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by conductr 954 days ago
I get what the author is trying to convey but for me, I find avoiding sources of offense leads to a happier life. Primarily, this means low social media consumption. I spend about 15 minutes a week catching up with the happenings of my family and a few actual friends. I try to ignore the rest, but even when I see something I disagree with or take offense to, I just don’t engage. I also try to mirror this in meatspace. I certainly like a debate with certain people, it’s a great conversation. But most people I find just like to argue and will stand their ground until death even when faced with evidence/proof/reason of the contrary. I don’t need that type of debate. I’m always willing to admit I may be wrong or have outdated/incomplete information and a lot of people just don’t engage on that same level. I suppose this represents the “shutting down” but why would I continue a conversation where someone is obviously having strong convictions and I believe it’s absolute rubbish (based on lies, wrong facts, regurgitated news media opinions as truths, etc)
2 comments

I feel like I could have written this exact comment. Most arguments just aren't worth it. You have to know that the other person has this same approach (willingness to see another point of view, plus manners) or else it's just not worth it. Pretty often I'll offer a "disagreement" and if I'm not satisfied that my debating partner is listening, that's it, I'm out.

For the article, I'm ok with the message, but the title is just clickbait. You don't need to get offended more, you just need to be aware of when you are and try to figure out why.

thanks for the click ;)
> I find avoiding sources of offense leads to a happier life.

I was talking politics with my girlfriend last night and I made pretty much the same point, though more pointed at politics. My argument is that really the most important things in one's life is family, friends and your local community, everything else (such as national politics) might as well be a game show called "news" that everyone tunes into every day.

If you decide to tune into that game show every day, make sure you keep it at "arms length", getting too close will make you go crazy.

"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."
There's a difference between paying no attention to politics at all and avoiding getting wrapped up the angry day-to-day drama where you pay a large emotional price but your input matters zero.