Tonite's diary is a collaborative: BeninSC authored the diary, while brillig compiled the Triple Tops: Comments, Mojo & Pictures.Enjoy!
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I was watching an old Star Trek: Next Generation episode (entitled: Remember Me) the other day, and an elderly friend of Dr. Crusher’s was talking about how all his friends were gone, and how he regretted not appreciating them as he should have when they were there. Of course, it is a cautionary tale for us, but more than that, it’s a cautionary tale for you. You recently sent me a Facebook ‘Friend’ invitation, tracing, no doubt, to the year we knew each other ‘way back when.’
Since then, we’ve taken very different paths. I’ve gone deeper into the progressive world, into caring MORE about others, into caring about justice and fairness and the negative consequences of competition at the EXPENSE of others, of selfishness, and small-mindedness. You have gone deeper into callousness, into the headlong pursuit of privilege and advantage relative to others less fortunate than you, of kicking others while they’re down and in putting down and causing maximum harm to those with whom you disagree, politically, and to those they champion. Whatever someone’s circumstance (as long as it isn’t an unborn fetus), you blame and excoriate them, then wish to punish them further for that circumstance. You justify ‘hitting’ them for that circumstance, politically and with your withering condemnation and judgmentalism. Despite your avowed religious professions, you don't ever attempt to walk a mile in their shoes. You do unto others before they can do unto you. First strike politics. Indeed, often, you do unto them even when you know they’ll never have opportunity to do unto you.
Like Dr. Crusher’s friend, you don’t appreciate those who are here. Unlike Dr. Crusher’s very kind, benevolent friend, you seek advantage relative to them, you rejoice in their defeats even when those bring you no tangible reward. In short, you hate, and you reinforce and nurture hatred in others.
So, I’m sorry, I’m not going to accept your Facebook 'friend' invitation. I care a great deal about doing good in this world, about working toward that end. I care about leaving the things and the people I encounter BETTER off than I found them, if at all possible, and certainly no worse. I care about you, but I don’t have the luxury of time you believe in so fervently. Time is not on your side, in this. And I have a lot of work to do. So sorry, without the negativity, the hatred, the cultivated Schadenfreude, the carefully constructed feelings of perpetual victimhood. Without the selfishness.
You know, many thousands of years ago, our species lived in a nature state, and the only 'law' our species embraced - consciously or not - was survival of the fittest. But as time passed that attitude, the instinctive embracing of that vicious, mindless, very-opposite-of-sentient ‘law’ was understood to put a clear cap on the evolution of our species and what we could achieve. Every human being alive then had to spend her or his entire day on the task of survival. Over time our species learned the survival and creative advantages offered by division of labor, where one being would specialize in one activity, and others would specialize in others, COOPERATING and collaborating for the good of all.
That trend toward cooperation, toward helping others, helping each other interdependently, has only grown in importance and impact over the centuries and millennia. It is a conservative fantasy that the clock can be turned back on this evolution. Nothing you can do can stop it. We’re better when we cooperate, as opposed to pathologically seeking our own advantage, and the necessity for cooperative engagement will only grow. Selfishness, finding joy at causing harm to others will eventually be proven to be a behaviorally (and POLITICALLY!) recessive quality. (Indeed, for millions of us, that process is already well along.) The conservatism and selfishness you embrace could never carry our species forward, any more than it has you. They are contrary to peace, fairness, justice and liberty, and not just for all, but even for individuals who share your beliefs and views.
I wish you life-affirming, heart-opening experiences, Billy.
(In a Top Comments note, please keep paradise50 and smileycreek in your thoughts. Sara R is preparing a beautiful quilt for him, but loving and supportive thoughts are always appropriate!)
Brillig's ObDisclaimer: The decision to publish each nomination lies with the evening's Diarist. My evenings at the helm, I try reeeeallllyy hard to publish everything without regard to content. I really do, even when I disagree personally with any given nomination. "TopCommentness" lies in the eyes of the nominator and of you, the reader - I leave the decision to you. I do not publish self-nominations (ie your own comments) and if I ruled the world, we'd all build community, supporting and uplifting instead of tearing our fellow Kossacks down.
From Dragon5616:
In kos' front page post Gringrich's likeability problem, anastasia p blisters Newt with the truth.
From Tamar:
Such an on-target take down of Ann Coulter, by blue aardvark.
From mumtaznepal:
From weatherdude, commenting upon Brian Williams just sitting back, and letting Newt and Mitt go at it in the debate.
From brillig:
Newt's an Washington outsider?! Anthony Page aka SecondComing gives the setup and blue aardvark delivers the punchline.
plf515 diaries why this is the best they got. mallyroyal sums it up.
From Yours Truly, BeninSC:
In this comment, aufklaerer clearly explains discrepancies in representation in our country!
TOP PHOTOS
January 22, 2012
Enjoy jotter's wonderful PictureQuilt™ below. Just click on the picture and it will magically take you to the comment that features that photo.
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