Conscious or subconscious, to:
1. Use your wit/intelligence/insight
2. Communicate your values/conviction
3. Engage in collective activity/be in an in-group
4. Vent!
None of these in the appropriate degree or circumstance are bad things. But, unfortunately snark also is counterproductive to having vulnerable conversations with people. And therein lies the rub: most people do really want that, but because diving in to the lion’s den with your fuzzy lambswool on is a wild move, it’s easier to put on your lion-skin and go snark mode. People would likely be more fulfilled participating in spaces where they can be sincere and mutually respectful. But often they either don’t know where to look, or they’re entrenched with the band-aid validation they’re getting from their snark zones.
May 8, 2024
Related Recs
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where people are afraid to connect in a genuine way for fear of rejection. but also it serves as a more socially acceptable outlet for the impulse to engage in cruelty (especially for women). People often justify this behavior with the rationalization that the target of their ire is morally impure or has committed wrongs against others, or that the ‘snarkers’ are doing a public service as somebody has to knock these people down a peg. I also think people want to be critics but don’t understand the true value of criticism. I do sense a changing tide so here‘s hoping
May 8, 2024
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it feels like across the board everyones worst fear at the moment is being seen as naïve...i guess snark is a way of insulating yourself from this
May 9, 2024
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Remember that, smart alecks!
Some more of my core guiding principles around this idea:
Truth and fact are two sides of the same coin.
They are interconnected but not interchangeable.
On a similar note:
Truth is complex and often paradoxical.
If you think you can lay it out in black and white terms, sorry bud – you don’t have a handle on it. The capacity to hold space for seemingly conflicting ideas is essential. That means letting go of the idea that your truth is the truth.
Critique something/someone only from a place of understanding
^ did a whole rec on this. To add to it: if you spend a lot of time criticizing those who you disagree with, whose benefit is it for? Mainly it’s a signifier to those who you do agree with that you’re part of the same in-group. That’s fine and it has its place, but constructively challenging the views and behaviors of those within your own community (including yourself!) is much more valuable.
And on that note:
Understanding ≠ condoning
Most people skip the work of trying to truly understand because they’re afraid they’ll seem complicit. Say someone commits a violent crime. Trying to understand the familial, socioeconomic, and systemic circumstances that factored in – developing empathy for this person – does not mean you condone the behavior or that you care any less for the victim of their crime. You are not doing any good to the cause of peace of justice or whatever you claim to stand for by refusing to understand people (however fucked up and misguided they may be).
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Ok that’s long enough, maybe I’ll drop some fun ones in another post lol bye
Jul 17, 2024
Top Recs from @solomonki
Recently passed a couple license plates with these dealership names on them.
Lexus of Glendale
Nissan of Orange
Beautiful!
Apr 18, 2024
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to reveal a new bird. looks like we have a beautiful osprey for July!
Jul 1, 2024
Mar 21, 2024