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~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)
I would say most of the people I know are good people, but sometimes I think I have a limited understanding. I have crippling social anxiety, and unfortunately that means I am sometimes so worried about my own behaviour that I find it difficult to analyse the behaviour of others. I wonder how much of people trying to be good is just social conditioning, because we are herd creatures and most of us will do anything to not be excluded from the herd.
I also think we are too quick to call people "bad" when there is a personality clash or we just don't get along with them. A lot of times it's easy to just demonise people because you don't get along with them, because understanding their motivations is a more difficult thing to do. Because we are a naturally gregarious species though I think we naturally tend to be empathetic and to want to be kind to others of our species. I have to say I meet few people I think are genuinely cruel or nasty and it's generally very jarring when you do meet those people. I have met a couple of people that, looking back I think were narcissists and instantly wanted to put themselves in a position of authority over you, but I could honestly say I think they are few and far between.
And as someone who does a lot of self reflection as part of a spiritual practice, I think a lot of people would do better to self reflect about their behaviour and how it impacts others. Not because I think everyone should be spiritual, but I think we could all stand to be better towards each other, more understanding and that would quickly create a better world. Have a great day, looks lovely where you are!
i think people inherently are good....cost me a bit in my life...but continue to do so :-)
This post received a 2.4% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @twigg! For more information, click here!
Firstly, good and bad is subjective. What one persons may view as good another person may view as bad. I think that we all know this to be true but I'm just putting it out there.
I've travelled to approximately 70 countries and lived for at least 3 months in 50% of them. My experience is that the vast majority of people are good, or trying to be - there are of course some bad apples everywhere.
When it comes to business (which I've done a lot of around the world) - I've met a lot of bad sharks. A proportionally high number of bad people in-fact. It's amazing to see how money can turn seemingly good people into bad people in the blink of an eye.
The world is telling us to be scared of this and scared of that and this includes people and groups. The outcome is that people are more likely to be divided and less likely to trust the people that they know and meet. Once you realize this and set yourself free from it the world becomes a much better place.
Sure, there is evil all around us and that is most likely not going away. How you to react to it and the people that you engage with, and the causes that you support can make a difference and that is what I try to focus on.
Great question Graham.
I think people are naturally more good than bad(in overwhelming proportion). The reason why we are like that is because we are wired to be social. An association makes sense, like Steve Jobs used to say, when is like Beatles: when the group worth more than the sum of all individuals. This is why the most majority of people have something deeply wired in their brains: empathy. Empathy makes us living and feeling a bit of other people experiences, and we don't want to have bad experiences.
Being social is also making us behaving bad, and some regimes like Nazis or communists were trying to exploit that bad nature. We need to be a part of the group. When the group is in danger we feel that we need to become a part of the group and delegate our power to the group which is usually represented by a leader or a group of leaders. They use that power against what is perceived as a threat for the group(enemies from outside and inside). Those enemies are dehumanized through hate, and they are regarded as simple subjects without emotions and feelings, the empathy is blocked, so any possible crime is possible without remorse against those hatred de-humanized humans.
The problem with delegation is that the individual no longer feel responsible for the acts he empowers because he doesn't do those personally(and in dictatorship once he delegated the power it's too late to get it back).
So my conclusion is that we are wired to be good but we should take care, because we have some really nasty bad monster deeply hidden in us, which takes control if we feed him too much hate.
it's all depends on how a person was raise and who raise him and who surrounds him,
so the TOTAL answer is there is no such thing as GOOD or BAD in NATURE!! :))
Personal experience is that people are both good and bad at the same time depending on what our presence or circumstances brings out in them.
Hitler had a lover.
Gangsters who kill for money or fun or to eliminate enemies have families.
Our army heroes are other countries worst enemies (and vice-a-versa).
I personally know a friend in India who everyone thinks is an arrogant asshole but when we get together, we have the most honest conversations and he will never sugar coat or tell me what I want to hear but tells me what he believes is TRUTH. This many view as 'bad/arrogance' and I think it is Good (rare one at that)...
