Useless fact of the day:

The city of Mt. Vernon, Washington grows more tulips than the entire country of Holland.

Moving along...

To continue about from the last Blab... I received some feedback about it that mentioned I ended up sounding a bit like I was preaching. Well, a Blab is practically just a monologue that just happens to be monologous and much more specific than just my thoughts. Yes, that last word was "specific". If you think that my Blabs are a mess, you should try to be "plugged" into my mind for just a few seconds. I sometimes have to write my thoughts down or speak them out loud to actually make some sense of them. :)

As for the preaching part... That doesn't necessarily have to be bad, does it? Myself, I think I was criticizing something and somewhat trying to offer my view through suggestions of what I think was/is better. If that is indeed preaching... Then preach on brother!

I for one am not afraid of preachers. (Yes, I said "afraid".) I feel that I am fully capable of being able to determine for myself what is good/bad and right/wrong. This could be the issue of blissful ignorance all over again. "Why didn't I just take the blue pill?"

It seems most people out these are afraid. Afraid of what? I guess they're afraid of the change they are able to notice whilst so far away from a certain view point or attitude. Such a drastic (in most cases) change would easily, and in most cases, be considered to be brainwash. And let's just call it that for now.

I'm going to be bringing some points of view here for you, so watch out! (It's going to get weird now!)

It seems like a lot of people are suffering from Theophobia, Xenophobia, Isolophobia, Ideophobia, Sophophobia, Neophobia, Heresyphobia, Allodoxaphobia, Phronemophobia and Fnephobia these days. (Site reference: http://www.sonic.net/~fredd/reverse.html - The Indexed Phobia List. I can recommend this page, it is quite educational. Find a couple of phobias that suit you!)

Seriously... It seems like they're afraid of the simple fact that they can change their minds. This is quite silly, obviously. It's not like you're going to be writhing in agony once you have changed your mind on something. You have a stand. Until you take a new one, that's how it is. Even the most fanatic stances and bliefs can be changed, reversed totally.

For example, say you were a die-hard follower of the Fne-Party and I came to you and told you that by listening to me I could convince you to convert to the Bla-Party by tomorrow, you would probably try to avoid me, or would hear me out, but with extreme bias and prejudice. This, I think, is sad. You HAVE to realize that you and your viewpoints MIGHT not be right and the absolute truth. At least, be open, so other viewpoints have a chance! I mean, if your viewpoint is so right, it should be able to withstand some "onslaught" of another "truth", even if it was biased. By saying biased, I mean that the person "preaching" would be only telling about the good sides of their party. If you simply don't listen, or listen with full resistance, bias and prejudice, logic would suggest you're not too strong on your stance and perhaps it needs some strengthening... Or you need a new stance.

Of course, I can understand how most preachers and people who strongly, adamantly and preachingly preach their views can seem... well, unreasonable. But even better the test. You don't have to convince them of anything... yet, at least. I try to at least listen to what people have to say. If they don't have the courtesy to listen to what I have to say, then that is their problem. I'm definitely not interested in getting into a verbal fight over it. I think a quiet round of discussion would be able to do the trick.

To get back to the party-talk. What if... You actually believed in what I told you? Realized, that this did sound much more reasonable, than what you had believed so far? And from that day became a follower of the Bla-Party instead? And yes, be open and imaginative for a while here and work with me. You'll get the most out of life from being open... At least open enough to be able to present every possible hypothesis. So hypothetically, you were converted here... Now what? Would you be miserable? Would you be dumber than before? Would you be a lesser human for this reason?

Notice that the only thing changed in the situation here would be you, so most likely, the only negative reactions on this sudden change would be people around you, which before had seen you as a Fne-Party supporter. So what's the big deal? Was the mass-mentality aspect actually a valid factor here? Perhaps you didn't dare look at other options, since you were so comfortable in the situation that you were in and with the people currently around you? Nah, I'm sure that had absolutely nothing to do with it. Right?

Then perhaps you just didn't know any better before? Perhaps you really learnt something new about this other viewpoint and this new knowledge really tipped the scales for you? Or perhaps you knew everything already? You knew everything that was inside this other person's heart and mind, their passion and emotions too?

Perhaps you had just jumped into the fray and jumped whichever boat came by, decided it was the best ride, and are now accustomed to it. Perhaps you'd even been indoctrinated to be strong in the beliefs shared by those on the current boat you're on? Perhaps you'd been brainwashed, but just didn't know it? This may sound preposterous, but it's you that will make it sound preposterous if you deny it. I MIGHT afterall be right, and you might also be... Both possibilities ARE there.

