bAbblegum 2

"They find fault in one sitting silently
They find fault in one speaking much
They find fault in one speaking in moderation
No one in this world is not found at fault
There has been, there is, and there will be NO person who is ONLY criticized or ONLY praised."---The Buddha(Dhammapada)

The above quote, is important......because in debating or arguing a point recently, I've realized that ya can't take it personal, and that even though you might not take it personal.....some will. People need their security in beliefs, ideas, etc. People fight for the megaphone and steering wheel....in order to steer society in the direction they feel secure about. That's what we do.......or we sit back and watch everyone else do it. Sometimes we comment on how well they're doing.

The truth is no one can change places with anyone, and we're all doing the best we can with what we've got to work with. If someone says they'd do something different than what you've done, tell them that they'd do exactly what you did,.......because they'd be adding things up just the same if they were you. Really, its impossible to switch places, but for those who still want to say things, use that one. It's hard to please everyone.....just like the quote says.

Debate is a great tool for self-discovery.......things bubble up.....& you see yourself, your views you forgot you had. You see that there are still emotional attachments to ideas, points of view. That's a great time to sort things out, and see what the goal is when it comes to debating, or passing on information. What are the goals of the things we do? It goes back to the "carrot" being the hidden reason for actions. They reinforce the sense of who we want to become, or they define us by what we oppose. We need to "point our" fingers as on the movie Scarface....in order to define ourselves. Anyway......I'm babbling..but I hope this post helps someone, somehow.

A good friend mentioned "knowing your enemy" to me this morning. He was talking about knowing/researching the "other side" of the debate and being ready for them to make their move. He's twice my age, and has run for office in the past. He's a lot more political than myself.......although I've had interest in knowing what ideas are competing for the steering wheel.

ABOUT DEBATE: My thoughts are that the most important thing is not to take personally anything about the facts. Secondly, debate in order to get to the truth, not merely to reinforce a point of view you "wish" for the truth to be. (talking to myself all through this)

The next thing would be to state up front your intentions is to get to the truth, not to reinforce your own opinions by shaping/changing facts in order to be "right." Understand that the other parties may cling to their ideas as a form of "security." The problem with things is that there are facts.....the truth in facts.....they cut through the bull.....but, if you cut through the bull by using facts and ALSO getting personal(attack), you're creating an opening for the other side & poisoning the facts.....and veering from the goal of finding the truth.

The goal is to commune and find out the truth. We just have to ask ourselves in debate, "what is the goal?"

Credibility is important......just keep in mind, the quote from the beginning. People give you credit/credibility and sometimes see you as an authority depending on the situation. If you wanted to find or present important facts that would help people, you can taint the argument by making it personal. Maybe not in your mind, but remember, "cred" is in their minds. If a child catches you in a contradiction, .......they'll bring it up every time they're trying to get their way, even though your argument is basically, "do as I say, not as i do."

"Credibility".......is still the "middle man" of transmitting facts and/or ideas. It exists in the minds of others. So its best not to step on toes so quickly, even if you feel your facts are correct. Transmitting facts to people who don't like your tone or delivery, will poison your efforts to help. The only way to find out things is trial and error(whether your error or someone elses). The quote at the start really points out that basically, people are going to see what they're going to see.....in everything and in everyone.


Here are some quotes about "making mistakes":
He [or she] who makes no mistakes, makes nothing. --[can't remember who]

Never say, "oops." Always say, "Ah, interesting." ~Author Unknown

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. ~Elbert Hubbard, The Note Book, 1927

If you don't make mistakes, you're not working on hard enough problems. And that's a big mistake. ~F. Wikzek

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. ~John Powell

If a mistake is not a stepping stone, it is a mistake. ~Eli Siegel

As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes. ~Mel Brooks

Our blunders mostly come from letting our wishes interpret our duties. ~Author Unknown

Admit your errors before someone else exaggerates them. ~Andrew V. Mason

In the game of life it's a good idea to have a few early losses, which relieves you of the pressure of trying to maintain an undefeated season. ~Bill Vaughan

A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery. ~James Joyce, Ulysses

From the errors of others, a wise man corrects his own. ~Syrus

If you shut your door to all errors truth will be shut out. ~Rabindranath Tagore, Stray Birds, 1916