Because I don’t think or behave the way most humans do I’ve had to observe human behaviour in order to make a go at fitting in. What I often forget is that other people aren’t acting–they actually care about the things I pretend to care about. Most of the time, watching other people virulently discuss whatever they’re discussing reminds me of listening to people meticulously dissect a sporting event I care nothing for. So… all sporting events.

However, sometimes I can convince myself I give two hoots about certain things (e.g. politics) and I can get swept up in the name-calling and feces-flinging (who doesn’t enjoy quality recreations of that nature, I ask you) but then I remember, oh yeah, I don’t really care and it’s like waking from a dream. In the dream, I honestly cared about [insert thing here] but once awake I’m baffled as to why I cared, as it was such nonsense.

One very human thing about me is that I think other people must certainly feel the way I do–they don’t really take everything so seriously, do they? but I’ve come to the conclusion that some people really do take whatever is dear to them seriously. Deadly serious, indeed. But all the people shouting about their pet love/hate seem like they must know it doesn’t matter. Our time is short and who wants to spend that time being miserable? I mean, you have to spend your blip of time doing something and being honked off is definitely something to do, but … why? It doesn’t make you happy and it only ticks off everyone around you.

I’m not saying we should ignore the world and be mindless idiots–everyone could use some more thinking in their lives–but … is the basis of your vehemence that important? Really? Often, when I meet people who are shouting until they’re a lovely shade of aubergine I find myself wondering, “That’s important to you. Interesting.” Then pondering what that says about the person. And just try explaining why that thing isn’t important to you. The answer is the same for everyone on earth: “That’s not important to me because I have a different set of values influenced by a completely different set of life circumstances.”

Different isn’t bad, it’s just different. Many people have an extremely difficult time with this concept. Plurality doesn’t work in their minds. I don’t know why plurality is so threatening. If someone here has a guess I’d love to hear it.

When someone tells me I’m wrong about something I think, but don’t say (because that would involve having a pointless conversation), “Okay. You live in a world where everything is black and white, right and wrong. I live in a world of greys where you and I are allowed to have different opinions. Our worlds will never intersect. What you call wrong I call, ‘Not your opinion.’ So I’m not offended by your comment.”

It’s sort of like when Christians tell me I’m going to Hell–I don’t believe in Hell so I’m not bothered. I typically say, “Okay, well I hope you get reincarnated as a happier person.” Their response: ‘I don’t believe in reincarnation.’

Me: Now you know how I feel about Hell.

Them: B-but… YOU’RE WRONG

Me: ::sigh:: Okay.

I have books to read. I have languages to learn. I have other things to do than argue with people from other planets.

My favourite people are the ones who want to die horribly. They’re the ones who, if you ask: And why is this thing so important? They answer: Because it can kill us!! [This typically applies to environmental issues and politicians perceived to be warmongers.]

They seem quite excited about our impending doom. (Similar to the people who tell me I’m going to Hell–they’re overjoyed by the prospect.) But it seems to me that if we’re dead then it doesn’t matter. And as long as we’re alive nothing is so bad. So get a hobby that makes your world a better place that doesn’t include shouting–shouting doesn’t help anyone. It’s not changing your opponents’ minds and it’s not making you any healthier. It seems to me that the best course of action would be to fix your world–you’re never going to wipe out all the people that disagree with you so don’t bother with theirs–and then you will have accomplished something with your zephyr of time.

Or you can carry on shouting and lamenting how stupid the Other Side is and how they’re going to bring us all down.

Yeah, that’s probably more fun anyway.