The drama of drama

[ArilynSkye]

I felt like posting my thoughts, in the off chance I'm lucky enough that someone finds it interesting enough to read.

I've always felt like immaturity is much too prevalent in the world. Although human beings are capable of practical thought and the willpower to resist our compulsions, the vast majority of us nevertheless still seem enslaved by emotions and basic impulses. And what I mean by that is that people are prone to lash out or act out in anger, rather than consider a situation logically and consider the best course of action. They let their emotions make their decisions instead of their minds. Or are too easily swayed by temptation and personal gain. And online gaming only makes it that much more apparent.
Such impulses were given to us by nature, from a time when before we were a self-aware race, and like all animals could only react in the way our instincts were imprinted to react. Which is not to say I don't believe emotions and impulses are important, they certainly are, but I also believe that the true potential of the human race is in our ability to override such instincts in favor of more practical choices. A potential that, sadly, I feel is far too underused.

As a person, I believe very strongly in self-discipline. I try to consider every matter carefully, as well as my response. If an action does not improve a situation, then I don't do it. I take the time to make sure I know what I'm talking about before I start talking about it. I use my emotions as a guide to determine what I want, and I use my mind to determine the best method of achieving it.

I live by a quote
"Every problem is merely a puzzle, it's simply a matter of determining the right answer."

And with this frame of mind it is my hope that I can continue to aspire to the full potential that our evolutionary gifts have provided us.

You feel me, brah?

[PapaSteel]

At the same time, there's something to be said for raw passion and gut instinct.

I think your base argument has to do with the idea that logical thought promotes civility, which is of course true. But you make safe statements like how you think everyone should "consider a situation logically and consider the best course of action," which will have about as many disparaging replies as "I think war is morally wrong." I feel that what you're looking for here is people to agree with you.

Well, tough luck, sister!

I like anger and that entire breadth of animal impulses. I find them to be incredible motivators. Frankly, that Vulcan logic about self-discipline being tied to our 'evolutionary potential' can kiss my left cheek - I'll take love, excess, ferocity, stupid goals and hangovers the next morning any day of the week.
You say that you use your emotions to figure out what it is you want, then put your mind to achieving them. I'd call that the SECOND best option, and that you should try the reverse some day.

"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
- Douglas Adams, who would probably very much resent being quoted like this

[ArilynSkye]

Oh if everyone agreed with me then it wouldn't make for a very interesting discussion, and neither would it give me anything to think about. Even during times when I believe I'm right, it doesn't make me so close-minded as to disregard other people's points. In fact, rather than posting for validation, the best way for me to judge the integrity of my own perspectives is to consider how sound the arguments against them are.

In this case, while I can certainly agree that emotion is a powerful motivator, immersing yourself in it as you seem to suggest seems reckless to me. And though some people may prefer that kind of wild recklessness, I think it's as like to be counterproductive or have unpredictable results, and more often than not it'll only escalate an unfavorable predicament into something worse.
You can emotionally reinforce your resolve and still maintain a presence of mind to consider your choices. As I said before I still believe strong feelings are important for that very reason. But to act impulsively on feelings alone? That's like choosing to try and jump a canyon with your bike. It's fun and wild, but hardly smart and liable to have some bad repercussions.

[anceru]

Thanks ArilynSkye for restoring my faith in humanity.

[GeekMatt]

I like your point, but you're being too general. While we're throwing around quotes, I'll go with "Everything in moderation, including moderation". Dunno who wrote it, but it applies here and its, well, it's a retarded quote but it's point is spot on.

Shutting off and analyzing a circumstance is beneficial, but only when you do it willingly, when overriding instinct is instinctive you're gonna be stressed and depressed until you relearn to react to things naturally, which is not easy. It's not immaturity, as frustrating as it is to accept, its human and when you don't have it then you're the one at a loss.

[Wardevil]

you all are missing the best quote of all... sums everything up nicely.

"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get." - The man, Forrest Gump.

Just live life and don't overthink it.

[kappasig_nu_up]

philosophy on how to conduct oneself through life on a video game chat forum...

[BlackShroudMercs]

Interesting topic, IMO..

I believe, (like many others) that the anonymous nature of the internet, or video games, provides people with a "stage" of sorts to...for lack of a better phrase "show their ass".

I truly believe that somehow, if you could examine a char and see the RL person behind it, their name, face, etc...people would act a lot differently.

Why not create drama? The consequences are rare and only result in a temp ban in most cases. This is the mentality most gamers carry today.

"Why can't you do it like I do? If I can do it, and you can't, you must suck."

Mistakes are not forgiven, play styles are judged and ripped apart. I fear for the future of MMOs, and all online games.

I see the decline perpetrated by COD mentalities and other games that breed this sort of behavior.

Or maybe people just turned foul at some point, I take solice in the fact that good people still remain in game, and in life, if you want to go to that large of a scale with it.

[killergerms]

you all are missing the best quote of all... sums everything up nicely.

"Duty Finder is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get." - The man, Forrest Gump.

Just live life and don't overthink it.

Fixed it for you

[ArilynSkye]

What some of you have stated as over-thinking, I was under the impression was just plain thinking. It all comes down to the principle of think before you act. And okay, for someone accustomed to more impulsive action, maybe it's a little stressful attempting to resist those impulses. But is it more stressful than someone ripping on a person because they said something ignorant or uninformed? Is it more stressful than when said person then feels the need to rage at the other person for stinting their image?
I've found that by maintaining some emotional stability life is a lot less stressful, I'm easy to get along with which makes people want to hang around me more, talk with me more, respect me more. If it's less stressful to battle emotional payloads with someone else than it is to simply consider your actions prior to doing them, then perhaps therein is the problem within our society.

And before someone puts my words into direct action against me here, let me just clarify that I'm not saying "Hey, you guys are stoopid! ", I'm not directing my words at anyone in particular, I'm just saying "If this is the case, then maybe this is the problem". I'm smart enough to discuss, but I'm not arrogant enough to presume to judge others.

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On another note, while my experiences have suggested that drama can, in fact, do some good for communities/clans/free companies, (which is a whole other discussion I won't get into right now) nevertheless as an individual I don't want to be the kind of person prone to causing it.