For something to exist as a distinct entity, there must be some attribute which distinguishes it from something else

If there’s none, or we can’t perceive it — then it blurs with that other thing — and is not recognised as distinct

 

Conversely the greater the contrast the more something stands out

 

And thus it follows that we need a good foil to fully notice, acknowledge and appreciate WHAT WE ARE

 

Maybe that is what attracts us to OUTRAGE?

Because in it we can affirm ourselves the best?

 

Anger is not particularly delightful, as a feeling

And yet we relish in it

Hate is not particularly delightful

Sense of isolation from the community and the society is not particularly delightful

Sense of rejection is not particularly delightful

And yet,

we seem quite uninterested in eradicating those filthy tastes from our lives,

and sometimes even outright seek them out, to revel in them

 

Maybe part of us likes it

Because at least we affirm ourselves

“Assert” ourselves

and for a moment have the illusion of being a bit more… real

a bit more permanent

and not just a transient collection of memories, low voltage sparks in an organic tissue

 

I don’t think you should pretend you’ve more in common with people than you do

I don’t think you should shy away from conflict

I don’t think you should be unwilling to speak frankly and convey yourself

 

But I don’t think it should involve much negative emotion

It’s a waste of time

Reserve negativity for when you have to actually physically defend yourself, or singularly definitely get rid of someone from your life

Don’t waste it throughout the day, during yet another predictable fucking discovery that you disagree with some dumb fuck

 

You shouldn’t derive your sense of self from others, obviously

That of course is reactive, rather than proactive

How is it individualistic if it’s so dependent on others?

It doesn’t matter if you’re with them or against them — you’re still reacting TO THEM

Rather than blazing your own trail and relying on your own judgement

 

Put it together: NEGATIVITY + over-reliance on others

The dopamine of outrage over finding a perfect foil to you, someone who represents everything you hate and thus affirms everything you love… it’s not worth it

Why not JUST affirm everything you love?

I know it’s easier to paint the world black and then pretend you’re the brightest star,

But it’s more worthwhile to instead develop your values and beliefs and arguments at a higher level, instead,

Learn to formulate them clearly

Learn to convey them beautifully, perhaps artistically

Is that not what art is for? Contemplation is for?

This is how you can honour those values

And honour who you are

You don’t need to step into shit to smell the roses again