So, while I find myself stalled on other blog posts in the works, I thought I'd throw out a theme that's been clanking around my brain for a while.
Anger has a life of its own.
Anger often seems to exist prior to something that would cause a person to become angry. It's like anger waits in the weeds, looking for justification to spring its fury
Disproportionate anger, in my experience, is pretty common. I remember the wife of a buddy going ballistic because he brought home the wrong kind of cheese. And I've flipped out over minor things myself. But anger levels are on the rise these days with ever-increasing political and cultural polarization. I see the phenomena most distinctly while participating in online discussion forums: Many people wait around for something that justifies unleashing their anger. Often the offense is quite innocuous and the angry person reads things into a post that aren't there. It's anger looking for reasons to be angry.
Such anger probably originates from individuals' personal experiences -- relationships, workplace interactions, childhood, etc. -- but at some point the anger becomes self-perpetuating. It wants to be invoked. It nudges people toward news channels, websites, podcasts and Twitter accounts that fuel it. Anger becomes a parasite that addicts the host to its venom. The media works to feed the addiction because it generates clicks and views and so promotes a growing cycle of anger. Where will it stop? Can it be stopped?
Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.
--Mark Twain
I tend to agree with Mr. Twain. I have a temper and it can flash intensely at times. But I don't like it. Anger constricts my thoughts and channels my imagination toward ugly scenarios. That's not where I want to be. One thing I've noticed about experiencing anger: It always feels justified. But often enough it really isn't. Recognizing that seems to help dissipate whatever anger I'm feeling. That and the good 'ol technique of breathing deeply and sitting still for few moments.
Twain is undoubtedly correct but the damage anger can do to others is clearly considerable. While there's a lot to be angry about these days, instead of responding angrily, I try to ask myself what is the compassionate response or, more practically, what is the useful response. Flaming someone online who says repulsive things likely isn't going to accomplish much except create more wounds and fuel more anger.
I'll step off the box with a quote from an old, but rather prophetic Oliver Stone movie: *Talk Radio:
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words cause permanent damage.
Michael Wincott as "Kent" in Talk Radio
