Saw this image on Facebook the other day and laughed as I realized how we often judge each other in the most absurd and superficial ways. I laugh because I have had such judgments about people who use certain types of technological toys - even that word "toys" is a bit of a judgment. Isn't is sadly absurd how we often view each other over the strangest things like the cars we drive, the neighborhood we live in or the brand of smart phone that we use.
What absurd judgment have you made lately? Why do you think that we all do it? Are we, at a core level, that insecure? Do we need to feel good about ourselves and our belief systems at the expense of others? This sort of judgment is quite absurd yet, for the life of me, I do not know why I continue in it? What do you think? Are we really that sick? Why can't we stop?
Why do we continue to judge each other when we know at a deep level that it is wrong? What kind of sick joy does it bring us to treat each other this way?
Absurd is the word for it. And it is wrong.
Can't really relate to this one because I'm so backward in technology I hate to have to use Mickey's simple cell phone. Give me that old hand held TELEPHONE :o) I do really judge people with tatoo's all over them and know that I cannot and do not see their hearts :o(
ReplyDeleteSeeing past the outer appearances and into their hearts. Yes. Great thought Susan!
DeleteGreat questions! I think the answer is "yes." There IS insecurity and we DO like to feel better about ourselves.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that (in some cases) it's also a matter of convenience? When we see or meet someone, we make snap judgments (consciously and unconsciously) in order to interact with people. With increased knowledge of the individual we may determine the accuracy of our evaluation, but at least for those initial interactions we rely on those assumptions.
Maybe the hard part is making such judgments in a non-judgmental way! I strive (often unsuccessfully) to approach people without those presuppositions. It's just difficult to fight my default mode. :D
Thanks Nephos. Using assumptions and stereotypes might help us initially but probably hurts us in the long run.
DeleteBob, still using Blogger? Sheesh! Don't you know all the cool people are using Wordpress? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI've gotten much better over the years at catching myself when I make these kinds of judgements. Regarding phones and computers, I tend to be platform agnostic these days, so I don't really have that problem.
Susan mentioned tattoos and that is one that I think we as a society are getting better about, because we see so many of them. My only judgement of people who are all tatted up is to wonder what their career choice is. I've seen a few people who were covered in tattoos below the neck, but dressed in full business suits for work, so you would never know, but if a tattoo is above he neck then I always wonder what they do for a living or what their career goals are.
Nephos, your comment resminds me of this dialogue from the George Clooney movie Up In The Air.
Ryan Bingham: [on getting through airport security] Never get behind old people. Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Bingo, Asians. They pack light, travel efficiently, and they have a thing for slip on shoes. Gotta love 'em.
Natalie Keener: That's racist.
Ryan Bingham: I'm like my mother, I stereotype. It's faster.
Labels and judgements sure can be convenient at times, but we just have to make sure they aren't deeply rooted, as we will sometimes judge incorrectly.
Love the "Up In The Air" dialog Mike! We all use that kind of rationale for the folks we don't actually know. It becomes problematic when we start believing the stereotypes.
DeleteVery true.
DeleteMike, very funny lines! That sums up my point quite well! :D Now I may have to watch the movie. I pre-judged it because George Clooney was in it. ;)
DeleteHard to believe I never wrote a review for that movie. Must be why Nephos never watched it. :)
DeleteOuch...
ReplyDeleteI don't want to do it but it seems to creep up anyway.
Why do we judge? I guess we want to see ourselves in the better light.
Good point Sue! Judging is almost never about them but about us.
DeleteFunny picture. I don't have a smart phone at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you've seen this one about how different denominations see each other:
How Different Denominations see each Other
Now that image says it all Ma! Religious people seem to be the worst in the ways that we judge each other.. it is like those "other" folks are atheists instead of family members.
DeleteCould not resist Ma! I just added a quick post (with kudos to you) using the linked to image.
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