Say for example, you are a generally good person but I just smack you in the face for no reason, will your MASK of good come off! I believe it will but that doesn't mean behind the mask you were a bad person - you may just be a neutral guy but I instigated that evil/bad side in you by putting you in that situation!
Hey @kafkanarchy84.! You question is very pertinent. But in my opinion we can not generalize and use the overarching statement that "everyone around me is a devil or everyone is an angel". This society is a mix of a little bit of everything I would say. And we'll have to pick names and instances on an individual level to see whether the person is a good one or bad.
Givin you a example of my work place where one one hand there is a colleague of mine who only sees (or willing to see) negativity and faults in anything that comes his way. He is one of the most sadist, insecure and selfish person I have come across. All he wants to do is to earn his brownie points at the expense of putting down everyone else.
And on the other hand there was one of my previous project manager; she is the sweetest person on earth. Always happy, cheerfully and friendly. With no ego whatsoever, even though she was in a role of authority and power. In fact she was a human first and a manager later, unlike most of the corporate managers who believe that people under them are just resources or some letters on an spread sheet.
Long story short, I have seen both sides of the pendulum and hence can't answer you question with a certain yes or a no. Thanks.!! Peace
In my experience, people around me are good people. The rat rate of survival, in an overpopulated country such as ours makes them take some actions which are perhaps selfish but I can tell that they are not happy taking those actions. However, obviously, survival of near and dear ones forces them to that route. Thanks.
In my experience people generally do try to do good for other people if they can. If it doesn't cost too much time, money, or effort they will. I think most "bad" is something that comes out of self interest (not that it is a bad thing) blinding people to the effects they have on others around them. People want or need something and they learn to ignore others around them to get what they want. Few people manage to build awareness of this process as thy go about their lives. Most people actively try to increase their ability to ignore this. So in short, people aren't necessarily bad, they will just only try so hard to be good.
What's up boss, yeah its fu*kin hot here in Las Vegas too... lol
For the past 20 years, I only hang out with people who are different. Not the typical "Average" watching tv, enslaved 9-5 crowd (nothing is wrong with that). I just don't fit in with that crowd.
Most people that I hang out with are entrepreneurs, vision seekers and they have hustle in their hearts... but especially they have to be good people.
chillin with good people, makes my life great..
only hanging arround with good people.
Take care and have a good time in japan
I think that the truly "bad" people stick out like a sore thumb and that people are mostly good. You simply have to reach out to them and show them who you are. Rudeness, stupidity, and violence are easily "seen" kindness and love are often present, but have to be looked for.
In my experience individuals I have meet are good people. All have values, all have expectations from life, themselves, the rest, all want to be happy. The problem I see is when my idea of happiness means that @kafkanarchy84 needs to give up what he considers happiness for him.
What I have seen is the situation people are in sometimes makes them good or bad. If you are happy, you will tend to be good and if you are in a bad situation unknowingly you will behave badly with others. But I wouldn't say its always the case like this.
I find most people that I come into contact with are generally friendly, it's trait most people from my country have. Then again I'm not sure how friendly people from here really are when we are the murder and rape capital of the world. Great question, thanks for the post.
I try to keep all the "bad" people away from me... At least as much as I can, so I can say that people around me are "good". For sure there are a lot of these so called "bad" people everywhere, even in the small city, that I come from, but in my personal opinion they are a very small group. Being "good" or "bad" is strongly individual's choice, so I will be happy to see more people getting from the "good" side of the life and the attitude toward the others.
Stay positive and keep on going!
I won't say the people is bad as such, people try and act in one way in the company of others, but doing something completely opposite when alone or in different circles.
Overall I would say most people act as if they are really good, but some have a really selfish streak to them. With all the BS going on now a days it is not really that straight forward to say if people are either good or bad.
This is just what I have noticed in my community.
Hope you all have a great day.
I surround myself with good people as I am a good person myself. But the truth is even good people have some element of bad in them. That is why we need to forgive alot. Nice little video @kafkanarchy84
I resteemed it because I like your style!
@Steemtruth has spoken the truth. I think the people are god fearing and all the religions want to do one thing - i.e. make the human a better person.
