Those that like philosophy might enjoy reading Nietzsche’s book “Beyond Good and Evil”. In that classic piece the author states something that goes like this: “When you deal daily with monsters you have to be careful not to become a monster yourself”, immediately followed by “If you look to long into the abyss, the abyss looks back into you”. This is the danger faced by those that don’t so some serious introspection of their attitudes every now and then. Regrettably this attitude has been and is currently being reinforced. How? through karma. Karma is a well intentioned idea but regrettably misused by a lot of people. High karma means high impact among peers and not necessarily good guy. Regrettably lots of folks love drama and will reward ruthless behavior. The problem with ruthless behavior is that for it to maintain its effectiveness the poster has to escalate it constantly. Similarly he/she also has to spread karma around among those that like his/her posts. Thus it is essential for the poster to know who rewarded him/her. In short the system rates individuals according to popularity which doesn’t necessarily mean good guys. We all know popularity can go either way. But in general and due to human nature people like ruthless, outrageous posters who shake them to their very core. Karma is about power, the more you have the more powerful individuals with low self esteem feel. Of course, they are “valued” above their peers. People can rob lots of things, snakes, but also human respect and dignity. When you rob a person of the latter there’s no incentive for them to improve. If redemption is impossible what do they have to lose? Why attempt to improve if nothing they do is good enough? Just remember “When you deal daily with monsters you have to be careful not to become a monster yourself”, and If you look to long into the abyss, the abyss looks back into you”. Just some ramblings from an old poster, happy karma everyone!
Interesting post. I suppose it could be interperated in several ways.
One might wonder if your life is in order.
If redemption is impossible what do they have to lose?
Some believe that nothing is impossible, so if you give up, you have defeated yourself. I believe redemption is always possible, but some may have to work at it harder than others. I think everyone will agree, life isn't fare.
Why attempt to improve if nothing they do is good enough?
Who sets the standards? Do you set your standards, or do you let someone set those standards for you? If you set your own standards then it's you who decides what is or isn't good enough. If someone else is setting the standards, and they are too high, then you have to ask why. If they are unreachable, then you move on.
Regrettably this attitude has been and is currently being reinforced. How? through karma. Karma is a well intentioned idea but regrettably misused by a lot of people. High karma means high impact among peers and not necessarily good guy. Regrettably lots of folks love drama and will reward ruthless behavior. The problem with ruthless behavior is that for it to maintain its effectiveness the poster has to escalate it constantly. Similarly he/she also has to spread karma around among those that like his/her posts. Thus it is essential for the poster to know who rewarded him/her. In short the system rates individuals according to popularity which doesn’t necessarily mean good guys. We all know popularity can go either way. But in general and due to human nature people like ruthless, outrageous posters who shake them to their very core. Karma is about power, the more you have the more powerful individuals with low self esteem feel. Of course, they are “valued” above their peers.
Anything can be misused, and karma is no exception. Who decides what is or isn't abuse? You may view something as abusive, and someone else might see it as something that should be rewarded. Who's right, and who's wrong? If I give someone karma for a post, then I'm right, and on the other hand, if you don't give that same post karma, then you are right. You are assuming that if Jane Doe gives me karma, that I'm going to turn around and give her karma right back. That's not true, I have given out karma to people, and never gotten karma back from them, and I have gotten karma from people, and have not given it back to them. So to say that karma is based on the buddy system, is just false.
Drama is one of the things that makes life interesting. Every single person has some kind of drama in their life, in one form or another, some more then others. Look at how many people watch day time soap operas. Why do you mix ruthlessness and drama together? You can have one without the other. Sometimes people need to be shaken to their core, especially if their is a lot at stake. Depending on what it is, it could be costly if things go bad, and have a bad affect on other people lives. If you want to mess with your own life, go right ahead, but be careful if you mess with others. I don't know about others, but I don't make post's with the intentions of receiving karma, but if I do get karma, then I am thankful for it. I don't revolve around it, and it doesn't revolve around me.
“When you deal daily with monsters you have to be careful not to become a monster yourself”
Very true. And it can be a thin line to walk as well. It usually happens gradually, so it's not always easy to realise that you have become what you always set out to conquer. Eventually though, you will fall.
and If you look to long into the abyss, the abyss looks back into you”
I think for that to happen, you would have to be one lonely person.
This was fun. What's next?
This is fun!
