BadThink
Similar unto a blank of steel destined to become a blade...it must be hammered. It must be beat into shape, all the weak spots need be discovered and repaired, and it must be tempered.
Thus...the devils advocate.
I play that role on occasion. When I’m bored or need diversion.
It’s been said that I ‘stir the pot”. I’ve been accused of setting up a discussion and “let’s you and him fight.”.
Guilty as charged.
Once...in a mythical place far, far away and long, long ago, at the dawn of the internet. There was a place.
The rule was…(mostly).
“Attack the argument...not the person or the organization making the argument.”
Sadly..most people, it would seem, are incapable of doing that.
I’ve suffered from it. A year or so back I was being devil's advocate to an idea. I forget what. All I recall is that I was getting whupped like a redheaded stepchild. I was wiggling, dodging and squirming like a worm. It did no good. They destroyed me. If I recall..their argument was correct. I was being the devil’s advocate for Bad Think.
I had, however committed the unpardonable sin. I’d strayed from the herd. I’d dared to commit...original thought. I’d dared to think on my own. I’d championed the unclean. I’d questioned holy writ.
How DARE me!!!
Not allowed.. They destroyed ME. They didn’t seem to care too much about my ARGUMENT..they attacked ME. I found stuff about me, and my parentage, that would surely have shocked my mother. When it was over I had been blocked from numerous ‘friends” lists. Apparently I was such a bad person that I could not be allowed to pollute them with ‘bad think’.
I learned something that day. I’m still digesting it. The lesson is repeatedly reinforced. I’m a slow learner when it comes to “friends” and being stabbed in the back.
Enemies are at least honest enough to meet you head on and fight. Only your ‘friends” can get behind your defenses and slip the blade between your ribs.
It’s happened several times since then. You’d think that I would learn?
Nope...not me. ‘Stubborn ‘R Us’ or me...or I...or something.