I think fundamentally we're all more similar than we think. I've noticed here through experience and observation that those who are very good at getting to the heart of issues, being vulnerably human, honest, objective, and open-minded, are those who tend to be regarded most warmly by others. That's because they're darn good writers & thinkers, and they've got plenty of life experience under their belts.
On the other hand, think of people the likes of Lucas, Jennifer1...you know, the handful of people who've gotten some flack here.
For those of you who've given them flack, did you ever think to consider that they may still be honing their thinking / writing skills? Or maybe they're still on a journey to figure out who the heck they are? Perhaps they've gravitated toward blogging as a growing tool. Or an outlet for socialization. Maybe they're lonely which has given them some quirks that come out in their ideas.
Notwithstanding rudeness & lying...if someone needs to be rude, I hope they're just in a bad mood and need to get it off their chest. True, some people can be in a bad mood for a solid decade or more (I've been there). Or if they're liars I'd like to at least give them the benefit of the doubt that they're just playing around to conduct some sort of social experiment. It's their loss. And a bit of wasted mental energy for those who devoted too much time to listening to or caring what was said.
I also think of some religious writers here who seem to come off as a bit self-righteous. Well, I sympathize with how they feel and how they're treated. It's hard presenting your innermost convictions (however unpopular they may be), and your most idealistic experiences or wishes. Yet sometimes we really need to express it. For people who enjoy writing, it feels good to express everything on our minds. The hard part is withstanding the onslaught of nay-sayers and skeptics, or those who try to sway the conversation to get the person to question their faith. In some ways I feel that the questioners seem inconsiderate, while another part of me thinks that if the writer is up to it, analyzing one's religion is a fantastic way to test & build those spiritual muscles.
As for me, I've seen enough meanness around here in my two(?) years of joe-ing, that I've learned to keep it to myself unless I'm ready to fight for what I said.
Random thoughts. Nothing in particular sparked this idea other than a barrage of random memories over the past couple years.
