Arguments

1195: 

When there’s a controversial subject like Animal Rights, we can’t very easily discuss the pros and cons, mainly because there are so few pros.  We argue about it, sure, but get nowhere - this is usually a good example of how we relate ‘toxically’ with each other.

Instead of discussing things rationally, allowing even the least well-formed opinions to be considered, we fight.  Our feelings get bruised, egos get hurt, and we end up ‘not-speaking’.  How many carnivores do we know who are not into discussing this subject with us?  How many times do we feel as though we want to win at any cost, ending up with ‘them’ not liking ‘us’ for the way we argue our case?

Of course, none of this might matter, if we could let it all float over us.  If we could accept that: “what others think about us is none of our business”, then, we’d almost welcome the opposition with which they provide us.  For at least it’s better than indifference and apathy.  It’s often good to have something to spar over.  But here’s the trick of it.  It’s when we disagree and break that bond we’ve always had with a person, when we start to get ‘personal’, that things get out of hand.  We bring in emotions best left out of the picture, best left out of friendships, where even a momentary wobble in connection is hinting of possible collapse.

It’s a matter of steering clear of that ‘line’; when we sense that a certain line has been crossed and NOTHING can repair the damage of it.  A whole friendship can end when we get judgemental, self-defending or start to take umbrage.