Did You Shit Yourself?
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:53 am
When we were born, we were unaware of the idea that we don't have to shit, involuntarily, at any given moment. But, we were trained, and we learnt, that we could choose when to shit. And, yet, the world is full of grown adults shitting their pants, in public, on a daily basis.
I watched England's dramatic semi-final win against Denmark on Wednesday night. In the past, England would have crumbled. But the manager, and the team, chose not to shit themselves. They have developed a respect for each other based on understanding and celebration of what we have in common while also respecting and valuing difference. Can we claim the same 'clean pair of pants' for the fans who booed the Danish national anthem and the taking of the knee?
How often have you instantly reacted to a Facebook post and then realised (or been told) that the post is several years old? How often have you succumbed to an instant emotional reaction without knowing any of the complexities that inevitably exist around an issue? I know I've done that more than once. I know it was my choice to do so, and I've learnt that it's my choice not to do so. I don't have to shit my pants in public. A few weeks ago, a friend shared a 'meme' that compared WW2 veterans marching down Whitehall to a BLM march down the same street. You already know the punchline. I asked my friend, who I love and respect very much, what value he thought that the original poster of that meme was bringing to the world. Does our love for one group of people have to be at the expense of another group? Is life really a zero sum game?
When Lindsay suggested, at The WAM, that he would exhibit at Kegworth if a reduced cost day-only rate could be accommodated, the shitting of pants was instant and widespread. 'An insult to the good members of the WAM and an existential threat to the whole show'. No recognition of Lindsay's contribution to the WAM over many years, no mention of the years when he exhibited at Scalford, no understanding that Lindsay is someone who has contributed his time to many bake-offs. Numbers for the show in October are looking difficult. What was more of a threat...Lindsay's different view of affordability or the instant emotional incontinence that shuts down ideas? Why wouldn't we want an enthusiast show to be as inclusive as it possibly could be? Lindsay described the episode as an 'interesting psychological experiment'...a reaction which appears, to me, to be an excellent example of NOT shitting yourself.
When I did the 'Hi-Fi Foo Fight' blog, there were just a few people who complained that they were offended, either for themselves, or on behalf of others. I suggested that best way not to be offended, was to choose not to be offended. Your offense is your choice, not mine. I was hoping you might have a laugh...at yourself, or at me. It must be a miserable, shitty world where you can't laugh at yourself.
Most recently, I was pleased to receive an apology from Alan (firebottle) about his BMU postings, and I was pleased that Oliver (bigman80) chose to delete the thread from his forum. I'd have been more pleased if they had chosen to speak with me first, of course. Thinking before you shit can save a lot of hassle, but more importantly it can engender honesty, mutual respect and understanding. In the great scheme of things, I have no axe to grind with either of them; they are hi-fi enthusiasts. They both still have membership, here. Even the HFS member who declared at AOS that “Jesus fucking wept! You could destroy earth with that thing” still has membership here. We'll post you a new pair of Calvin Kleins, Shane.
The upside of not shitting your pants in public is not just a reduction in laundry bills. By choosing not to shit ourselves we open ourselves to understanding of others, self-awareness and new opportunities. I find that people who are able to choose not to shit themselves are more worthwhile to listen to. They tend to have ideas and attitudes that go beyond the obvious, and often beyond what has already gone before.
Social media has the potential to be a 'world wide web' of understanding and learning...when we have learnt not to shit ourselves.
I watched England's dramatic semi-final win against Denmark on Wednesday night. In the past, England would have crumbled. But the manager, and the team, chose not to shit themselves. They have developed a respect for each other based on understanding and celebration of what we have in common while also respecting and valuing difference. Can we claim the same 'clean pair of pants' for the fans who booed the Danish national anthem and the taking of the knee?
How often have you instantly reacted to a Facebook post and then realised (or been told) that the post is several years old? How often have you succumbed to an instant emotional reaction without knowing any of the complexities that inevitably exist around an issue? I know I've done that more than once. I know it was my choice to do so, and I've learnt that it's my choice not to do so. I don't have to shit my pants in public. A few weeks ago, a friend shared a 'meme' that compared WW2 veterans marching down Whitehall to a BLM march down the same street. You already know the punchline. I asked my friend, who I love and respect very much, what value he thought that the original poster of that meme was bringing to the world. Does our love for one group of people have to be at the expense of another group? Is life really a zero sum game?
When Lindsay suggested, at The WAM, that he would exhibit at Kegworth if a reduced cost day-only rate could be accommodated, the shitting of pants was instant and widespread. 'An insult to the good members of the WAM and an existential threat to the whole show'. No recognition of Lindsay's contribution to the WAM over many years, no mention of the years when he exhibited at Scalford, no understanding that Lindsay is someone who has contributed his time to many bake-offs. Numbers for the show in October are looking difficult. What was more of a threat...Lindsay's different view of affordability or the instant emotional incontinence that shuts down ideas? Why wouldn't we want an enthusiast show to be as inclusive as it possibly could be? Lindsay described the episode as an 'interesting psychological experiment'...a reaction which appears, to me, to be an excellent example of NOT shitting yourself.
When I did the 'Hi-Fi Foo Fight' blog, there were just a few people who complained that they were offended, either for themselves, or on behalf of others. I suggested that best way not to be offended, was to choose not to be offended. Your offense is your choice, not mine. I was hoping you might have a laugh...at yourself, or at me. It must be a miserable, shitty world where you can't laugh at yourself.
Most recently, I was pleased to receive an apology from Alan (firebottle) about his BMU postings, and I was pleased that Oliver (bigman80) chose to delete the thread from his forum. I'd have been more pleased if they had chosen to speak with me first, of course. Thinking before you shit can save a lot of hassle, but more importantly it can engender honesty, mutual respect and understanding. In the great scheme of things, I have no axe to grind with either of them; they are hi-fi enthusiasts. They both still have membership, here. Even the HFS member who declared at AOS that “Jesus fucking wept! You could destroy earth with that thing” still has membership here. We'll post you a new pair of Calvin Kleins, Shane.
The upside of not shitting your pants in public is not just a reduction in laundry bills. By choosing not to shit ourselves we open ourselves to understanding of others, self-awareness and new opportunities. I find that people who are able to choose not to shit themselves are more worthwhile to listen to. They tend to have ideas and attitudes that go beyond the obvious, and often beyond what has already gone before.
Social media has the potential to be a 'world wide web' of understanding and learning...when we have learnt not to shit ourselves.