Good question. I'd say good in that most wouldn't wish harm on me, and are willing to be friendly and even supportive, but people are overwhelmingly seeking their own interests. So yes, they are mostly peaceful and helpful but if this doesn't suit their personal situation or advancement, they won't hesitate to harm me.
So in this sense, depending on how people perceive me and their own situations it is entirely possible for the majority to want to harm me, but highly unlikely ;)
I think this may be why I can feel so hedged in or attacked by certain corporations or governments - their goals clash with mine and it would suit their interests to harm me more than help me.
In my personal expirience it really is difficult to answer your question with YES or NO...I mean,in some days,I feel like all the people around me are evil,looking to hurt me,and I feel like I should have stay in bed all day...On other days,people look good,and caring...but as someone said here-I try to spend the day with good people and family,and avoid people that are not good and that would ruin my day
upvoted and followed:) i believe it depends how you present yourself to others and how you initiate contact. Mostly you will find good and bad people. So if you adapt/present to your sorounding i think good things will happen:)
Their exterior is of a good nature. It's actually those people who don't recognize nor have any relationship to dark energies and thoughts which I trust the least. Those that think they are spiritual, which in their minds means pure and kind and gentle I feel are just repressed. So yes most people in my social sphere are good people, but what's needed more is a healthy embrace and acceptance of all aspects of our being and psyche..."good" and "bad".
Know exactly what you mean.
Personally I don't try to label anyone as good or bad because it's all perspective based. I would say most people I surround myself with are peaceful and against violence. I wouldn't rule out violently defending theirs selves, and many of them don't really think outside the box in my experience.
Most people have a good heart but are being influenced to do bad in a world where evil is ruling. And once they get into the habit of doing bad, they become bad people. Yes, most people are bad. Otherwise the world would have been a better place. People don't even want to help you grow.
People here generally do their own thing and allow you to do yours. You're unlikely to get called out by others for doing something antisocial like littering but, should you fall or need assistance people are quick to help.
Of course we have our fair share of chancers, but in general, I'd say people would be more inclined to be benevolent rather than malevolent.
In general I think the people that are around me are peaceful and willing to be helpful..............that being said a lot of people are waking up to the EVIL.
this is my experience toward people around me!!
are they naturally bad or good??
i can't say to you that they are BAD nor GOOD at all!!
i see some people around me are doing good or bad to me, BECAUSE for a reason!! may be for some of my act that they like or not.
there are some also that i can almost say that they are really kind to me no matter how or what i do.??
and also there are people that regardless how much GOOD things that i do for them they still act or reply me with bad act..
so how was that to explain??
THIS IS MY EXPLANATION,
it started with FAMILY when there family has a good tradition on how they manage to interact with others, then expect that person to be more like what his/or family is..
for me!! this is the fact ,,
VOTE ME OR NOT its just my opinion :)) i could be wrong depends on how a person defined your QUESTION :))
I think every one of us believes that we are good or that our actions are 'good', or if not 'good' then 'justified'.
"I'm going to report your barking dog to the police because that will be good for the neighborhood" The dog owner might not appreciate your actions and thus see you as not-a-good-person. I think in my experience people in my community are trying to make our neighborhood a better place, each fulfilling a role and helping as they can. But, we're all doing what will benefit us most on an individual level at the end of the day. We justify both our actions and our apathy and see ourselves as 'good' because, as far as we can tell, we're not busy breaking things down.
i always try to be with good people around me. if i ever come across bad people i usualy just avoid them .. life will see many good and bad people , but when you come across with a good person , always hold his friendship dear to your heart
so most of the individuals have malicious intents, that are hidden due to the stigma of peer and social pressure, there are the odd ones, that truly don't hate people and genuinely try to help others, but those people are too far inbetween the masses that are malevolent, so i do personally belive that interactions person to person, are indeed mostly deceptive and malicious, and given enough time are reviled one by one . i hope that helps your survey p.s gimme that shit
like it... you will always be surrounded by different kind of person... bad or good... its up to you on how you handle or entertain them....
for me i wanted to be surrounded by genuine people... those who will lift me up when im down and will stop me if im doing wrong... someone who will always be my side no matter what happen to me...
