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After considering the perils of linking one's life to the terminally self-absorbed, substance prone to substance abuse, or those consumed with anxiety or depression, I was left with a group of people to be wary of that do not fit into any specific category of personality disorder. They do not, in general, seek to manipulate or disadvantage others. They are not necessarily conceited or unkind, and their intentions are usually benign. And yet they are hard to be around for long. They tend toward a certain loquaciousness and are not often good listeners. It is the quality of their thoughts combined with an irresistible need to communicate them that are defining characteristics. They are fools. Read More
People to Avoid
While i agree with some of the observations expressed by Gordon Livingston in his article, I also feel somewhat sorry for him. It would appear that the only yardstick for testing "reality" with which he has any familiarity is the "scientific model"... to whit, if it cannot be observed and measured or if you can't experience it with any of your five physical senses then it doesn't exist. This would mark him in my estimation as a person who is emotionally bereft and spiritually bankrupt.
I feel he would greatly benefit from a more open view of the world, and life as we know it. He should try to extricate himself from the confines of the modern scientfic straight-jacket. Has he considered that a model of investigation into truth that relies solely upon the proof or otherwise of a pre-ordained hypothesis or premise can deliver only a limited understanding of all that is possible in the universe. What about all the ideas unthought of, or reject by the scientific establishment. Where is it written that they have cornered the market in relevant thinking? Considering their (often extravagant)claims to sole acces to the fountain of knowledge currently available to humanity, I feel they should be aware that many thinkers outside of their community would not even consider them particularly progressive. Those who see beyond the obvious may be "fools", but they should remember that many great thinkers were ridiculed in their own time, only to be highly esteemed later. This is particularly true of inventors.
Surely any rational person would acknowledge that there are far more wonders in this world than man can even dream of, and no particular discipline - scientific or otherwise, has a monopoly on wisdom.
Avoiding the self-reflective moment
I enjoyed this column immensely. I have copied it and sent it along the internets (I hope it doesn't get stuck in one of those tubes...) You are describing a LOT of people in this, and most of us are fools in some area or other. I find that those who do not reflect on their own weaknesses long enough to make a sincere effort to improve are more than eager to point their fingers at those of us who admit to our mistakes and try to learn from them. Thank you for putting into words what I have often felt.
question
How can i avoid myself?
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