From "rights" to duties, Team dream edition
Yesterday's discouragement was specifically caused by an attempt to participate in a discussion with people who are long-time online acquaintances in the Poser graphics area. I tossed in a comment that seemed to be on-topic and helpful, and the others ignored it. Walked around it like politely avoiding a turd on the sidewalk.

This is a well-known phenomenon online. Team A and Team B are discussing a topic with specific rules. If you want to get into the game, you have to play ON one of the teams. It doesn't matter if your comment is true or helpful; if it's outside the shared lies, it will be AT BEST ignored and USUALLY smashed to the ground.

I got off easy this time, but I ought to know better. I've been watching this mess for 30 years and I know by now that I'm not a team player. Introverts can't be. Introverts don't NEED human conversation, which means we don't develop the skills of team play and we don't really like it. We won't make the necessary sacrifices. Every now and then we forget and try to jump in, with perfectly predictable results.

= = = = =

Tonight's dream presented three variations on the same theme. The first was a reference to a real-life incident in the distant past; the second was restaurant work; the third was high-speed driving. In each case I was invited to take part in a job or activity that I couldn't do well and didn't enjoy. In each case I quit before the disaster got worse. The dream added words to the quit: "Sorry, folks, I don't know how to do this. You'll have to find someone else."

= = = = =

Replacing "rights" with duties. The "Enlightenment" falsely informed us that we are all identical, with identical and unlimited abilities. We have a "right" to do anything we choose, to be anything we choose. In reality we have unique and limited abilities, and we have DUTIES. Life is an infinite gift. We have a DUTY to answer the gift by making more life, more beauty, more value.

I have developed a small set of skills to make more beauty and value, and I know the results of those skills are valued and appreciated in a small way. I shouldn't waste even the slightest effort on tasks that are outside my duties.

Labels: From rights to duties

  ¶ 12:21 AM