I feel that all the people around me are selfish, now if that is good or bad is for anybody to guess. People are very individualistic and set within their own thought frames of a reality formed by their race to an imaginary goal. Fixed ideas , dogmas, religious belief, superstitions, cause a shift in individual mindsets and actions. I don't believe that all people around are there to hurt you but just that they don't really care.
According to my personal views, If I consider today's world, then the philosphy of 'Everyone for himself' do apply very correctly. Now everyone is racing just to get more resources than their peers . No one wants to co-operate with others, rather they try to get benefit from them and then decieve them in the end. Love has been depleted in people's life and only ego remained. Kindness has been replaced by hatred. Sharing has been replaced by selfishness. Day by day world is becoming a dark place and no one wants to commit that, in fact they know in their heart that it's the reality.
These are my views according to individual to individual interactions @kafkanarchy84
Ive met only a small percentage of people who i would consider bad but i think thats easily fixable with some freedom , opportunity and a better understanding that everything is very manipulated and this isnt how the world is supposes to be . Some people have been trapped in much smaller cages in their minds and have just lost it . Even for the ones that are hopeless to change that doesnt mean their kids and grandkids have to end up that way .
I think most are individuals that are part of a social society. Meaning, they help when they can. Of course, it really depends on where you are. Some areas and cultures seem more selfish, and others just downright 'bad'.
For me, we are "good" or naturally drawn to individuals who share the same values with us. It takes a certain level of maturity in my opinion to be "good" and understanding to individuals from another circle.
Great question/survey, @kafkanarchy84! Excited to see what comes of the results. To answer, I am surrounded by pro-active, critically thinking, crypto-trading voluntaryists I definitely consider to be good people. What's your answer to this question? :-)
Thanks, @erikaharris. Everyone I know, with maybe one or two exceptions, when their individual needs are met, want to help others grow, succeed, flourish and experience happiness as well. Also, when babies are fed, they are smiling and snuggling and cuddling and laughing! This seems to be the default! Happiness!
As a European living abroad in Vietnam I might answer different compared to other Steemians. I think people around me always give me this foreigner bonus which is a very nice thing to have. Usually people treat me with a lot more respect, even though I might not even deserve it. Also they seem to be helpful as foreigners are always in a helpless situation (at least in their eyes).
Looking at it from a broarder context, I think people in general are or will be a reflection of yourself. Treat people with respect and you will be respected.
Steem on and friend me @dragonator for a smile in a day!
Generally the first thing people do is to 'take care of themselves ' or 'me first mentality'. Therefore, from this mentality it will determine their action. With this in mind, I think most of us are in the 'bad' category. That is why when we see some random act of kindness by some individuals we applaud their actions because deep down inside us, most of us will not do such a thing.
Most people are inherently good. It's just some may have 'gone bad'. People are shaped by their experiences, upbringing and natural brain chemistry. We all start out 'good' I should imagine, or rather a blank canvas for 'something' to be painted on.
Nothing is our fault per se as we didn't have the choice as kids, but as adults it is our responsibility to learn, grow and do the right thing. This is always subjective, and it could be argued that everyone is always doing what they believe is right in a given moment... which may well differ from others (who would probably act in the same way, given the same set of circumstances).
So, all in all, good in essence but heavily influenced and conditioned by society, media, family, school, work etc... so may make short-term bad judgements... but generally aware and always want to get back to the 'good side'.
Anger, for example is never about the other person, it's about the person with the anger and their frustrations. We all need to relax and play our own game... easier said than done!
Enjoy Japan! :)
In my personal view, people put theirselves first, often others second. Therefore, if they need something badly and it must hurt other people they will do it.
In reverse, if they need to be good to people they would do it too.
Thus explain good guys and bad guys.
Honestly a few years ago I would have answered this question very differently. I would have said of course everyone wants to do good and the people around me want to help, but as I grow up and mature I realized how fucked up people are.
