Breathe, breathe, breathe...
I get pretty frustrated with Steemit at times and I wish I could just shirk responsibility and shitpost like many others it is just that well, integrity. Damn you integrity!!
I don't really care what you say or what you say you believe in, we are defined by our behaviours and as uncomfortable as it is, the behaviours in front of others count for very, very little when it comes to integrity of action.
It is our thoughts and actions when we are alone, when no one is watching, when we think that whatever we do will never see the light of day. It is who we are when by ourselves that speaks to our integrity. The problem of course is that the only one who has to live with it is ourselves.
I have something much more in depth to go into with this later but I do find the hypocrisy of humanity interesting. The people who have changed their tune once money gets put on the table, the ones who hide their face so they can act with impunity.
It is interesting watching what people do when they think that they will never be unmasked. They claim to be hiding from authority but through their behaviours they are hiding so they can be an authority. It is often so they can inflict their various harms on the people just like any other dictator or national government and remove the chance of repercussion. They are oppressors operating in an environment where responsibility of action does not exist.
Anarchists, voluntarists? Unlikely. They just want their piece of the authoritarian pie.
If you can't live your beliefs from behind a mask, they are not your beliefs, they are lip-service designed to manipulate, virtue signals acted out to deceive the audience. But, like an alcoholic hiding a bottle in a brown paper bag in public, the mask comes off when alone, no more need to hide. Keyboard governments.
Ever overlaid your belief systems over your actions to see how much conflict there actually is? We all have conflicts, unless enlightened.. or arrogant. Which are you willing to admit?
It was the best of times it was the worst of times...
The best an illusion, the worst reality? Remove the masks... Let's see.
Breathe, breathe, breathe...
Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]
It's even more interesting watching the contortions we put ourselves through when we think our masks are threatened, the manner in which we twist ourselves this way and that way in order to preserve our 'necessary' illusions.
The effort ... the sheer energy consumed ... a colossal waste, in my opinion.
I gave a similar comment on another post yesterday, I think. I said that in my opinion, how people behave when they're anonymous (by themselves, in a crowd with a mask, online) is how they truly are. My belief is that there's no reason for them to hide who they are because they're already hidden. It's like when you're behind a curtain, there's no need for a mask because you already can't be seen. And without a mask, your true self is revealed. If you're in front of the curtain, everyone can see you so you need to wear a mask if you don't want to reveal who you really are.
So people who act the same (i.e. never wear a mask) whether they're anonymous or not are those who are true to themselves. Those who don't act the same are most likely wearing a mask in one of those situations. And what's more likely, they wear a mask when talking from behind a curtain or when talking while in front of it?
I don't know if that all makes sense but the logic works in my head.
Makes perfect sense to me.
Wow, someone has pushed your button? But you know, humans greatest gift is the ability to lie to theirselves. They pretend that they are doing right, they even say the right words; liberty, equality, honesty, brotherhood, love, community, etc. They give once in a while to support the lie, or it collapses at a closer inspection because it has no substance.
Because they believe their own lie, they do not see that they are doing nothing to turn those words they are so quick to mutter, to actions.
People will do anything to remain comfortable, people will do more than anything to remain rich. This world is a sad, sad place for a lot of people, i tell you.
Very well put! When people believe their own lie it becomes True Lies! This is true double mindedness!
No, I am okay. It is good to get some of what is in the head out from time to time. There is a lot going on in there but, not much useful ;)
I can't speak for anyone else... but Integrity is one of my favorite core values. It was heavily stressed when I served in the Army. Fortunately, it was something I already valued. There is something to be said for those that at least try to practice doing the right thing when nobody is looking. We all fall short, but realizing our shortcomings is an act of humility most are not willing to endure.
I am glad that someone added the next lines. I have never actually read the rest of the book.
It's the longest, most epic sentence EVER! I left off the boring end of that sentence... and don't feel we lost much context! ahhaha
Yes, breathe, but don't hyperventilate. It is as it is, little you can do about it except be different.
Not sure if I can comment on this one as I'm, well @themanwithnoname. Can't get too much more anonymous than that. For me it wasn't so much so I could be a jerk and no one would know who I am. It's that all this is new and I wasn't sure I was ready to have so much information be publicly available. Sometimes I write about real life stuff and I wanted to be able to discuss things in a productive manner without having to worry about someone knocking on my door because they don't like what I said. It's one thing to have a friend circle on FB where your stuff can only be seen by the people you choose (and those who get your information from FB selling it to them... or the leaks). It's another to have personal details (like wallet size) in a public manner for anyone to see. That still makes me nervous.
That being said, I get your point. People should be willing to put their names and reputations behind their beliefs. There are many people nowadays who are no more than ruffians. They claim to be protesting the injustices of others, but they commit more injustices and hide behind masks and anonymity. You hit the nail on the head when you said:
You don't need a name nor a face to be true to your beliefs, just act what you believe. If you act differently, review your beliefs and either adjust actions to fall in line or, change beliefs to fall in line with action. You don't need a face to be true to yourself.
When I say, remove the masks, I mean to stop deluding the self, look into the mirror of that self and own what is there.
Always be true to your self and you can't go wrong.
Lol.... I hope you feel better now?
Yeah, I am fine.
Hello @tarazkp! Kami follow ya.. 8)
Hiding your believes and thoughts is a difficult thing to do, its like not being whole. There are times where I do not tell people about many of my believes and at times I am relieved because I dodge a huge conversation bullet that would piss off everyone lol.
aarrogance, greed, power, everything mixes and there are no good results or at least not in the long run for the consciences.... unfortunately there are things that we will not change, there are everything in the vineyard of the lord
For me I'm willing to admit that sometimes I get too jealous, but however my jealousy is strange, there are people who bend the rules just to be in charge and control things, maybe control money at the expense of other, I'm always jealous of their dubious success
Masks are a defense mechanism for insecurity, hard to judge people for using it. Being integrous is a privilege we rarely have. Thank god for Steemit to speak our minds.
I have a secret account which I'm using only for shitposting. It's awesome - you notice how quickly you get tired on shitposting.
Yeah, I haven't been able to manage it really. At least not to quite the same levels as some seem to do. It destroys my soul when I have tried.
The shitposting account? Well that's the thing. I have the shitposting account so I know I can shitpost easily whenever I want, but I actually want it quite rarely.
It's encouraging. ;)
For sure, we all make mistakes in life. It's how you handle those mistakes and your efforts not to repeat those mistakes that allow you to keep improving yourself over time.
Sadly we spend a lifetime trying to become better people, then in the end leave the world to the youth who need to learn all the lessons we already learned for themselves. Hopefully a small part of this wisdom can be passed along from generation to generation to allow humanity to progress.
Perhaps too much and they take it for granted.
that lake is glass. i wanna get out there
Heroes need masks. Sometimes a lot is at stake to include the lives of our children. I do not fault some of my friends for wearing a mask. My fight is in the open, and I accept the risks that it brings. Some people don't and protect their identities. I'm not sure if this is what you meant or not?
I've known people who faked their beliefs and life long objectives for years to obtain their desires. You don't have to wear an actual mask to hide your true objectives. This is why I focus on people's actions under stress the most.
If they are not who they say they are, you'll eventually see cracks in the illusion they have been presenting to you.