This non-sequitur image will make since when you read the post 😉
The Parable of the Donkey and the Tiger
(or how to argue with people on social media)
[***DISCLAIMER: This is something I am working on, working towards and have not perfected and may not ever***]
It’s at this time I’d like to share with you The Parable of the Donkey and the Tiger*.
[*SOURCE: https://www.livetpg.com/1-minute-matters-the-parable-of-the-donkey-the-tiger/]
The donkey told the tiger, “The grass is blue.”
The tiger replied, “No, the grass is green .”
The discussion became heated, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration, so they approached the lion.
As they approached the lion on his throne, the donkey started screaming: ′′Your Highness, isn’t it true that the grass is blue?”
The lion replied: “If you believe it is true, the grass is blue.”
The donkey rushed forward and continued: ′′The tiger disagrees with me, contradicts me and annoys me. Please punish him.”
The king then declared: ′′The tiger will be punished with 3 days of silence.”
The donkey jumped with joy and went on his way, content and repeating ′′The grass is blue, the grass is blue…”
The tiger asked the lion, “Your Majesty, why have you punished me, after all, the grass is green?”
The lion replied, ′′You’ve known and seen the grass is green.”
The tiger asked, ′′So why do you punish me?”
The lion replied,
That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because it is degrading for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with an ass, and on top of that, you came and bothered me with that question just to validate something you already knew was true!”
The biggest waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn’t care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions.
Never waste time on discussions that make no sense. There are people who, for all the evidence presented to them, do not have the ability to understand. Others who are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and the only thing that they want is to be right even if they aren’t.
When IGNORANCE SCREAMS, intelligence moves on.
So the question I have for you and have been asking myself a lot is, who am I talking to right now? Is this a donkey? Am I the donkey? Don’t be this tiger. Remember what the lion said, “it is degrading for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with an ass.”
So how do you argue with people on social media?
Apply the The Parable of the Donkey and the Tiger to every interaction. Also might make a ton of sense to bring this to real life as well. Will come in handy at Thanksgiving dinner.
If you recognize you’re dealing with an ass, just move on. Play that song from Frozen if you need to, just let it go. If your inner tiger (ego) fires up and insists on pursuing this because they’re wrong and therefor you are right, go ahead and put yourself in time out. 3 days of silence never hurt nobody. Might mean you need to take a break from social media…
Creator or Consumer. Spectator or Player. Which one will you be?
If you’re on social, you can be a player or a spectator. Choice is yours but, I’d rather be a player because when you break down the word spectator you get “spec” and “tator”. Now I don’t know about you, but I am not just a spec nor a tator so… again, up to you.
Look to improve the experience, content and the conversation on social. Don’t just consume and judge. Contribute. Even a little bit helps. And whatever you do, don’t be a donkey!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/111753058048352347213/posts