I don't want to let anyone babysit my son because I have no idea who may do something inappropriate to him. We do let close family baby sit him, but so far that has been it. I've hired 4 contractors in the past couple of years and 2 have screwed us and walked away with a small amount of money before finishing the job, 1 has tried to screw us up front and probably screwed us in the end, and 1 has done a good job.
My bad mood today maybe effecting my view as well. I'm just tired of the shit. I'm tired of people treating eachother like shit. The few good people I know in this life however do more than make up for the negative I've expereinced and know others have had it a lot worse.
The people I interact with in my daily life are generally good. However, once in a while I have bad experiences with some of them. For example someone bumps into you and they don't even bother to apologize. I have relatives who talk behind my back or jealous friends who always try to pick a fight once in a while. In conclusion , I think most people are born inherently good , of all humans I would say 10% may be naturally horrible and 90% good. Thanks for sharing
I would say I think it has changed from how it use to be.
I think most people are good and dont atend to be mean.
But in my job I can se a difference from before when it was all about helping each other and support each other. Today its all about Helping if u get something out of it or they wont do it.
And me being a person putting others before myself use to be a good thing but today its like Im not normal.....be a bitch or u wont get anywhere......walk over others if u can bennifit from it.......I could never do that.
Now this is a small amough of people but I come across them more often
Its all about them and their needs.....no compassion.
And worst is the ignorance for people in need.
Like when I went to Stockholm here in Sweden we went to a cafe and were sitting outside and an old man fell and hurt his hand. More than 10 people just walked by him just looking but no reaching hands.......made me cry.
We helped him and he could move his hand and didnt need hospital, he was so gratefull and had tears in my eye......
Thats why a place like steemit is so refreashing
Its all about people wanting the same thimgs and all about helping and supporting each other....So hopefull. So many amazing people
This is the future and how we want our kids to grow up and learn.
There is a saying that our shortcomings are a continuation of our merits.
For example, a very greedy person can be a very good friend. A capitalist who has earned millions of his workers' labor can finance a medical center that will develop a unique medicine. And save millions of hopelessly sick.
And on the contrary, soldiers, heroically fighting for their country, in peaceful life can continue to fight, but already with their own civilian population.
Therefore, there is no unequivocally black or white, every person is good or bad in a particular situation.
It depends. Do these people live off the grid with nature, or in NYC? LOL!
I would say the people I interact with on a day to day basis are mostly good people, naturally that's because of who I choose to surround myself with.
Its a really hard question because there is good and bad in everyone to some degree..but in my personal instance I would say that people are good! I trust all my friends and family 100%
I'm blessed to have been born in Nepal, the land of the Buddha. We Nepalis have a very happy-go-lucky attitude and the way of life her is far less competitive than it might be in developed country.
Yes, we live in poverty. Yes, we are underdeveloped. Yes, we've had political turmoil and bloodshed. But we've learnt to live through disadvantages. We bounced back from a 7.9 richter earthquake in 2014 which took away thousands of lives and destroyed cities and infrastructures. That was followed by a 6 month long embargo on us by a neighbouring country which blocked all our roads in their borders and as a landlocked country, we live in shortage of the very basic necessities like food, fuel and medicine.
But that's so last year. You come to Nepal and all you'll be greeted is positivity and genuine smiles. You get into trouble here and we'll go through leaps and bounds to help you out.
So I think, I am surrounded by really good people. People with controlled ambitions, less malice, reasonable desires and passion to live life gleefully.
PS @kafkanarchy84. Wear a hat boss, looks like the heat is sweltering. You're squinting too much. Not good for the eyes.
First of All i wanna suggest you to wear cap because weather is hot and sunlight is attacking on you bald head like mine. Just kidding.
Ok so my answer for your question is simple & short.
People are good or bad with their behavior & their behavior is pre-set in their mind by God. So they will act as they are programmed by God . Also we will do the same.
Other side some religions are strongly showing their majority. For Example i met two person. one is belongs to my religion & another is my opposite . My Internal feeling will be more for my religion instead of other . This is only just example . Not to hurt any religion. But its also an effect to show good or bad .
Situation also impact about good or bad. For example. If i met some one & same time he is upset with someone . it is possible that he will treat me not good.
& last is simple Do good have good.
Thank you