Anger Mismanagement

[the_gneech]

Courtesy of bearblue:

Anger Mismanagement: The Ruin of Politics and Dinner Parties

I've been guilty of it myself, and I think that's just the nature of the beast. I've been making a strong effort in the past several months to de-politicize myself, because the more I see, the more convinced I am that all it does is generate ill will.

-The Gneech

Comments

[trpeal.livejournal.com]

I remember thinking not so long ago that American political discourse had really deteriorated. And then I remembered stories from my history classes of what occurred in 19th-Century elections, and then though that maybe I came to political awareness in a period of relative gentility in the process, and that perhaps things were reverting to type.

I've also taken effort to de-politicize myself. The past few times I've thought of commenting on political-type posts I caught myself thinking of really angry things to say, so I stopped myself. I don't like engaging in that sort of exchange, so I won't, if I can help it.

[jim-lane.livejournal.com]

Religion and politics are the two "hot-button" GUARANTEED to disrupt parties and destroy friendships.

Avoid them like the plague; discuss them at your peril---

[level-head.livejournal.com]

I don't think that guarantee is worth much; I've been able to discuss politics and keep extreme liberals and extreme conservatives as friends.

The point of the article, I think, is that angered conversation is the problem, rather than the topic itself.

===|==============/ Level Head

[jim-lane.livejournal.com]

What you're overlooking, Sir Dragon, is that MOST people don't have your level of conversational skill. While YOU may be able to hold onto friends who don't share your particular beliefs---most can't.

I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I've seen lifetime friendships go up in proverbial smoke over such differences.

For us mundanes, it's often better never to START such conversations, or if drawn into them---bow out IMMEDIATELY.

Just my $.02---

[level-head.livejournal.com]

I certainly don't always succeed.

Rather than looking to start political or religious trouble, I'm generally looking for a no-holds-barred brawling bunch of civility to break out. ];-)

===|==============/ Level Head

[jim-lane.livejournal.com]

Maybe that happens in California, but down here in "Redneck Alley", civility is NOT a way of life---

It's not even in some folks' vocabulary...
*sigh...*

[oceansedge.livejournal.com]

"Anybody can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody's power, that is not easy." - Aristotle

[level-head.livejournal.com]

It is a matter of discipline; it also helps if one is striving toward it. Those who are proud to spew anger are sort of lost to civil conversation; others, like me, try and don't always succeed.

===|==============/ Level Head