Idiots and Identities

In my short 18 years of tenure on this planet I have stumbled upon an almost foolproof way to determine if a person is worth having a lengthy debate with.

It’s quite simply really.

If they begin to get offended 5 minutes into a conversation whenever you bring up radical views regarding homosexuality, religion, drugs; any controversial topic really, you would do better 99% of the time saving your breath.

Why?

People with no awareness of their self-worth; be it present or not, have a tendency to base their entire identity on something extrinsic.

They will proudly slap a label on themselves stating that they are a “feminist”, “social justice warrior”, “environmentalist” or even something as general as a “good person” [probably a mindless moralist] etc. Heck, this even applies to the fitness world too: people will often label themselves “bodybuilders” and shit on all things power-lifting; and supposed “power-lifters” will shit on all things bodybuilding as well.

This extrinsic identity gives them a sense of purpose and belonging; things that they require to lie to themselves about their self-worth.

Therefore, when you begin to attack such a topic, you are essentially declaring war on their self-worth and identity.

Thus, instead of pausing to absorb and process your point of view, they choose to instead go into a knee-jerk reaction to become “triggered” and “offended.”

“I can’t believe you just said that!”

“Oh my god you are a ______-ist!”

“I‘m disgusted by you.”

Yada yada yada yada.

This applies to matters of faith as well, although I would exercise some caution and avoid opening that can of worms.

Lol at the sordid state of matters in the world today.