Contemplating the Mysteries of the World - Part 3: Respect
First published: Tuesday October 5th, 2021
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Why Do Some People Lack Basic Concern for Others?
This one could spark some interesting discussion. I have always found it hard to figure out why people just cannot be nice to one another. Think about it, we are all people with different interests, why is it automatically assumed that people are going to be mean to others. No one likes it, so why do people do it to begin with. The entire concept of being 'popular' in secondary school revolves around being mean to the 'weird' kids, but why? Who started this trend and why is it still commonplace in schools around the western world? Why do social groups need to exist based on how 'cool' someone is? I know that I occasionally wasn't the nicest person to certain people, but that was usually because that person did something to me to start. That is the exact concept that puzzles me. Why do people even feel the need to be a jerk to someone who has been nothing but nice to them, and why do people naturally feel the need to retaliate.
While I am on the subject of judgement, why do we even care what others think of us? When did the concept of social disapproval gain power over our personal thoughts and feelings. As kids we are told that we should care what others think, but why does this even need to be mentioned? Why is it our first instinct to constantly consider how others will perceive our actions, clothing, or words? Why can't we just let other people be themselves and stop the judgement so no one needs to worry about it again. Okay, I think I am done ranting about a social construct.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Rosie.
You see, as kids, our minds were like a blank paper, waiting for information to be filled in gradually. Most people that ended up being jerks at school generally took up the toxicity they witnessed as a child. Eventually, as we enter school, this evolves into an epidemic as more and more kids end up experiencing what they didn't have to, unfortunately.
Good thing though, is that some people, including me, never gave a crap and was never hurt by any of this.
As for adults, I think it stems from insecurities. If a person is insecure about something, then they could put other people down to think of themselves as the better person to maybe cancel out their insecurities. In a way it's very similar to the juvenile version. It's all about raising themselves up on the social hierarchy.