Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 1/15/18
We live in an age of micro-aggressions and polarization. Don’t say, “You guys,” when there are women present, even though newscasters (including women) do it all the time. If you voted for the “other” party, you don’t merely have a differing opinion, you’re stupid.
This pathology is evident daily on Facebook, that great societal mirror. When someone posts a point of view—presumably with the intent of it being read—and a reader comments in disagreement, the person posting often responds, “Sorry you’re having a bad day.” In other words, if you deign to civilly disagree with the writer, you must somehow be “damaged”—you’re having a bad day (because the writer can’t possibly be wrong or even entertain another point of view).
I define “arrogance” as the honest-to-God belief that one has nothing left to learn. I define “smugness” as arrogance without the talent. Along with self-absorption and passive-aggressiveness, these are among the most dysfunctional, non-treated human conditions. And the plangent smugness of the position that anyone who disagrees is having a bad day has oozed into our discourse, the poisoned fruit of the tree of polarization (to paraphrase Justice Frankfurter).
Of course, you may disagree with all of this, and I respect that. I’m appreciative that you’re reading my words, and in all likelihood, having a very good day.
I’m Okay, You Stink —The satricial reaction to Tom Harris’s 1969 classic I’m OK—You’re OK and his transactional analyis approach to solving life’s problems. His book sold over 15 million copies.
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