Some people are stupid.
Like, really stupid.
Dumb as a box of hammers stupid.
Let’s just accept it.
You see them on Facebook. You see them on Twitter.
They are posting stuff that simply isn’t true. And why?
For the love of Fig Newtons, why won’t they just fact check?
You probably work or go to school with some. Or they’re family.
Maybe you discuss stuff with them. And they double down on the stupid.
And those really stupid people think we are the stupid ones. No amount of scientific data or peer-reviewed scholarly papers are going to birth them into the world of facts.
I’m not sure when last our country was so partisan. Possibly during the civil war. I’m also not sure when partisan politics started to override facts.
I’ve employed several strategies over the last two years to address these people in my own life. You’ve probably tried the same ones.
First I raged and tried to point out hard truths.
Then I started cutting people out of my life.
Then I tried kindness. And then pity.
And then I RAGED AGAIN!
None of these things have had any effect.
So I decided to just be me. To live a certain kind of way.
I can’t change people and make them better or make them into who I think they should be.
I can’t make someone care about other people or realize that we are all in this together.
But I can lead by example. I can share my time with those that find value in my skills. I can donate money to the important causes.
I can vote.
I can contact my elected officials and let them know my thoughts.
I can speak up and tell a dirtbag guy that the way he’s talking to a woman is inappropriate.
Because at the end of the day, things are going to be what they are going to be.
All we can do is our best.
And I am still bitter.
But, here we are.
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