Silence is Golden? Screw That!
I keep getting memes that tell us to be calm. Silence is better than arguing with hostile or stupid people. That sort of thing.
You kind of want to agree with these kinds of memes, until you realize that every time an idiot opinion is given, you walk away, or don't respond, they win and are encouraged to become even more idiotic. Or thieving. Or just damn wrong. It's how we got trickle down economics and religion.
Walking away in silence to keep your comfort becomes obeisance and acquiescence to oppression.
“Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the ‘transcendent’ and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Don’t be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will provide plenty of time for silence.” Christopher Hitchens
Mark Twain was right, to a point when he said,"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
But if you refuse to refute the stupid, or the liar, or the thief, they are left holding the only megaphone.
You kind of want to agree with these kinds of memes, until you realize that every time an idiot opinion is given, you walk away, or don't respond, they win and are encouraged to become even more idiotic. Or thieving. Or just damn wrong. It's how we got trickle down economics and religion.
Walking away in silence to keep your comfort becomes obeisance and acquiescence to oppression.
“Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the ‘transcendent’ and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Don’t be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will provide plenty of time for silence.” Christopher Hitchens
Mark Twain was right, to a point when he said,"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
But if you refuse to refute the stupid, or the liar, or the thief, they are left holding the only megaphone.
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