Perhaps you don't dare change boats, being too comfortable and secure where you are, and being able to justify your preferred lifestyle by what seems to be the general thinking of that particular boat? How did you get your current lifestyle anyway? Could probably do another Blab about just that, so enough of that for now.

As soon as you have been brainwashed... You will just be onboard that boat.

So what about the people around you? They're the ones that are going to really notice the change, as they've seen you go from one party to another. They're still with the same party, so they're seeing you in a different light now. For them, you have practically gone from black to white overnight. And most likely, they will be somewhat threatened, sad, intimidated and maybe even angered by that, just as you (most likely) were at first threatened/intimidated/angered by this person that converted you. Threatened and intimidated aren't really the ideal words here... Can't think up any others though. But I'm sure you get the point. If not, try harder! (I'm in deep as it is... At least throw me a frigging bone here!) :)

Anyway, what the people around you will be seeing is something they really don't like too much anymore. An "opponent" basically. Of course, I'm taking this example to a bit of an extreme. But I know you're throwing me a bone here, so I will safely move along the line that I'm following already. :)

Most likely, ostracizing will follow, all depending on how the relationship and situation around you was. So I hope you weren't too vocal and passionate about your earlier convictions. And I sure hope you didn't step on anyone along the way. Because what comes around goes around... Right?

Reading what I just wrote, trying to make sense of it, editing it, the conclusion that I'm coming to is that it might be a good idea to always keep an open mind about everything and question everything, most of all yourself. Last but not least: Always consider that you MIGHT not be right in your current stance and opinion, so you won't go out and possibly hurt someone (in some way or another) with your so adamant beliefs. But with your belief, we know you want to share it with others and try to convince them of what you believe is right. Surely, this is done out of good will, trying to share a good thing with others.

Which leads us onto another train of thought. We're going to sidestep from the previous thread for a while and analyze just that: Sharing a good thing with others out of pure and selfless will.

Is it indeed so selfless? If we dig deep into the various layers of consciousness and personality there is a self-serving side to this. About the same self-serving side that makes one feel good when you're offering selfless charity. Basically, you give something to others... Quite selfless, but it makes you feel good. Strange. However, that in itself isn't too simple either. As it isn't just Give = Feel Good. Not everyone feels good about it.

But, I think those who don't feel good about it should think about it again. Notice that you're giving something as generic as money away to make someone else feel good. Money which they badly need... Money which you can certainly spare, if you cut down just that little extra bit on the luxury that is your lifestyle. (Heavily assuming that it is, relatively.)

This doesn't mean that if you start giving you WILL begin to feel good. But, I think everyone in their right mind should be able to see that it's making someone else feel good, and that THAT is a good thing. Therefor they should be happy about it. This is obvious, right?

Not going to judge anyone or anything here... Just wanted to mention that I feel that particular issue doesn't appear to be quite as black and white to me, like most things.

To tie up these 2 threads: Sharing personal convictions, beliefs and joy(?) is done mainly from good will. Think about that, the next time someone tries sharing their convictions and beliefs with you!

Back to the main issue. I think I'm basically preaching against stubborn-headedness and fanaticism (fanaticism n: excessive intolerance of opposing views [syn: zealotry]), and preaching for open-mindedness, concern and compassion for others. At least that is what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to do something good here, according to myself. So that can't be all bad, can it? Especially since I'm not harming anyone in the process??

Or what?

Perhaps this is another low self-esteem issue of mine... Since I don't feel so strongly about myself and consequently don't feel strongly about my views and stances, since I question and doubt almost everything.

Interconnectivety of personal traits. Consequential shaping of self, morals, beliefs and personality. Multi-Step personal change on multiple levels. All this, coming soon (yeah, right) to a Blab near you!

Oh yeah... Something extra I just recently thought up for my Blab #40. (Yes, that's the big Anti-Alcohol one.)

I keep hearing someone saying how he or she thinks Alcohol "allows" them to be themselves more, releasing their restrictions and inhibitions, loosening their "breaks". On the other hand, I sometimes hear excuses about something stupid that was done when someone was under the influence. Some stuff is just being blamed as "Oh, well I was drunk, soooo...". A lot of stupid things happen... A lot of things that are embarrassing too. But when that happens, people are quick to dismiss their blooper with the fact that they were drunk, sooo... While I know it's all about moderation... The fact still remains that most people can't moderate themselves very well all too often. Especially when consuming a substance which serves to loosen the "breaks". There are first steps to every journey.

Just an observation...

Until the next time... Boil on!

Gnug215