Friday, May 29, 2009

Mean People Suck

I think there isn't enough importance placed on niceness in today's society.  There are too many people getting away with snide remarks and put-downs without consequence, not enough children being taught the importance of kindness and generosity, and far too many adults finding success by meanness and greed.  It's exactly as John Steinbeck once said:
"The things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second."
Of course, I admit I'm guilty in this particular dilemma.  It's not easy to stay nice, especially in the face of adversity or when gain is just a backstab away.  And for that reason, I am trying not only to improve myself as a good-hearted human being, but give praise to those who truly resemble the best qualities of the human being.  And I would ask everyone to do the same.  The next time someone is courteous and kind towards you, thank them.  Thank them for being good, for being a true human being with a thirst for good works.  Because the first step towards a kinder society is setting up a new order.  One where people who do kind things are rewarded, and people who do wicked things receive there just punishments.  
While I have certain qualms with our current economic system (okay, MANY qualms), it does teach us that people are propelled by reward.  So, if someone has something to gain from being a kinder person, even if it's just the warmth that comes from hearing "Thank you" or "You're so kind", they will try harder to be kind.
 This is an honest question to any reader, when is the last time you explained your disdain for another with, "They're just plain mean" or something in the like?  I have a feeling you have said/ heard more recently, "They're so STUPID" or "They're so annoying".  I tell you what, I'd rather hang out with a nice, stupid, annoying, smelly dude, than a mean, good looking, fresh like spring-roses one.  Because the least excusable human fault, I believe, is meanness.   
And we're all guilty of it.  But we're all capable of things so much greater.  

AB

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Dane Cook is what's wrong with us.

I'm taking a break from my usual blogging to cover something I think is very important.

I believe Dane Cook is the least funny comedian on the planet.  I would rather count the wrinkles on my dog's balls than watch this man's comedy.  I would rather be on jury duty than watch this man's comedy.  I would rather go to the DMV then watch this man's comedy.  I...

I think you get the picture.

His comedy has absolutely no depth, no clever bits of insight, and somehow not even punch-lines.  He gets off on running around the stage and yelling.  He's a dick.  He's an ignorant religious zealot.  And he's what's wrong with you, me, this country, and probably most of the planet
There I said it.  You probably hate me now. 
And if he was just unfunny, then I could deal with it.  Not being funny is no crime, (except the fact he makes millions not doing it.)  But I honestly believe he is (or portrays) the worst traits of the human being.  Let me explain.
In his average special, Dane Cook runs around for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour screaming.  About nothing.  It's all just the same garbage material we've all heard before.
And this is a real problem I see amongst people.  We waste words.  We don't value them, because we think we always have more.  We talk over each other to fill in our useless two cents.  All to say something with absolutely no relevance to, well, anything.  No funny, no wit, no truth, no knowledge.  Just mouth garbage flying out your mouth.  And that's Dane Cook.
And then there is the ignorance.  He puts down Atheists.  He talks about how their ideas are stupid, and not even in clever ways.  "You become a tree, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA."  Fuck you Dane Cook.  You're a close-minded psychopath who should be shot in the face.  I'm not an Atheist, but you're not a Christian.  
While you are on paper, you forget the most important bits of Christ's message.  Understanding and acceptance.  Really, you're just a dick.  And you're what's wrong with US.

Reader, thank you for your time.