, sometimes only moments later.

We're all hypocrites. I'm not sitting here saying that I am not. What I am saying is I am appalled at how some people play 'devils advocate' or claim something is how they consistently react; how people front something as a matter-of-fact, objective opinion when in fact it is totally subjective to their personal feelings towards a group/person/idea/social convention.

Basically, cut the BS if you don't like someone/something and that's your reason don't create some phoney crap as to why you don't. Just be upfront with it. My friends and I are checking each other on this stuff all the time lately.

IRL examples (just a couple)

A: "omg they're annoying; they're always late and don't shut up"
B: All of ______ are consistently late and talk more than we probably should, you just don't like them

or

A: "omg I can't believe Trudeau didn't accept Russia's help. it's totally his fault that we have all these wildfires."
B: do you actually understand how the logistics would work of bringing in dozens more aircraft? How air traffic control would be able to handle them? how much fuel they guzzle? if we have the right water resources for some of these crafts? Are you sure you aren't just upset that it's Trudeau and not your politician of choice in power? do you like to just emotionally respond to problems that are most definitely logical ones?

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“We can reject everything else: religion, ideology, all received wisdom. But we cannot escape the necessity of love and compassion... This, then, is my true religion, my simple faith. In this sense, there is no need for temple or church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine or dogma. Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need. So long as we practice these in our daily lives, then no matter if we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe in Buddha or God, or follow some other religion or none at all, as long as we have compassion for others and conduct ourselves with restraint out of a sense of responsibility, there is no doubt we will be happy.”

-Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV

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