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> ... the first thing they need to do is take responsibility for who they are. Actually, you might want to look in the mirror a bit, buddy. I'd have agreed wi
by xelxebar 8y ago
> ... the first thing they need to do is take responsibility for who they are.
Actually, you might want to look in the mirror a bit, buddy.
I'd have agreed with your sentiment in the past, but now it reads as pretty self-righteous. Defining a person by some subset of their behavior is a specific, moral judgement not a factual description.
For a lot of people experiencing depression, it's exactly the kind of 'advice' that's likely to ramp up feelings of worthlessness and suicidal thoughts.
Personally, I find it more empathic and relevant to affirm the person and judge the consequences of an action.
- anigbrowl 8y agoMental illness, just like drug use, is no excuse for poor behavior unless someone is subject to actual delusions. I'm not blaming him for having a substance abuse problem or wasting his life, I fel plenty of empathy for those issues. It's the violent aggression toward other people that I take issue with.
- xelxebar 8y agoThanks for the reply. I think we're sort of on the same page, at least with respect to opposing Neal's violent behavior What I take issue with and find counter-productive is comingling the judgement of a person with the judgement of their (circumstantial) behavior. I'm guessing that your original post was a strong reaction against the violence, but I also feel there's room to accept the person while still rejecting their behavior. Anyway, cheers. Hope you have a good day.